Interviewing Essentials: How to Interview Candidates

Greg Johnston

As a recruiter, one of your most important responsibilities is interviewing candidates. A well-conducted interview can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s skills, experience, and personality, and help you make informed hiring decisions. In this article, we’ll cover the need-to-knows about interviewing candidates to help you conduct effective interviews.

1. Prepare for the Interview

Before conducting the interview, take time to prepare. Review the candidate’s resume and application materials, and develop a list of questions that will help you determine if the candidate is a good fit for the position and your company culture. Be sure to also familiarize yourself with any relevant laws or regulations related to interviewing, such as anti-discrimination laws.

2. Create a Comfortable Environment

The interview should be conducted in a comfortable environment that is conducive to open communication. Choose a quiet room with comfortable seating and ensure that there are no distractions or interruptions. Start by introducing yourself and the purpose of the interview, and put the candidate at ease by making small talk and asking open-ended questions.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions

During the interview, ask open-ended questions that encourage the candidate to share detailed information about their skills, experience, and qualifications. Avoid leading questions that suggest a particular answer or bias, and focus on questions that help you assess the candidate’s fit for the position and your company culture.

4: Use Behavioral Interviewing Techniques

Behavioral interviewing techniques involve asking candidates to describe past experiences and behaviors that demonstrate their skills and abilities. This approach helps you gain insight into how the candidate has performed in similar situations in the past, and can help you predict future performance. Use questions such as, “Can you describe a time when you had to solve a complex problem?” or “How have you handled conflicts with coworkers in the past?”

5: Listen Carefully

During the interview, listen carefully to the candidate’s responses and ask follow-up questions to clarify their answers. Pay attention to their body language and tone of voice, as these can provide clues to their level of enthusiasm and confidence. Take notes to help you remember important details, and avoid multitasking or interrupting the candidate.

6: Close the Interview and Provide Feedback

At the end of the interview, thank the candidate for their time and let them know what the next steps in the process will be. Provide them with an estimated timeline for the hiring decision and let them know when they can expect to hear back from you. After the interview, provide feedback to the hiring manager and team to help inform the hiring decision.

Interviewing candidates is a critical part of the recruitment process. By preparing for the interview, creating a comfortable environment, asking open-ended questions, using behavioral interviewing techniques, listening carefully, and closing the interview and providing feedback, you can conduct effective interviews that help you make informed hiring decisions.