Today, we’re diving deep into a topic that’s close to our hearts – interview techniques. We’ve all been there, sitting in an interview, feeling like we’re just not getting the information we need to make a confident hiring decision. Fear not, we’re here to help you turn your candidate conversations into gold mines of insight, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your team.

Preparing for the Interview

Develop a Structured Interview Plan

The structured interview is your roadmap. Having an outline of topics and questions you want to cover helps you stay on track and ensures consistency. Imagine you’re a pilot; you wouldn’t take off without a flight plan! Similarly, an interview plan helps you avoid those awkward silences and missed opportunities to ask important questions.

Review the Candidate’s CV

Spend some quality time with the candidate’s CV. This isn’t just about scanning for job titles; dig deep. (Or come to Charterhouse and we will do the digging for you). There was one instance where we discovered that a candidate had successfully led a volunteer project that was directly relevant to our client’s charity wing – something not immediately apparent without a thorough CV review. This became a major talking point in the interview, giving us valuable insights into their skills and passion.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Build Rapport

Making a candidate feel at ease can transform the quality of your conversation. Remember, the goal is to see the real person, not their “interview persona.” A little chit-chat about common interests can break the ice. Just the other day, one of our clients mentioned their love for football to a nervous candidate, which resulted in a 5-minute but very revealing conversation about their teamwork skills.

Set Expectations

Setting clear expectations can help assuage any anxieties your candidate might have. Explain the process and timeframe right from the start. “Today, we’ll spend the first 15 minutes discussing your background, then dive into some scenario-based questions for 20 minutes, and wrap up with any questions you have for us.” Trust me, this approach can make a significant difference.

Active Listening Techniques

Encouraging Openness

Active listening encourages more candid and revealing responses. Nodding, maintaining eye contact, and occasionally paraphrasing their answers go a long way. We remember interviewing someone who was initially quite reserved. Simple affirmations like, “That’s interesting, tell me more,” made them open up and share valuable insights.

Clarifying and Confirming

Ask follow-up questions to ensure you’ve understood them correctly. If a candidate mentions leading a team project, you might ask, “Can you walk me through your specific role in that project?” These follow-ups can unearth details that offer a fuller picture of the candidate’s abilities.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Bias Awareness

Being aware of both personal and systemic biases is crucial. Train your team to recognise and mitigate these biases. One of our clients realised they were unconsciously favoring candidates from certain universities. By making the interview process more structured and objective, they were able to diversify their talent pool significantly.

Over-reliance on First Impressions

First impressions are important, but they shouldn’t dictate your entire evaluation. A client once almost overlooked a brilliant marketer because their initial nervousness clouded their true ability. Fortunately, structured follow-up questions revealed their outstanding strategic thinking.

Providing Feedback and Next Steps

Constructive Feedback

Offer constructive feedback to your candidates. This not only helps them improve but also reflects well on your company. We remember when a candidate thanked us for the specific feedback on their interview; months later, they reapplied for a different role and became one of the clients’ best hires.

Clear Communication

Outline the next steps clearly. Let candidates know when they can expect to hear from you next. We can help with this of course! Transparency here can project a professional image and keep top candidates engaged.

So there you have it – Interviews are an art and a science. By preparing well, asking the right questions, actively listening, and continually refining your approach, you can make confident, well-informed hiring decisions. Remember, each conversation is a two-way street: an opportunity to learn as much about your candidate as they learn about your company. Implement these techniques, and you’ll soon find your interviews not just informative but transformative.

If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at Charterhouse Recruitment. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

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