How to Conduct a Job Interview

How to Conduct a Job InterviewHow to Conduct a Job InterviewConducting an interview with a job candidate seems easier than it is. And thats the problem. Many managers and small business owners think they know how to conduct a job interview and dont realize that the process must extremely well-planned. Establishing a consistent, methodical approach is key.Conducting an interview is one stage of the hiring process where preparation and structure are essential. By having a system in distributionspolitik that allows an objective standard on which to base your decisions, youll overcome interviewing pitfalls and identify the best person for the position.Knowing how to conduct an interview also means knowing how to prepare for the meeting. Heres a checklist of things hiring managers should do before conducting an interview1. Review the job descriptionThoroughly familiarize yourself with the job description, especially its hiring criteria. Does it accurately reflect the current requirements for the position? If so, great. If it seems outdated, give it an update so you can focus on relevant criteria during the interview.REQUEST TALENT2. Review the candidates work historyReview everything the candidate has submitted to date resume, cover letter and any additional materials. Note any areas needing clarification, such as quirky job titles, gaps in work history or hobbies that may reveal aspects of the candidates personality that can have a bearing on job performance.3. Schedule it outSet up a general structure for the interview. Create a basic schedule for the interview so that, as the meeting progresses, you reserve enough time to cover all the key areas you want to address. Adhering to a schedule will help you begin and end the session on time, allowing you to be mora efficient and show that you respect the candidates time.4. Prepare key interview questionsWrite down the questions you intend to ask. Develop your questions from the areas of the candidates background that deserve the most attention, based on the job description and your hiring criteria. Its handy to have the list of questions during the interview, but be sure to maintain eye contact with the candidate during the conversation. Try to commit your interview questions to memory.5. Meet in a comfortable settingBefore conducting an interview, make arrangements to hold it in a room thats private and reasonably comfortable. Generally speaking, a conference room is a better place for conducting an interview than your office. But if your office is your only option, try to create a calm environment. Clear your desk, close the door and mute your phone so calls go to voicemail or are forwarded elsewhere. Tags