The Characteristics of a Great Interview
By Koleen Singerline
The interview is one of the most important ways to assess a candidate’s ability to perform on a job, and it is also an opportunity to gauge a candidate’s personality traits. While there is added pressure on the interviewee to present themselves well, be prompt and know about the company, there are also pressures on the interviewer.
When conducting an interview, there are a number of ways to ensure its success. If you’re wondering what the qualifications of a good interview are,
keep in mind
the following:
-
Do Your Homework
– Prepare ahead of time. Review the candidate’s resume beforehand rather than during the interview. Assemble several interview questions early that you can ask, and make sure that they are a combination of leading, behavioral and open-ended questions. Know the type of candidate you are looking for and
their ideal qualities
.
-
Manage the Interview
– As the interview’s leader, you set the tone for the entire meeting. Tell your candidates that you are glad to meet them and thank them for coming to the interview. Explain to them the format of the interview and stick to the time frame that has been set. Don’t waste your time or your candidate’s time by prolonging the interview past what you schedule.
-
Take Notes
– Make sure that you write take interview notes so that you can review them later on. If you are interviewing several people for the same position, you will need to refer back to them for the highlights of each candidate.
-
Avoid Sensitive Subjects –
Steer clear
of questions about age, citizenship or marital status. While some job positions require you to ask if the person is authorized to work in the US, asking flat-out about these topics is illegal and could get you into trouble.
If you would like assistance in the interviewing and screening process, another option is to outsource to a
staffing firm
.