Your company is growing and you have the exciting challenge to expand your team, congratulations! Part of our talent consulting practice involves coaching the leadership team on how to conduct an interview that will leave your candidate feeling nothing but over the top excited about the opportunity.
Below are a few pointers on how to lead an interview:
1. Tell the story: Show color on the evolution of the company. Why did the company start and what did it take in the first few years to get it running? What are the values and how do your employees live them out? This should take no longer that 10 minutes.
2. Challenge: Asking yes or no questions will not provide insight on the candidates’ ability to be successful in the organization. Think of the STAR model (situation, task, action, result) and ask questions that probe strategy, tactics and goals.
3. Engage: You want the candidate to feel like they have your undivided attention. Refrain from answering your phone, checking emails or letting other people come into the room during the interview. Hiring the top talent will take some selling on your end so make sure the candidate knows you are present and committed to the process.
4. Growth: Be ready to talk about how this person will add value to the company that will contribute to their professional development. Candidates also want to hear about the 2020 plan for the company. This part of the interview is typically when candidate become most excited and can start visualizing themselves being a part of the team.
5. Closing: Want to know how interested the candidate really is about the opportunity? Ask them! This is your chance to know if the chemistry is mutual. If you sense hesitation, call it out and ask them why.
Preparing for an interview is just as important for the interviewer as it is for interviewee. As we like to say at eQ, make it a remarkable experience for everyone!
As Talent Acquisition Manager, Jessica focuses on finding the right candidates to fit our clients’ needs. She works with our clients to understand the exact skills and attributes that would fit with the cultural climate and their environment.
