Interviews are a critical component of the recruitment process. Hiring managers must take the time to understand how to interview someone for a job. They need to pick out questions to determine if someone is a right fit for an organization. Asking targeted questions during job interviews boosts your chances of selecting the perfect candidate. They also help you save resources such as money or time wastage. In this article, we discuss why interviews matter and offer steps to make the most out of them.
In this Article:
Why are interviews important?
Job interviews are beneficial in a variety of ways, especially for employers. Through the interview process, employers have the opportunity to get to know candidates, how they answer questions and how they present themselves. It is an invaluable tool in getting the right person for the job. Job interviews also benefit the candidate by preparing them with how to talk about their skills effectively and provide more information than is included on a resume.
Additionally, when someone knows how to refer another person for a job, it allows them to build their network and promote connections which may come in handy down the road. Most importantly though, interviewing allows for two-way communication between employer and employee; creating a foundation for setting expectations from both sides. Job interviews offer amazing advantages that help make sure people are well-suited for a certain position.
Types of job interviews
When conducting a job interview, it is important to ensure that there is a consistent interview structure throughout. There are several types of job interviews to consider, such as:
One-on-One Interview
These are the most common form of interviews and involve interviewing the job seeker one at a time in a private setting. In-person interviews are the preferred option for most hiring managers, as it allows them to ask more detailed questions and get a better understanding of how the candidate would do in the role.
Group Interviews
A group interview typically involves interviewing multiple candidates at the same time and can be beneficial to check how well they can work as a team. A team interview is a great way to assess how candidates interact with one another and how they would fit into a team environment.
Presentation Interview
This type of interview challenges the job applicant to make a presentation based on the job description or given topic. It is an effective way to see how candidates think on their feet in addition to how well they can handle pressure.
Phone Interviews
This type of interview is done via phone. It provides the opportunity to get a sense of how qualified candidates are over the phone before getting to know them in person.
How do you start an interview?
You aim to make a lasting impression and come across as considerate, polished, and organized. Make sure you greet the candidate with a smile, warmly shake hands, introduce yourself and anyone else in the room, and thank them for coming to the interview.
Start the interview with a polite greeting: “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for coming in today.” This will set a positive tone and help the job candidate relax and be more open to answering questions.
What are 10 good interview questions?
- What are your biggest strengths?
- What do you know about the company/position?
- Why do you think you are perfect for this job?
- How would you handle a difficult customer situation?
- What challenges have you faced in previous roles and how did you overcome them?
- What type of work environment do you feel comfortable in?
- How do you handle working under pressure?
- Tell me about a time when you have had to think outside the box to solve a problem.
- Could you give an example of how your communication skills helped resolve an issue at work?
- What do you think sets you apart from other job candidates?
How to interview someone in 10 steps
To help you hire the right person for your job, here are 10 tips on how to interview someone efficiently and effectively.
1. Preparation for the job interview
Make sure to dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes for every single interview you conduct. By doing this during the interviewing process, you and job seekers can comfortably get acquainted without feeling rushed or pressed for time.
2. Research the candidate before they arrive
As a hiring manager, researching your subject’s background, work history, and accomplishments is important to gain an understanding of how they may be a great fit for the job. This can also help you think of questions tailored to their experience that could bring out more detail than generic ones.
3. Job description
Before conducting an interview, provide potential candidates with a job description. Add any additional details about the role that may be of interest. To quality candidates, study the job requirements and pinpoint the most crucial skills. Ask those who are already in a comparable role to give their thoughts as well.
Additionally, take a look at what kind of qualities people previously held when they filled this position. Gaining an extensive comprehension of what you need from someone will improve your chances of finding them through interviewing an ideal candidate.
4. Cover letter
Read through each candidate’s cover letter to gain an insight into how they present themselves professionally and how well-written their communication skills are. This can help you decide whether or not to progress with them in the interview process.
5. Resume
Reviewing a candidate’s resume can give you more information about their experience and how it may apply to the position they are applying for. Look out for how many years of experience they have in similar roles and how long they’ve held each role.
6. Interview process
The consistency of interviews for each candidate helps improve competition and smoothen the process. There are multiple types of interviews you can use, including one on one, panel, or team interviews. Depending on how many candidates there are, it might be better to conduct a group interview to save time and resources.
7. Ask relevant questions
Prepare a list of specific questions that are tailored to the job description so that you can assess how qualified the candidate is for the role. Include mixed skill-based questions that get to the heart of their skills and how they handle different scenarios, as well as open-ended questions that give them room to explain more detail.
8. Put the interviewee at ease
Creating a comfortable and safe space for the candidate is essential. While they are being interviewed, make sure they feel empowered to answer all questions honestly and openly.
9. Listen attentively
It sounds like a no-brainer, but listening attentively to the interviewee goes a long way in helping you determine how much knowledge they have on the subject and how well they communicate. Give them time to think about their answers and make sure you don’t interrupt them or show any bias.
10. Evaluation
After each interview, take some time to review how the candidate performed in comparison to the requirements of the job. Evaluate how well their answers fit with those requirements and how well they communicated throughout. This will help you decide who is best suited for the role in the long term.
A word from SublimePeople
If you follow these tips during the hiring process, you’ll be on your way to conducting better job interviews and finding the best candidate for the position. Remember, preparation is key so take the time to do your research and practice your questions. And most importantly, stay calm and be yourself – the perfect candidate is out there waiting to meet you.
Do you have any additional tips for interviewing someone for a job? Let us know in the comments below!
