Optimizing Interviews - Tips for Employers

We all hear the horror stories of nightmare interviews that leave candidates running for the hills. Here are a couple tips companies can use to improve the interview experience both for job seekers and for their hiring teams.

Set The Stage

It is natural for candidates to come into an interview a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect. To help settle nerves and make a great first impression, take a minute to let the candidate know what to expect during the interview. Here is an example of what this could look like: "Over the next 30 minutes, we will tell you more about our company and this position, including why it is open. Then we want to dive deeper into your experience and areas of expertise. We should have time for questions before wrapping up by discussing next steps."

Ask Close-Ended Questions

When you are hiring for a position that has very specific criteria, such as requiring a professional license or certain level of education, ask Yes/No (also known as close-ended) questions. This will provide clear answers to the questions you need answered through succinct answers from the candidate, thus allowing you to be more efficient in the interview.

Leverage Behavioral Questions

When more than just a simple yes or no is desired, asking behavioral questions is often the best way to go. Behavioral Questions are those that ask for a specific instance in the past when a particular behavior was performed. For example, "Tell me about a time when you exceeded someone's expectations." Especially when coupled with follow-up questions from the interviewer, Behavioral Questions allow the interviewer to learn how a candidate has acted in a given situation in the past, which is often a great indicator of how they will act in that situation in the future.

Give Candidates the Opportunity to Ask Questions

The most impactful interviews are those where both the candidate and hiring team have opportunities to determine if the fit between the candidate, job and company appears to be strong. All too often, candidates are not given opportunities to investigate fit in the same way companies are. An easy and effective way to avoid this is to give candidates the opportunity to ask questions of the interviewer(s). When questions are asked by the candidate and answered transparently by the hiring team, candidates are able to further investigate potential fit from their perspective. When this is missed, it increases the likelihood of turnover and employee relations issues down the road.

Set Realistic Expectations

One thing companies can do to help minimize the frustration and anxiety job seekers experience is by providing clear and realistic expectations on when candidates should expect to hear back regarding next steps. The trick to doing this well is by giving yourself more time than you think you need to get back to the candidate. This way it provides some wiggle room should unexpected delays arise.