Polished Performances: Unveiling Interviewing Techniques

Did you know that over 87% of candidates revealed that a positive interview experience can make them reconsider a role or company they once doubted? [1] Interviewing techniques are very much an essential skill for recruiters out there, as they play a big part in breaking or making a successful hire. By setting clear objectives, anticipating potential questions and responses, and developing a structured approach, you can ensure a smooth and successful conversation in the long run. But is there more to it? In this article, we’ll dive into the key steps to prepare for a flawless interview, effective techniques you should know about, and more. Let’s get started!

Planning & Preparation: Key Steps to Master Interviewing Techniques

When it comes to conducting successful job interviews, proper planning and preparation are the foundation. Here are key steps you should take to ensure a solid interviewing process.

1. Define the job requirements: Before jumping into the interview process, set a clear understanding of the role you are hiring for. You can start by identifying key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications needed for the position.
2. Review resumes and applications: Take the time to review each candidate's resume and application before the interview. Highlight any relevant experience, skills, or qualifications that will be important to discuss during the interview.
3. Develop interview questions: Create a set of structured interview questions that are tailored to the job requirements and the candidate's background. These questions should help assess the candidate's skills, experience, and fit for the role.
4. Set up logistics: Make sure that all logistical details are arranged before the interview, including scheduling a convenient time for both you and the candidates, setting up a quiet and comfortable interview space, and preparing any necessary materials or tools.
5. Conduct research: Knowing the candidates beyond their CVs goes a long way. So, go online and research their profiles like LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. This will shine a light on candidates’ other dimensions. You’ll get to have a clearer picture of their interests and what drives them, then come up with personalized questions.
6. Prepare interview materials: Make sure to have all necessary materials ready for the interview, such as copies of the candidate's resume, job description, and interview questions. This will help keep the conversation on track and make sure that all key points are covered.
7. Practice active listening: During the interview, focus on actively listening to the candidate's responses and asking follow-up questions to gather more information. This will help you better assess their qualifications and fit for the role.
8. Take detailed notes: Remember to keep detailed notes during the interview to capture important details about each candidate's responses, skills, and experiences. These notes will help you make more informed decisions when it comes to selecting the most suitable candidate.

Aside from these steps, you can also leverage a tool like an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to help craft a smooth hiring process, including the interview stages. An ATS like Manatal offers vast HR resources to help you get a firm head start. You can take its interview question templates for several positions in various industries and adjust them to your requirements. You can also use Manatal’s Collaboration and Activities feature to manage and organize your interview with candidates and hiring managers, ensuring no overlap or overlooked appointments.

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Effective Interviewing Techniques

• Active Listening: One of the most important aspects of conducting a successful interview is active listening. This means fully engaging with candidates, paying attention to their responses, and showing genuine interest in what they have to say. This allows you to better understand your candidate's qualifications, skills, and experiences.
• Asking Probing Questions: Besides asking standard questions, it’s a plus to ask probing questions that require candidates to provide more detailed answers. These questions can help you assess their problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and overall fit for the position. Probing questions can also help uncover important information that may not be written on candidates' resume.
• Building Rapport: This is the key to creating a positive and comfortable interview experience. By establishing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, you can make candidates feel more relaxed and open during the interview. Building rapport can also help you gain insights into candidates' personalities and communication styles.
• Providing Feedback: During the interview process, it is important to provide candidates with feedback on their responses and performance. Constructive feedback helps them understand areas where they excel and areas where they may need to improve. Giving candidates feedback can also help them prepare for future interviews and increase their chances of landing a job offer.
• Using Behavioral Interviewing Techniques: Behavioral interviewing techniques involve asking candidates to provide specific examples of past experiences and behaviors to assess their skills and abilities. Focusing on actual behaviors and actions gives you a better understanding of how candidates may perform in the role. It also spotlights whether candidates are aligned with your company’s culture and values or not.
• Incorporating Structured Interviews: This strategy involves asking all candidates the same predetermined set of questions to fairly assess their qualifications and suitability for the role. Using a structured interview format helps you ensure consistency across all candidate assessments and make more objective hiring decisions. It also minimizes biases, giving everyone a fair chance at passing the interview.

Tips For A Successful Interview

Body Language

It’s a good idea to pay close attention to your body language during interviews. Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake to create a positive first impression. Avoid crossing your arms, fidgeting, or appearing disinterested. These can imply a lack of confidence or engagement with the candidates.

Communication Skills

Actively listen to candidates. Ask open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses, and provide clear and concise information about the role and your company. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse candidates. Practice active listening to ensure a productive conversation is a plus.

Follow-up Actions

After the interview, don’t forget to follow up with candidates promptly. Provide feedback on how they did in the interview, discuss the next steps in the hiring process, and answer any questions they may have about the role or company. This demonstrates professionalism and respect for the candidates' time and efforts throughout the interview process.

Emphasize Diversity and Inclusion

During interviews, prioritize diversity and inclusion by asking inclusive questions, promoting a diverse workplace culture, and ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates. Reiterate your company’s commitment to the DE&I initiatives and remember to showcase a welcoming environment that values different perspectives and backgrounds.

Conclusion

The interviewing process plays a big role in the recruitment pipeline as it can ultimately determine the success of a hire and set the tone for the candidate experience. We can’t say enough that interviewing techniques are one of recruiters’ ultimate tools that weed out irrelevant individuals and shine a light on the right candidates. So, before initiating the interview, you should familiarize yourself with the job requirements and be ready to provide insightful answers to candidates’ questions.

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Citations:

1. LinkedIn