How to Conduct A Successful Interview: An Employer's Guide
Jul 02, 2024
Interviewing someone - especially if you have never done it before - can be a very daunting task. If you are feeling the worry, here are a few steps to follow to ensure the interview goes smoothly.
Interview Location
Make sure that you will be in a room where you will not be interrupted. Inform staff you are interviewing so you do not get disturbed.
Interview Day
Prepare for the interviews in advance, a few minutes preparation can help you feel more in control of the process.
Read through the candidate’s CV/application form; make notes about any areas you would like to cover in the interview. This may be relevant training or it could be job changes or reasons for leaving particularly if they have been frequent, and check for any gaps in employment.
The Interview
Be friendly and informal but professional. A relaxed approach makes the candidate open up and tell you all sorts of information, good and bad!
Information
Explain what they can expect to be doing, terms and conditions of employment, hours of work, holidays etc. Be aware that what is said during an interview or contained in an advertisement may be relied on later if a dispute arises in relation to contractual terms. You may also decide to show them round the company, especially the location where they will be working.
Interview Structure
Explain the purpose of the interview is asking questions about the information on their CV/application form and to find out more about their skills and abilities.
Advise the candidate that you will be taking notes and there will be an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions.
Ensure that each candidate is given the same amount of time and that similar questions are asked of each candidate. Equal treatment of candidates is an important factor within an interview.
Questions
Start with their present job first then work through chronologically through the previous jobs. Remember to ensure any gaps in employment are covered. Ask questions that require the applicant to draw on their experience and explain how they have “behaved” in the past.
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