Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Learn How To Interview Applicants

Learn How To Interview Applicants

So you are hiring new employees and have narrowed your stack of resumes to the 10 or so top candidates, now it's time to start setting up interviews. If you dread this portion of the process, you're not alone. Fortunately, there are some ways to put both yourself and the candidates at ease - and make sure you get all the information you need to make a smart decision. Start by preparing a list of basic interview questions in advance. While you won't read off this list like a robot, having it in front of you will ensure you cover all the bases and also make sure you ask all the candidates the same questions.

The initial few moments of an interview are the most crucial. As you meet the candidate and shake his or her hand, you will gain a strong impression of his or her poise, confidence and enthusiasm (or lack thereof). Qualities to look for include good communication skills, a neat and clean appearance, and a friendly and enthusiastic manner.

Put the interviewee at ease with a bit of small talk on neutral topics. A good way to break the ice is by explaining the job and describing the company - its business, history and future plans. Then move on to the heart of the interview. You will want to ask about several general areas, such as related experience, skills, educational training or background, and unrelated jobs. Open each area with a general, open-ended question, such as "Tell me about your last job." Avoid questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no" or that prompt obvious responses, such as "Are you detail-oriented?" Instead ask questions that force the candidate to go into detail. The best questions are follow-up questions such as "How did that situation come about?" or "Why did you do that?" These queries force applicants to abandon preplanned responses and dig deeper.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

-If you could design the perfect job for yourself, what would you do? Why? -What kind of supervisor gets the best work out of you? -How would you describe your current supervisor? -How do you structure your time? -What are three things you like about your current job? -What were your three biggest accomplishments in your last job? In your career? -What can you do for our company that no one else can? -What are your biggest strengths/weaknesses? -How far do you think you can go in this company? Why? -What do you expect to be doing in five years? -What interests you most about this company? This position? -Describe three situations in which your work was criticized. -Have you hired people before? If So, what did you look for?

Your candidate's responses will give you a window into his or her knowledge, attitude and sense of humor. Watch for signs of "sour grapes" about former employers. Also be alert for areas people seem reluctant to talk about. Probe a little deeper without sounding judgmental.

Pay attention to the candidate's nonverbal cues, too. Does she seem alert and interested, or does she slouch and yawn? Are his clothes wrinkled and stained, or clean and neat? A person who can't make an effort for the interview certainly won't make one on the job if hired.

Finally, leave time at the end of the interview for the applicant to ask questions - and pay attention to what he or she asks. This is the time when applicants can really show they have done their homework and researched your company, or rather, that all they care about is what they can get out of the job. Obviously, there is a big difference between the one who says, "I notice that your biggest competitor's sales have doubled since launching their Web site in January. Do you have any plans to develop a Web site of your own?" and the person who asks, "How long is the lunch break?" Also, candidates who can't come up with even one question may be demonstrating that they can't think on their feet.

End the interview by letting the candidate know what to expect next. How much longer will you be interviewing? When can they expect to hear from you? You are dealing with other people's livelihoods, so the week that you take to finish your interviews can seem like an eternity to them. Show some consideration by keeping them informed. During the interview, jot down notes (without being obvious about it). After the interview, allow five or 10 minutes to write down the applicant's outstanding qualities and evaluate his or her personality and skills against your job description and specifications.





Learn How To Interview Applicants - To learn more about this author, visit Jeff Casmer's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Joe Dager
Joe Dager is President of Business901, a progressive coaching company providing no-nonsense direction in areas such as Lean Six Sigma Marketing and organized referral marketing. What others say: In the past 20 years, Joe and I have collaborated on many difficult issues. Joe’s ability to combine his expertise with “out of the box” thinking is unsurpassed. He has always delivered quickly, cost effectively and with ingenuity. A brilliant mind that is always a pleasure to work with.” - James R. If you want to learn more about Business901, start a conversation with us. We can be found @ Web/Blog: Business901.com Web/Blog: FundingYourNonprofit.com LinkedIn Profile Follow me on Twitter - Visit Joe Dager's Website

Linda Richardson
Linda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Jeff Casmer
(Visit Jeff's Website) Jeff Casmer is an work at home expert and work from home business owner. His "Top Ranked" Earn Money at Home Directory gives you all the information you need to find, start, maintain, and prosper with your very own legitimate Work at Home Job or Business in the 21st century.

Jeff Casmer is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Jeff Casmer's

Complete
List Of
Home-Based-Business
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Jeff Casmer's Complete List of Home-Based-Business Articles For FREE!

More Jeff Casmer
New Years Resolution for 2009 Start Earning Money at Home
5 Promotional Strategies That Will Guarantee Increased Traffic To Your Website
The Incredible Four4 Underestimated But Effective Ways To Grow Online Business
Online Home Based Business Long Tail Keywords Are Much Easier
Earn Money with Ezines Are Ezines Still Worth My Time
4 Most Popular and Quickest Ways Start Working From Home
Essential Tips For Success In Your Work From Home Business
2008 Getting Started in a Work at Home Business
4 Things Every Successful Affiliate Marketer Must Have
Internet Marketing With A Laid Out Strategy
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
John Power  
Dianne Crampton  
David Acheson  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Workplace Culture Icon Workplace Culture
Free SEO Report Icon Free SEO Report
Article Syndication Icon Article Syndication
ACES Research Report Icon ACES Research Report
Valley of Death Icon Valley of Death
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
 
Top 50 Diversion Blogs
Top 50 Diversion Blogs
Top Diversion Blogs of 2009
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Afi Tsigbe Kpalimé, Togo,
Afi Tsigbe
Kpalimé, Togo
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Julie Mitchell, $470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Julie Mitchell
$470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Dana Zita, > $2.5 Mil in revenues
Dana Zita
> $2.5 Mil in revenues
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter
Tony Robbins, AR Companies
Tony Robbins
AR Companies
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Zig Ziglar, See You At The Top
Zig Ziglar
See You At The Top
Michael Gerber, The E Myth
Michael Gerber
The E Myth
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     How to get an employee to resign
By Michael Smyth
     How to stop your business partner ripping you off
By Michael Smyth
     Where the Bible teaches us how to improve our cashflow
By Michael Smyth

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information