BUSINESS
Stress-free interviewing
7 tips to help you - and the job candidate - relax by Erin Saunders, Leica Geosystems If you don’t do it on a regular basis,
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
UAC MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021
There are things you can do to help make an interview that could feel daunting or awkward a much more pleasant experience for both you and the job candidate.
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conducting interviews can feel daunting. There aren’t many regular situations where it is socially acceptable to ask a complete stranger questions about their past, personality, and work history. But interviewing is a crucial part of the recruiting and selection process. There are things you can do to help make an interview that could feel daunting or awkward a much more pleasant experience for both you and the job candidate.
1.
First think about the tactical and soft skills needed to be able to do the job. Review the position description and/or job posting. What are the technical and physical skills and abilities needed to do the job? Are there any special job-specific skills that you need them to have to be successful in the role? Next consider the soft skills. What kind of communicator do you want on your team? Will this person be interacting with customers or team members and need strong verbal communication skills, or will they be working alone in a role where that isn’t as important? Two of the most important things all employees need is an openness to feedback, and an
accurate sense of self-perception of their strengths and areas of opportunity.
2.
Once you’ve identified the tactical and soft skills needed for the role, set the stage for a good interview. This begins with a good setting. Many interviews have moved to being conducted remotely. If this is the case, make sure you’re in a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. If you’re planning on a video interview, make sure the lighting and setting is appropriate for the conversation. If you’re meeting face to face, make sure you have a space where you and the candidate can sit where it doesn’t feel overly formal or processed. The goal is that everyone feels comfortable and open. Open candidates are more likely to give you honest responses. Before you dive into the conversation, spend some time building rapport. Those first few minutes offer a chance to help the candidate feel at east by making natural small talk. Consider taking the time to build a personal connection before diving into the interview.
3.
Once you’ve built rapport, help the candidate know what to expect next. Let them know the format of the interview and check in with them. You could say something like, “I’d like to take a few minutes to give you some background on the company and the job, and then answer any questions you may have. Would that be okay?” This takes the pressure off of you to jump into asking unnatural questions and allows the candidate time to relax and compose themselves while learning things they need to know about the role. When you describe the role, try to anticipate questions they may have. What are the hours that are expected? Who will they be
