From good to great: 10 steps to conducting a stellar job interview

First step: A thorough understanding of the job role

A recruiter’s first crucial step in a successful interview process is understanding the job role.

Use the job description as your trail map. And it’s best to chalk it all out before you even start conducting interviews.

Focus on the job requirements and the crucial day-to-day responsibilities listed in the job description:

- What qualifications and experiences are absolutely essential for job seekers?

- What duties would the candidates be expected to carry out regularly as new hires?

Your selection of questions and the criteria for selecting a candidate should be designed around the responses to these questions.

But don’t stop at the black-and-white text of the job description, rather, try to read between the lines and look for unwritten expectations. Look for behavioral cues or any unsaid expectation that the role may require. Create your interview questions considering all these aspects holistically.

Second step: Planning out your interview strategy

To elevate your interview process to new heights, it’s crucial to meticulously plan, strategize, and select the appropriate interview format.

For example, a structured interview with specific, job-related questions would be ideal for a detailed view of a candidate’s skills, work experience, expertise, and shortcomings.

A behavioral or situational interview would be your go-to if you aim to understand how a candidate behaves under certain circumstances.

Once you’ve selected the right type of interview, the next step is designing effective and practical interview questions.

Remember, your questions should assess the candidate’s ability to perform a specific task and their overall fit within your organization.

Tailor your questions to reflect the job offer, and be sure to avoid any that could be perceived as discriminatory.

Third step: Setting up a mutually comfortable interview environment

The interview setting can significantly impact a candidate’s performance.

Setting a comfortable interview environment begins with minimizing anxiety-inducing elements.

Choose a location that is quiet and free from interruptions. Ensure the space is professional but not overly intimidating.

The shift towards remote work settings has made virtual interviews more prevalent.

When conducting these, consider factors unique to this remote format.

For instance, ensure both you and the candidate have a stable internet connection to prevent technical disruptions.

Test your camera and microphone in advance, and encourage the candidate to do the same.

Regardless of the physical distance, try to preserve a personal touch, possibly by opening with a fun, lighthearted icebreaker.

The objective is the same whether it is done in-person interviews or online: to foster an atmosphere that supports the candidate being their authentic selves.

Fourth step: Following a consistent interview structure with all potential candidates

A successful interview requires adherence to a structured template.

This template forms the backbone of the interview, guiding the conversation and ensuring each key aspect of the role is addressed.

Start with an introduction–  this is your first chance to build rapport with the interviewee.

Then proceed to the main body of the interview, where you delve into your prepared  questions aligned with job requirements and candidate competencies.

Ensure a balanced mix of technical, behavioral, situational, and open-ended questions to comprehensively assess the candidate’s suitability.

Allocate time for the candidate to ask their questions, as this gives you insights into their priorities, aspirations, and career goals.

Conclude with a clear explanation of the next steps, managing expectations, and providing a well-rounded candidate experience.

Fifth step: Striking the right balance between listening and speaking

The trick to a successful interview lies in balancing active listening with thoughtful questioning.

As the interviewer, your role is to guide the conversation while allowing the candidate to demonstrate their skills and experience.

Active listening is the main ingredient here.

It’s not just about hearing the candidate’s answers but understanding their communication beyond the spoken language.

Pay attention to what’s being said, but also take note of what’s left unsaid.

This attentiveness enables you to ask follow-up questions that can lead to revealing discussions.

Sixth step: Identifying and assessing the delicate nonverbal cues

When evaluating a candidate, pay attention to their body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice as they can speak volumes about their confidence, authenticity, and comfort level.

Look for congruence between what the candidate is saying and their nonverbal cues.

If a candidate speaks positively, but their physical actions indicate discomfort, that’s a red flag.

Observe the candidate’s eye contact, which can signal confidence and sincerity.

Take note of their posture, which can denote enthusiasm and attentiveness.

Decoding nonverbal cues may be challenging, but with practice, it can greatly enhance a recruiter’s interviewing skills.

Seventh step: Be sure to follow up after an interview promptly

Imagine completing a marathon, crossing the finish line, and eagerly awaiting your time and rank, only to be met with silence.

Candidates experience similar uncertainty when left without follow-up after an interview.

The follow-up is an integral part of the interview process that impacts the candidate’s experience and your company’s reputation.

Providing feedback post-interview is not just a courtesy but a RESPONSIBILITY.

It helps candidates understand where they stand and how they can improve.

Aim to provide prompt, personalized feedback, highlighting the candidate’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Maintain a professional and respectful tone, focusing on performance rather than personality.

Eighth step: Making hiring decisions while staying clear of any biases

Incorporate structured evaluations into your hiring process to minimize bias and promote fairness.

Implement a standardized evaluation system, such as a scoring matrix, to assess candidates on the same criteria. These may include technical capabilities, social fit, and behavioral competencies.

Remember, bias can seep into the interview process unnoticed and it’s detrimental to your progress.

Take proactive measures to address and overcome unconscious bias, such as diversifying your interview panel, anonymizing resumes, and using predetermined evaluation criteria.

Provide training to your hiring team on unconscious bias to empower them to recognize and address their hidden personal biases.

Adopting Applicant Tracking Systems and other AI-enabled recruiting softwares can be very helpful in unlearning unconscious bias and fostering a diverse employee base.

Ninth step: Regularly refining your interview technique

Like any other skill, the key to mastering the interview technique lies in continuous refinement based on feedback and self-improvement.

Embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth and invite candidates to share their thoughts on their interview experience.

Encourage your hiring manager, human resources manager, and other interviewers to share their observations and suggestions.

Reflect on each interview, considering what went well and what could have been better.

Stay updated with the latest hiring trends, legal guidelines, and technological advancements to improve your recruiting metrics and maximize your CRM output.

In the end, consider leveraging AI-powered technologies, such as Recruit CRM’s AI candidate matching and resume parsing features, to enhance efficiency and stay ahead of the curve.

Tenth step: Staying informed about professional and legal guidelines

Nestled in the complexity of the interview process is a crucial aspect that often gets overlooked: legal guidelines.

Complying with interview laws and regulations is not optional but absolutely necessary.

Ensuring your process complies with federal, state, and local laws protects your company from legal issues, promotes fairness, and upholds ethical standards.

Discrimination, whether intentional or not, is one common legal pitfall to avoid.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) outlines clear guidelines prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Stay clear of any questions that could be seen as discriminatory, such as inquiring about a candidate’s marital status, age, or plans for children.

Data protection is another area that requires careful navigation.

As the recruitment process becomes increasingly digital, understanding and complying with data privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR is paramount.

Remember, interviewing is a skill that can regularly be refined.

Being on the other side of the table and learning how to conduct a job interview for the first time can be daunting. But the key is to learn, adapt, and strive for improvement with every interview you conduct.