Make a shortlist of your preferred applicants, and then give them clear instructions, such as your business’s location, what they should bring, who they should ask for and how long the interview will last.
Find a quiet space to conduct the interview, as your interviewee will most likely be nervous and will perform better in a relaxed, comfortable environment. Thank them for coming, describe your business and then describe the role being offered.
Be sure not to make the interview too conversational, even if you think the candidate is perfect for the role. Enquire about their work history, but also keep in mind the interview is designed to give you a picture of their overall personality – ask about their interests, hobbies, and how their personal values will complement your business.
Be sure to ask questions that invite the employee to open up about their employment history. Sometimes prospective employees will over-exaggerate their experience on a resume, so it’s important to have them describe specific situations.
Some checkpoints you might want to consider:
• Why has the person applied?
• Are they interested in the business?
• Do they have a realistic expectation of the job?
• Why did they leave their last job?
• What sort of hours are they prepared to work?
• How do they troubleshoot problems?
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
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