As a manager and leader in your organization one of your key responsibilities is hiring the right people for your team. Below are a few practical tips to help you conduct effective interviews and make informed hiring decisions.

Preparation is Key

• Understand the role. You can’t effectively recruit if you do not know what is needed in the position. Review the job description thoroughly and identify key responsibilities, qualifications, and the essential skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate.
• Prepare your questions ahead of time - don’t just wing it! Develop a set of standardized interview questions to ask all candidates that align with the job requirements.
• Familiarize yourself with the candidate’s resume. Review the resume to understand key qualifications and highlight areas you want to explore further during the interview.

Create a Comfortable Environment

During the actual interview you want to create a welcoming and comfortable environment free from distractions. This will make the candidate more open and relaxed when answering questions and allow you to get a better feel for who they are. You can also make the candidate comfortable by building rapport - don’t just jump in with difficult questions! Start the interview with a friendly introduction and small talk to help the candidate relax. Explain the interview process and what they can expect during the conversation.

Ask Insightful Questions

Find sample questions using internet searches or use an AI tool, like ChatGPT.

• Behavioral Questions: Use these questions to understand how candidates have handled situations in the past. For example: "Can you tell me about a time when you faced a challenging project deadline? How did you handle it?"
• Situational Questions: Ask situational questions to see how candidates would approach hypothetical scenarios. For example: "How would you handle a conflict between two team members?"
• Technical Questions: Include questions that assess the candidate’s technical skills and knowledge relevant to the job.
• Cultural fit Questions: Ask questions that reveal the candidate’s values, work style, and how they align with your company culture. For example: "What type of work environment do you thrive in?"

When asking questions, you should be actively listening and letting the candidate do most of the talking. Give the candidate your full attention and ask follow up questions to encourage detailed responses. For example, "Can you elaborate on…?"

Conclude the Interview Positively

Encourage and allow the candidate to ask questions. Explain next steps in hiring process and thank the candidate for their time and interest to end the interview on a positive note.

Following these practical tips will help ensure a better hiring decision and a positive experience for the candidate. Remember that they are evaluating you during the interview as well. You want them to be excited about your job opportunity when they walk out the door.