Get the information you need to pick the right candidate.
December 03, 2024
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If you’ve never interviewed someone before and are now tasked with doing so, don’t worry. Like any other skill, you can master “job interviewing” with practice. Here’s some advice that can fast-track your learning: (src) Prior to conducting the interview, identify what skills the candidate must have versus what skills can be taught on the job; (2) Make sure your questions prompt candidates to share specific examples; (3) Practice with a peer beforehand, and ask them to give you difficult answers so you can navigate unexpected situations; (4) Set a positive tone at the start of the interview by asking the candidate about their day; (5) Take notes — don’t rely on your memory, especially if you’re interviewing multiple people; and (6) Evaluate the candidate — and your own experience conducting the interview.
I will never forget the first time I interviewed someone for a job. I had just started a new recruiting position, and with shaky hands, I dialed the candidate’s number. I stumbled through the screening questions in a voice more unsteady than theirs. Having a colleague shadow me only added to the pressure, but her feedback became the foundation for my growth. Over time, I conducted thousands more interviews, hired hundreds of people, and started enjoying the process.
Irina Cozma, Ph.D., is a career and executive coach who supports professionals to have better career adventures. She coached hundreds of Fortune 500 executives from global organizations like Salesforce, Hitachi, and Abbott. Irina also coaches startups and the Physicians MBA at the University of Tennessee. Download her free career guide to help you prepare for your next career adventure.
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