8 Steps to Improve your Interviews as a Hiring Manager

Interviews can be an important part of the hiring process because they can help you get to know a candidate. You can use the interview meeting to determine if a person is a good fit for the open position.

1. Complete professional introductions

When you first meet the candidate, you can begin by shaking their hand or offering another professional greeting. Next, you can inform them of who you are, your name, your professional title and let them know that you're their interviewer. It can be a good idea to take note of their body language, tone and level of confidence during these initial stages of the interview process.


2. Begin with conversation and small talk

Rather than talking about the weather or asking about the candidate's commute, you may consider finding a common interest. Beginning the interview with small talk can help you relax and get to know the candidate while giving them a chance to become familiar with the space. It can also allow them to share information about themselves that they may not include in a response to an interview question.


3. Set expectations for the interview

Before you begin asking the candidate interview questions, you can set your expectations for the interview. You may include the structure, what kinds of questions you intend to ask, how long you expect it to take and what you're looking for in an ideal candidate. This often allows the candidate to relax and refine their responses before they answer your questions.


4. Make the interview a conversation

To help the candidate and yourself conduct an effective interview, you can focus on making the dynamic conversational. To do this, you can involve your active listening skills by nodding and making eye contact. You may also consider asking follow-up questions to help you explore the candidate's answers and better understand their patterns of thinking.


5. Gather important information

You can phrase most interview questions to make the candidate you're interviewing believe there's not one specific wrong or right answer. This may often encourage them to answer truthfully. By doing this, the candidate may be more likely to provide you with more information that you can use to evaluate how suitable they are for the position. For example, instead of asking a candidate, 'What is your experience level with spreadsheet software?', you could instead ask a more open-ended version of the question, like 'How do you use spreadsheet software in your current role?'.


6. Discuss your personal leadership philosophies

If the candidate's responses to your questions make you believe they are a good fit for the position and the company's culture, then you can begin to determine whether the company may be a good fit for the candidate. This can be where you discuss your company's values and your personal leadership approach to determine whether they align with what the candidate requires to be successful.


7. Allow the candidate to ask questions

The next step in the interview process is to allow the candidate to ask questions they may have about the position or the company. Typical questions a candidate may ask can include:

  • What opportunities exist for career advancement?
  • What is the company's dress code?
  • What is the company culture like?
  • Does the position require overtime?
  • When do you expect to fill the position?

8. Discuss next steps and end the interview

To conclude the interview, you can set expectations for the next steps in the process. If you want to meet with the candidate for a second interview, you can inform them about potential dates and times. It can be a good idea to communicate with them about their candidacy and about other interviews you plan to conduct before hiring. Be sure to inform the interviewee about when they can expect to hear from you with more information. (shared from indeed.com)

Two Ladies sitting around a table for an interview with an open laptop on the table, a glass of water and two tea cups

Ace Your Interview: Proven Strategies

By Valery Taboh • September 24, 2024
1. Research Deeply and Tailor Your Responses Beyond the Company: Understand the industry, recent news, and the company's competitors. Tailor Your Responses: Connect your experiences and skills directly to the specific job requirements and the company's goals. Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize skills that align with the job description, even if they aren't explicitly mentioned. 2. Make a Lasting Impression Dress Professionally: Adhere to the company's dress code or opt for business professional attire. Body Language Matters: Maintain eye contact, smile, and use open body language to convey confidence and enthusiasm. Practice Active Listening: Show genuine interest by paying attention, nodding, and asking clarifying questions. 3. Demonstrate Confidence and Enthusiasm Positive Mindset: Project a positive and enthusiastic attitude. Highlight Achievements: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to share specific accomplishments. Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through while maintaining professionalism. 4. Ask Thoughtful Questions Show Interest: Demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and the role. Go Beyond the Obvious: Ask questions that reveal your research and understanding of the company's challenges and opportunities. Future-Oriented Questions: Inquire about the company's growth plans, projects, and career advancement opportunities. 5. Sell Yourself Effectively Quantify Achievements: Use metrics and data to highlight your accomplishments. Highlight Transferable Skills: Emphasize how your skills and experiences can benefit the company, even if they don't perfectly match the job description. Showcase Your Value Proposition: Clearly articulate why you are the best candidate for the role. 6. Seek Clarification Don't Hesitate to Ask: If you're unsure about a question, politely ask for clarification. Avoid Assumptions: Ensure you understand the interviewer's expectations. 7. Follow Up Promptly and Personally Thank You Note: Send a personalized thank-you email or letter within 24 hours. Recap Key Points: Briefly reiterate your interest in the position and highlight a few key points from the interview. Show Continued Interest: Ask if there's anything else you can provide to strengthen your candidacy. Additional Tip: Practice Mock Interviews Identify Weaknesses: Practice with a friend or mentor to identify areas for improvement. Build Confidence: Gain confidence by answering potential questions and practicing your responses. Get Feedback: Receive constructive feedback on your delivery, body language, and overall performance. By following these tips and incorporating recent trends in the job market, you can increase your chances of making a positive impression and securing the job you desire.

Fun and Creative Ways to Level Up Your Soft Skills and Career Potential

By Jonny Giddens • March 5, 2023
In today's job market, it's not enough to have technical skills - you also need to have a strong set of soft skills. These are the personal qualities and attributes that allow you to work effectively with others and include skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership. But don't worry, developing your soft skills doesn't have to be a chore! In fact, there are lots of fun and creative ways to improve your soft skills and show off your strengths to potential employers. Here's why soft skills matter, and how you can improve them in style: Effective communication: The ability to communicate clearly and confidently is key in any job. Why not practice your communication skills by joining a public speaking club or taking an improv class? You'll have fun while improving your ability to express yourself and connect with others. Teamwork: Many jobs require you to work as part of a team, so it's important to be able to collaborate and build relationships. A fun way to improve your teamwork skills is to sign up for a group activity like a cooking class or a painting workshop. You'll learn how to work with others while having fun and being creative. Problem-solving: Being able to think on your feet and find creative solutions is essential in today's fast-paced work environment. To improve your problem-solving skills, try playing strategy games like chess or solving puzzles like Sudoku. These activities will challenge your brain and help you develop your critical thinking skills. Leadership: Strong soft skills are crucial for effective leadership. If you're looking to develop your leadership skills, why not try volunteering for a local non-profit or leading a group project at work? You'll get to practice your communication and decision-making skills while making a positive impact on your community. Positive work culture: Soft skills can also help create a positive work culture. To improve your ability to work well with others, why not try joining a sports team or a book club? These activities will help you build relationships with others and develop your communication and teamwork skills. So, there you have it - some fun and creative ways to improve your soft skills and show off your strengths to potential employers. Whether you're practicing your communication skills through improv, collaborating with others on a group project, or solving puzzles to improve your problem-solving skills, there are lots of enjoyable ways to develop your soft skills and achieve success in your career. So get out there and have some fun!
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