Top 6 tips for leading a job interview

We are living in tense times that further complicate the daily situations we have to deal with. For two years the job market has been constantly changing and we must be prepared for every different situation.

Preparing for an interview is just such a case. The process of interviewing candidates not only stimulates the search for new talents, but also helps your business to be presented to new people and creates a reputable profile.

Good interview tips for employers focus on a wide range of factors that you should pay close attention to. In this article, Jobbri will share with you top 6 tips on how to conduct interviews in the best way possible.

Review applicants' CVs in advance  

The first step before interviewing selected candidates is to review their CVs. It's important to make a good first impression of the person opposite you and be familiar with their CV so you don't waste valuable time.

When you have a basic idea of each candidate's background as well as their skills, you will be able to steer the conversation in a direction that is connected to that information. Show candidates that you have taken the time to get to know their CVs - it will make them feel more confident and they will certainly appreciate this contribution of yours.

This can be crucial when choosing someone for a specific position. If you have a copy of their CV in front of you, you will be able to question them in more detail and check whether what they have written is accurate or not.

Prepare questions to ask in the interview itself   

Before you conduct the interview, you should prepare questions to guide the conversation. Make a list of the necessary qualities and requirements you have for the position and the perfect candidate.

You may find inspiration among your colleagues - what connects them; what makes them work as a unit; what are the qualities you value in them etc. Pay attention to the needs of the person in front of you. Ask him what kind of pay and benefits he would like for the job and how he would cope with working only from the office or only from home.

It's important to be flexible - show candidates that you're willing to negotiate if they give you the same in return. You can also assess one person's capabilities with different tasks. Submit an assignment and set a deadline, then evaluate performance. This will get you one step closer to deciding who to hire.

Give candidates peace of mind

We are all familiar with the fact that an interview can be extremely stressful. Putting candidates at ease can predispose them to relax and make the conversation much more enjoyable.

Offer them a glass of water or coffee; ask them if they need anything. These small gestures make a huge impression and will predispose any candidate.

Another thing you can do is explain to them how the interview will go. For example - starting with an introduction about the company, explaining the position and requirements; then questions from you to the candidate and finally they can ask theirs if there are any. This way, the person opposite you will have an idea how to structure their thoughts and will be far more relaxed without constantly being under pressure because of the unexpected turn of the conversation.

Stick to the same criteria for each candidate

Another key step not to miss is applying the same criteria to every candidate. Aim to ask related questions without invading people's personal space. Gather the same information for each candidate, so you can compare it later.

On Jobbri, you can put this into practice - compare the profiles of all the talents who have applied for your position, and then you can easily weed out the best.

"Sell" the job

If you decide that things are going well during the interview, then it's time to take the next step. In the second half, "sell" the position you are recruiting for.

Introduce the position and ask the person across from you if they would really be interested in working as part of your team. You can invite a sales manager to say a few words about the company and help the candidate in making a decision. If you are confident that the person opposite is the right one, be more definitive and declare your interest. Show what the benefits of working with you are and then give a set period for the candidate to consider the offer.

End the interview positively

One of the best job interview tips is the simple reminder to always end your conversation with positive emotions. Allow a few minutes toward the end of the interview for the candidate's questions. You can learn a lot about them and draw your conclusions accordingly.

Thank the candidates for their time, mention when you will contact them with a firm decision or for a future interview and wish them all the best. Your kind and professional demeanour goes a long way in making an interview a positive experience for everyone involved.

Conclusion

You have to remember that a job interview is not just a situation where you have conversations with different people. It is also an opportunity for you to "sell" your company and present the open position in an exceptionally effective way.

All the tiny details like preparing questions and treating candidates well can serve as motivation and predispose the person opposite you. Creating a pleasant atmosphere will help to make it a rewarding experience for both you as the employer and the candidates.

Do you have an open position but want to weed out the best talents before inviting them to a job interview? With Jobbri anything is possible! With our premium features, you'll be able to find the best candidates and move on to the next step - inviting them for a job interview.