5 Tricks For Conducting the Best Interview

Interviewing for a job position is one of the most exciting and terrifying experiences most job seekers experience. But what about for the interviewer? 

Conducting a strong interview is pivotal when looking to hire a new client. It not only creates the candidate's expectations of how your company actually functions, but your demeanor, interest, and overall presence can just as easily sway the potential employee as to whether or not they even truly wish to work for your company. With that being said, here are 5 tips for being able to conduct an interview that will leave the applicant hungry for more from your company.

1. Rehearse what you are going to ask before the interview

It is common practice to rehearse before going in for a job interview when you are the one being interviewed. But when conducting the interview, it is equally important that you can provide your potential new employee with a solid foundation to base their answers off of. Being unsure, stuttering, or having to think too hard about what you are going to ask can all quickly result in a potential employee receiving the wrong impression right off the back. Make sure to review what questions you wish to ask beforehand, and potentially even bring in a list of them with you.

2. Do not compare the applicant to yourself

Make sure you keep the interview focused on the applicant. Everyone loves to talk about themselves, and the key is to engage the individual about who THEY are. Do not get too far off topic comparing yourself to them, as you can quickly forget that this person is unique from you and that you still have much to learn about them. Getting too far off topic about yourself can also result in you forgetting who the important party actually is in this scenario (hint: it isn't you).

3. Force yourself to see what color their eyes are

The importance of this tip is not so much to actually learn the color of the applicant's eyes, but reinforces the idea of strong eye contact. While the applicant may appear distant and unfocused should they refrain from making eye contact, the same can be said for the interviewer. By making yourself think about their eyes and what they look like, you are not only forcing yourself to look them in the eye, but also providing them a visual of you genuinely being interested in them and what they are saying.

4. Don't compare the applicant to anyone else during the Interview

Save the comparisons to other candidates for later. Right now you only have one person in front of you, and they are what matters. Dig in, and see if there is anything about them which can actually set them apart from your other candidates when you compare your notes later. They want the job as badly as you want to fill the job, so allow them to make the most of this opportunity.

5. Relax and get to know them

Conducting an interview can sometimes be every bit as nerve wracking as actually being interviewed. What is important is that you get to know the candidate to the best of your ability, and provide them the opportunity to really share who they are. Come with your questions prepared, stay focused, and have some good conversation. This allows them to best demonstrate who they are, and it allows you the best chance at putting the right people in the right seats at your organization.