Here's how you can master the key skills interviewers should focus on learning.

1 Active Listening

Active listening is crucial during interviews. It involves fully concentrating on what the candidate is saying, understanding the information, and responding thoughtfully. To practice active listening, maintain eye contact, nod in affirmation, and avoid interrupting. Summarize what the interviewee has said to confirm your understanding. This skill helps you gather detailed information and shows the candidate that you value their responses, creating a positive interview experience.

2 Question Crafting

The ability to craft insightful questions is another vital skill for interviewers. Your questions should be open-ended to encourage candidates to provide comprehensive answers. Avoid leading questions that suggest a specific response. Instead, focus on behavioral and situational questions that reveal how a candidate has handled past experiences or would tackle hypothetical scenarios. This approach helps you assess their problem-solving abilities and suitability for the role.

3 Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes during an interview. It can either put a candidate at ease or increase their stress levels. Ensure your posture is open and inviting, maintain a friendly yet professional demeanor, and use gestures that indicate interest. By being mindful of your non-verbal cues, you create a comfortable atmosphere that encourages candidness and can lead to a more authentic assessment of the candidate.

4 Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of others. In interviews, high EI can help you build rapport with candidates and discern subtler aspects of their personality and work style. Pay attention to emotional cues and respond with empathy. This skill can be particularly useful when discussing sensitive topics or when you need to deliver constructive feedback.

5 Bias Awareness

Being aware of your biases is essential for conducting fair interviews. Unconscious biases can cloud your judgment and lead to unfair assessments. Continuously challenge your assumptions and strive to create an inclusive interview process. This might involve structured interviews where each candidate is asked the same set of questions, or working with a diverse panel of interviewers to provide multiple perspectives on a candidate's fit.

6 Feedback Delivery

Finally, mastering the art of feedback delivery is important for any interviewer. Whether it's positive feedback or areas for improvement, the way you communicate this information can greatly impact the candidate's perception of the company. Be clear, specific, and constructive in your feedback, and always offer it in a manner that encourages growth and development. This not only benefits the candidate but also enhances your employer brand.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?