How to run an effective interview session series continued...

#Tip ?5 of 10

Turn your interviews into conversations and not confrontations

Feeling harassed in an interview is not a new phrase to you if you have been a job seeker. I have encountered people who confess that their fear for interviews developed when in more than one instance, they felt confronted and harassed in interview sessions.

?One major way most candidates confirm they felt harassed in an interview is when they were asked questions they felt were completely off and irrelevant. An example is when interview questions become very personal.

?A few years ago, my high school classmate was actively job seeking. After making many applications, luckily, she landed several interviews. She narrated an encounter at one of the interviews?with which?she was very unhappy.

?She had been typically harassed in that panel, and she left the interview room convinced that this was not the type of employer she was looking for. Fortunately, she was successful and when the company contacted her to discuss the offer she declined.

As organizations look for good hires, candidates are also looking for good organizations to work for. Therefore , the interview process is a time that both the candidate and the organization assess each other for fit.

?Here is a quick?guide on how to turn interviews into conversations.

?Build rapport

Set the?pace of an interview conversation by having an ice breaker, which could be a question, a comment?or a compliment?which will quickly draw the candidate’s attention . Instead of rushing to the introduction and quickly turning the interview into a rigid Q&A session, take time to ask the candidate one or two ice breaker questions like, how did they find it, locating your office, how did they learn about the position and if they know?anyone working for the company etc.

Be Pleasant

?Noone will be free or at ease to have a conversation with people who look gloomy?or rather??do not show optimism. I recall two instances when I had attended interviews sometimes back?and?I?noted a panelist was very gloomy.In Fact even the way they were asking questions made me quite uncomfortable. I knew from the onset that even if I was successful, I was not going to accept the offers. Remaining pleasant throughout the interview allows both the interviewer and interviewee to enjoy the conversation?and creates?the desire to work for the company. It is important to note that as a panel you represent the company, and?candidates are able to tell how it?feels like?to work for your organization through?your interactions.

?Ask questions

?Both the interviewee and the panel play a key role in achieving conversational interviews. Asking the right questions throughout the interview engages both parties?and minimizes the chances of?turning the interview??into an interrogative engagement.

Be patient with candidates

?There are times, a question is?asked?and the interviewee?is either unable to answer or needs more time to think through. Allow?them time?to?organize their thoughts instead of quickly moving to the next question. Quickly rushing through questions and not allowing candidates time to think brings a sense of intimidation and can potentially affect how the candidate will respond to the remaining questions and the flow of the?interview.

?I hope this helps someone to do?better next time