Horror stories on interviewing people for a job

Yesterday I joined in at a client's virtual interviews of five candidates. Just to point out this was with a corporate company, for a high end executive role - the panel (of two) interviewing are highly experienced. To say I was shocked at how they started the interviews would be an understatement so thought I would write this article to remind us of what we are accomplishing (and not) when interviewing.

It is how you start, which determines how it goes

The interview was started by the company with a 'Please hang on we are not ready'. Already a bad footing ... and then an awkward silence.

Regardless if the team is ready or not, if someone from your company is interviewing a candidate, ensure you start with some pleasantries like 'great weather' or some small talk. This really helps to release some nerves of the candidate. You want to see the REAL human not the nervous one!

If you want passion, I suggest you show some for your company

Next the client went to tell the candidate about the company (with less enthusiasm I have seen in a while).

How can we expect candidates to be enthusiastic about your business, when your team/interviewers are just rattling along what the company is about? Add some excitement and passion for the brand, company, the team!

It is all about the background, for both of you

We often forget when we are interviewing, that our background counts just as much as the candidate. I hear clients complaining about candidates having messy backgrounds, or virtual backgrounds that just does not work.

You are advertising your company, I suggest you do the interview in a room with the best view of the company, of the vibe or of the view! You really want to make the candidate WANT to work there!

The client in this instance was in a boardroom with wires everywhere, and not showing the amazing office they have.

How is your memory?

Do you remember how you felt when you got the offer to work in the current business? Do you remember how excited you were? Do you remember before that going through an interview to get the job? Remember how nervous you were?

All candidates are nervous before an interview, the unknown like what questions will be asked, what clothes should I wear, I hope my PC/connection will be ok (or if in office how early should I get there), and the really want this job else I would not be wasting my time.

A BIG reminder we all human and nervous, take this into account - regardless how senior the role is. In the interviews yesterday all 5 candidates showed their nerves in different ways.

Leaving the best impression

Being in the recruitment industry we have heard of some shocking interviews (from both sides). Some times it really is just not the right fit, but often it may be how it started, or too many questions, or making up our minds in the first 60 seconds. But leaving a great impression, even if you do not hire that person will help your recruitment efforts later on.

You never know if this candidate knows someone who could be ideal for the role, or if they may become your supplier or customer next, or if you will see them one day when you have a flat tyre and need some help! Be human and great for your company!

We all forget why we are there - to bring a new member into the team because we do not have the expertise or time to do that job. Just be human - and treat that person the way you wanted to be treated in your interview for your job.

Interesting interview stories

And yes why you are reading this for some of those juicy stories of how an interview can go really badly:

• A client interviews a candidate for the wrong role and only realises 60 minutes into the interview (and does not tell the candidate)
• A candidate would not stop talking so the client just left the interview (it was virtual)
• A candidate who interviewed for a CEO role (virtually) with a bunny running up and down behind her during the interview

Sasha Knott, CEO and Co-Founder of Job Crystal, the recruitment business that is working tirelessly to #make a dent in unemployment by working with SME's and founders to recruit using AI, while show casing African Talent to the World!