How to Conduct Effective Interviews: 6 Important Considerations

I know I usually do not write about "management" type topics... but I hope you still enjoy this listicle. You can perhaps refer to it if you have never interviewed anyone in your career thus far OR need a refresher after not having done it in a while.

To get started, let's recall the objective of the exercise:

1 - Objective

To learn as much as possible about the interviewee while establishing and maintaining an excellent reputation for your firm.

You have to do something ahead of the actual meeting:

2 - Preparation

- Review the candidate's resume and application materials thoroughly before the interview.

Let's move on to the timeline of the actual event:

3 - Structure of a Professional Interview

A. Introduction (5 minutes):

? ??- Briefly introduce your company, department, and yourself.

? ??- Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

B. Candidate Introduction (5 minutes):

? ??- Invite the interviewee to share their background, experience, and interests.

? ??- Listen attentively and show genuine interest.

C. Question and Answer (30-40 minutes):

? ??- Use questions that start with "Tell me about a situation where you had to... and what was the result."

? ??- Encourage open-ended responses and practice active listening.

D. Closing (5 minutes):

? ??- Ask the interviewee if they have any questions or concerns.

? ??- Outline the next steps in the process and expected timelines.

There are a few things to take into account throughout the conversation:

4 - Remember

- Be empathetic, approachable, and transparent throughout the interview.

- Take notes and maintain eye contact.

- Showcase your firm's values and culture.

- Leave a positive impression, regardless of the outcome.

And you you're not done when you said goodbye to the candidate either:

5 - Follow-up

- Send a follow-up email thanking the candidate for their time.

Last, remember that there are also some actions you might want to very much avoid:

6 - Things to Avoid:

- Don't ask discriminatory questions about age, race, religion, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

- Avoid interrupting the candidate or dominating the conversation.

- Don't make promises about the job or compensation you can't keep.

- Refrain from discussing other candidates or making comparisons.

- Don't rush through the interview or appear disinterested.

By following this structure and avoiding these pitfalls, you can create a positive and informative interview experience for both yourself and the candidate.

What would you add / do different / omit? Please comment below.