Top interviewing techniques to hire candidates 

How to define a successful interviewer?   

The role of an interviewer is pivotal in the hiring process. A good interviewer provides a positive experience for candidates. It is essential to follow the right interviewing techniques and use a combination of skills to assess candidates’ qualifications effectively. 

Being prepared 

A successful interviewer allocates time to get prepared before the interview commences. This involves carefully going through the job requirements expected to understand the skills and experiences needed for the role. They read the resume of the candidate in detail, identifying necessary details such as relevant work experience, skills, and achievements. Based on this information provided in the resume, a set of relevant questions is developed that will help them assess whether a candidate is suitable for the position.  

To ensure a successful interview process, it is better for the interviewer to have a structured interview plan. This plan includes the interview schedule detailing, the starting dates, the deadlines. Additionally, it should specify the reviewer responsible for reviewing the process or providing feedback on candidates and the approver who will finalize the hiring decision. The plan should outline the evaluation methods, such as rating scale used and the interview format, whether physical or online. 

Good communication skills 

Interviewers use different communication techniques and different interviewing techniques to assess candidates ‘suitability for the role. One way to evaluate a candidate’s suitability is by asking candidates open-ended questions. These questions help interviewers go deeper into a candidate’s qualifications and they can make more informed decisions regarding their suitability for the job role.  

Strong communication skills play a pivotal role in shaping a positive candidate experience. Clear communication during interviews can make candidates feel respected.  On the contrary, poor communication can lead to confusion and a negative perception of the company, ultimately impacting the candidate’s overall experience and discouraging them from seeking out opportunities with the organization. 

Active listening 

The interviewer must pay close attention to the responses given by candidates and ask follow-up questions to go deeper into certain points. When interviewers listen attentively, they show an interest in understanding what the candidates are saying. This can establish a comfortable interaction and make candidates feel at ease. Active listening also involves providing feedback to imply that their responses are being heard or understood. 

     Fairness 

Fairness is an essential principle in the interviewing process. All candidates must be treated the same way regardless of their background. They must be evaluated based on their qualifications rather than personal preferences. To achieve this, interviewers should use standardized interviewing techniques to ensure consistency across all candidates. 

     Knowledge about the job role 

Interviewers need a thorough understanding of the job role to evaluate candidates accurately. This understanding enables them to ask relevant questions that go deep into the skills and experiences of candidates relevant to the position, ensuring a thorough assessment of their suitability for the role. 

     Creating a comfortable environment 

Interviewers aim to create a comfortable environment to help candidates feel confident and perform at their level best. A friendly greeting and engaging conversation can help candidates relax, promoting a positive atmosphere before the interview commences. This can ultimately lead to a more productive exchange of information. 

Professionalism 

Interviewers maintain professionalism throughout the interview process. Being punctual, polite, dressing appropriately and thanking them for their time at the end of the interview. By doing so, interviewers can help create a positive impression of the organization and enhance its reputation as a desirable employer. 

Interviewing techniques to hire candidates

In recruitment, traditional interviewing techniques are improved by new approaches that use technology. Utilizing these interview techniques can help assess candidates’ skills.Each of the interviewing techniques can come with different advantages and using which interviewing techniques depends on the role being filled. 

One-way interviews 

One way interview is one of the new interviewing techniques that offers several advantages for both candidates and recruiters. For recruiters, it can be used for the initial screening process before proceeding to shortlist them. Also, recruiters can choose a convenient time to review, and they do not need to be present physically to interview candidates. From the candidate point of view, it gives candidates more time to consider their responses, which can lead to more thoughtful answers.  

Recruitment automation software like Hiretrace facilitates one-way interviews by providing a platform for candidates to complete the interview questions. These platforms often include features such as time limits, and the ability to re-record responses. This helps candidates feel more comfortable and prepared. 

Online video interviews 

Online video interview, also known as live video interview, is one of the interviewing techniques that act like traditional face-to-face interviews. They are conducted remotely using video conferencing software. In an online video interview, the candidate and the interviewer interact in actual time, allowing for immediate follow-up questions, clarifications, and a more conversational flow. 

Case interviews 

Case interviews are one of the interviewing techniques where candidates are presented with a specific business situation or problem and are asked to analyze it, develop a solution, and present their findings to the interviewer. These interviews are common in fields like finance, and other analytical roles where problem-solving skills are necessary. This approach helps interviewers assess a candidate’s ability to think on their own and prove their thinking abilities. 

Behavioral interviews 

Behavioral interviews are a type of job interview where the interviewer asks questions about past behavior. The idea behind these questions is that past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior in similar circumstances. 

In a behavioral interview, the candidate might be asked to describe a time when the person happened to face a particular challenge or achieved a specific goal. The interviewer will look for details about the situation, the actions taken. 

Group interviews 

Group interviews, one of the forms of interviewing techniques that involve interviewing multiple candidates at the same time. This type of interview is often used by companies to assess how candidates interact with others, their communication and teamwork skills. 

Skill assessments 

Practical interviews are a type of skill assessment that evaluates candidates based on their skills relevant to the job, such as their proficiency in certain fields. The assessments can take various forms such as written tests and practical exercises. Candidates are evaluated based on specific criteria relevant to the job, such as the quality of their work and their problem-solving ability.

Interviewing tips every recruiter should consider

Interviewing ability is an important skill for recruiters, as it directly impacts the quality of hires and the success of an organization. To excel in this area of recruitment, recruiters should be able to choose the right interviewing techniques while also considering the interviewing tips. These tips not only help assess a candidate’s qualifications but also go deeper into how suitable they are for the company culture.  

Being organized 

Before the interviews are held, it’s necessary to first identify the skills and qualifications you’re seeking in a candidate. Once these are established, it’s helpful to prepare a list of relevant questions that align with these skills and qualifications. These questions should be mentioned in a written format before the interview begins, ensuring that you cover all necessary topics. 

Determining the interview format greatly influences the interview process’s effectiveness. This involves choosing to go with an in-person, phone, or video format. Several factors should be considered, including the nature of the role, candidate location, time constraints and available technology. For instance, roles requiring strong communication skills can benefit from face-to-face interviews, while technical roles might need technical assessments. Also, if it is a remote position, phone or video interviews are more practical. 

Additionally, getting down points during the interview can help you remember important details about the candidate. This can be useful later in the decision-making process. 

Attentive 

Paying close attention to candidate responses is paramount. It entails observing the candidate’s tone, body language, and responses to fully understand their answers. Be attentive and gather information about what the candidate hopes to achieve in their professional life. This could include their desired career path, the type of roles they aim for, and their long-term goals within the field. This level of attentiveness helps assess the candidate more accurately, leading to better hiring decisions. 

Market the position 

During interviews, marketing the position would help candidates understand the company vision. Interviewers must emphasize job benefits like work-life balance and growth opportunities. Explaining the purpose of the role within the company helps candidates see the significance of their potential contribution. 

Time management 

In the context of interviewing tips, time management is vital during interviews to ensure that the conversation is productive. Recruiters should allocate a specific amount of time for each question, considering the interview’s overall duration. This helps prevent the interview from running overtime and ensures that all relevant topics are covered. By managing time effectively, recruiters can conduct interviews that are efficient, and respectful for both candidates and their own. 

Streamlining the interview process 

The recruitment management software enables you to automate certain aspects of the hiring process, from sorting through resumes to managing interview questions and scoring candidates. Hiring tools make it easier for the hiring team to work together. You can quickly share details about job candidates, discuss feedback from interviews. This means that everyone on the team is updated and can stay coordinated throughout the hiring process. 

Limit interview board 

Limiting the number of people on the interview panel makes the discussions more focused. It ensures that everyone on the panel plays an important part and reduces the chances of making candidates feel stressed and uncomfortable. Also, with a smaller panel, it’s easier for everyone to understand each other, leading to better decisions. 

But, it is important not to have too few panel members, because this could mean missing out on different viewpoints.  So, organizations need to think about how many people should be on the panel, considering how complicated the job is, the need for different perspectives, and making correct decisions 

Discussing about pay 

When hiring someone, it’s important to talk about how much you’ll pay them. Ask the candidates how much they expect to be paid for the job. If they expect an amount you can’t offer, they might look for another job instead. It’s better to know this early so you don’t waste time on someone who won’t accept the salary you can offer. Therefore, specifying the salary amount in the job description will help the candidates decide if they want to continue applying for the organization or look for other jobs. 

Maintaining consistency 

Maintaining consistency in interviews is indeed important. It involves asking the same set of questions from all candidates considering the position. It helps avoid bias and ensures that each candidate is assessed against the same set of standards. Additionally, consistent questioning makes it easier to compare the performance of candidates and make informed hiring decisions. 

Encourage questions 

As part of effective interviewing tips, it is necessary to allocate some time for candidates to inquire about their role and the organization. This practice of being candidate centric not only enables candidates to understand their compatibility with the position but also provides insights into their enthusiasm regarding the position. 

Informing candidates about future stages 

Informing candidates about the next steps of the interview process after the initial interview is vital for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates professionalism, which is important for building trust with candidates. Secondly, it helps manage candidate expectations, reducing uncertainty. Candidates can plan their schedule for upcoming interviews or assessments. Thirdly, providing clear details about the next steps enhances the candidate’s experience, regardless of the outcome. 

Conclusion

Are you someone new to the HR sector? If so, conducting interviews in a professional manner might seem a bit challenging. However, by mastering the best interviewing techniques and knowing the right interviewing tips that align with the position, you can find the ideal candidate while also enhancing the company’s image. Interviewing skills cannot be acquired in one go. It is a skill that improves with practice and time. Remember “practice makes perfect”. As an interviewer, the focus should always be on creating a positive experience for candidates because applicants’ impression regarding the interview process can affect the reputation of the company.