How to be a Better Interviewer?
(Pointers from the Other Side)
There are a lot of articles that tell a candidate what to do to prepare for an interview from the candidate’s perspective. There are sample questions and model answers available on the internet, there are write-ups on how to dress, what to say, etc. I daresay there are more than enough resources for any interviewee, for many popular roles.
So it should be no surprise that I feel no need to add to the ocean of those resources. Rather, I am compelled to talk about a few things that interviewers- especially in this new world of remote work- need to know and take note of. Now that a lot of interviews are done virtually, it might be difficult to get a true sense of an applicants ability from a 30 minutes to 1 hour call. So, it is crucial to try to ensure you get the best experience, for both parties. Here are a few tips to ensure you do just that!
I consider this a written reminder for myself and a pay-it-forward guide, for practices I would love to see being adopted as the norm.
- Introduce yourself and give a little background about the company: You NEED to be the first to do this. The reason is that it gives the candidate a little more room to relax and be comfortable. If their anxiety affects their breathing like mine does sometimes, it gives them some time to catch their breathe. Talk about yourself, your role and your company in general. In addition, this may or may not seem obvious but talking about the company and the role before you start would help them feel like they’re not wasting your time. Think of it like a gesture of…
“Hey, you’re a really cool candidate and I can’t wait to know all about you and the work you’ve done! This vacancy is a space I think you might be able to occupy. If you’re a good fit, I actually want you to be part of this company and I’m gonna take the time to talk you through our needs and where we are at right now”.
- Put on your camera: This gives a human touch to the interview. And if it’s off, let theirs be off as well. It can be a bit intimidating to talk to a blank screen, with no idea of what the person you’re talking to looks like. Communication is a two way street after afterall. Effective communication thrives on both verbal and non-verbal cues. Multi-tasking is also not an excuse here. In fact, it’s rude. You would expect your candidate to be fully present at the interview, so please give them the same courtesy.
- Ask specific questions: Yes, open ended questions could be a way to test creativity; a sort of blank canvas. However, if you want to get the best feel of your candidate and their abilities, you can throw in some specific questions that speak to a specific trait you’re trying to test for and nudge them to give real-life scenarios/examples for good measure. E.g. “How have you solved problems in the past? Please talk about an example from your previous experience”, and not “What is your work style?”. Be sure to help the candidate clarify things/questions, when they need help.
- Be interested in them & in the interview: I think this should go without saying. Ask about them, their motivations and how they think, their values, etc, especially relating to how it affects the role. Let them ask you questions too. Your tone also matters here. You want to sound kind and interested. It rubs off on their image of the company as well.
- Remember yourself, to relax and smile: A positive countenance sends positive vibes and positive feedback about your company to the candidate. It also makes for a generally pleasant experience for both parties as well.
Bonus point: Give instant feedback, if you can. Please let it be constructive! Highlight the things they did really well. If you must talk about the things they could have done better, please let it come in a form that does not destroy how they feel about the interview right after.
My first draft for this came about 7 months ago after a nerve wracking interview with a Tech founder. It came from my perspective as a candidate. As someone who has gone on to chair dozens of interviews after this, the experience made me lead with empathy. I still stand with these tips. In fact, if the feedback I’ve gotten from my interviews is anything to go by, I’d say all interviewers should note these.
Being interviewed is already so nerve-wracking, the least we can do is show a little kindness on the way.
Ifeoluwa Onifade, SHRM-CP.
