Blog

Improving your Interview Skills as Recruiters and HR Managers

Improving your Interview Skills as Recruiters and HR Managers

New recruiters and HR managers face the exciting yet daunting task of sifting through job candidates to find the best fit for their company. To achieve the best outcome, it's crucial to enhance interviewing and screening skills. Here are condensed tips from Forbes Human Resources Council members:

  1. Active Listening: Focus on non-verbal cues, employ situational interview questions, and encourage candidates to share past failures and lessons learned.
  2. Structured Interview Training: Train interviewers to reduce biases, engage in role-playing, take detailed notes, and practise extensively.
  3. Competency-Based Framework: Emphasise real-world problem-solving and critical thinking examples to assess adaptability and skill-based roles.
  4. Awareness of Biases: Constantly question personal biases, avoid confirmation bias, and focus on truly understanding candidates.
  5. Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions starting with "how," "what," or "tell me about" to foster insightful conversations.
  6. Create a Plan: Outline the interview's purpose, assessment criteria, and evaluation methods beforehand.
  7. Skills and Behavioural Assessment: Use customised assessments to predict success, reduce bias, and evaluate communication skills.
  8. Balance Technology and Human Touch: While AI aids efficiency, remember to value candidates as individuals beyond what technology can discern.
  9. Avoid Textbook Questions: Encourage organic conversation by asking open-ended questions.
  10. List Must-Haves: Prioritise essential skills over perfect CV matches to avoid missing out on top performers.
  11. Listen and Follow Up: Actively listen to unexpected answers and explore further for deeper insights.
  12. Stay Curious: Engage candidates meaningfully and share their stories with impactful examples.
  13. Behavioural-Based Questions: Focus on past experiences to understand candidates' abilities better.
  14. Maintain an Open Mind: Consider broader opportunities beyond the current role.
  15. Evaluate Skills: Focus on problem-solving abilities and relevant experience.
  16. Maintain Focus and Structure: Prepare questions aligned with job skills and assess all candidates consistently.
  17. Look for Soft Skills: Assess cultural fit and soft skills for long-term success.
  18. Find Intrinsic Motivations: Prioritise candidates' core values and motivations for mutual success.
  19. Implement Behavioural Interviewing: Create structured questions to evaluate candidates' responses effectively.
  20. Set Hiring Process Expectations: Communicate clearly with candidates about the hiring timeline.

These strategies, when applied, can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the hiring process, leading to successful hires and a stronger workforce.

For the full article, visit the Forbes website 20 Interview Tips for Recruiters and HR Managers.

Back to News