Hiring the wrong person is a massive waste of time and money. Interviewing someone for a job can be stressful, but it's important to know what you're looking for to get the best candidate possible. In this article, we'll cover some of the golden nuggets: qualities and responses to keep your eye out for when interviewing potential candidates.
The process of hiring the right candidate for your company is not a simple task. But having a clear idea about what qualities and responses you should be listening for in a candidate can make the process much easier. Some qualities and attributes are hardcoded into the specific job function. For example, you might be looking for a keen eye and attention to detail when hiring an accountant or graphic designer. Some other attributes are more general indicators of a great employee.
Qualities such as punctuality, time management skills, and the ability to work on multiple tasks at once are all important indicators to make a note of during the interview process. An open and fluid communication style and an ability to follow the string of the conversation is also a great attribute. Pay attention to the candidate's demeanor, tone of voice, and level of enthusiasm.
Keep an ear out for answers to questions that indicate critical thinking skills, organizational ability, and a willingness to take responsibility and learn from failures. In addition, candidates who ask bold questions and demonstrate that they did their homework regarding the position and organization are also worth noticing.
Once the interview is over, take a moment to check with your staff to see how the candidate behaved while waiting. Were they kind to the receptionist? Did they engage other employees? If yes, how did those interactions go? What were their first impressions of the candidate? I once interviewed with a company where the CEO only conducted in-person interviews over lunch and used the candidate's interaction with the restaurant staff as the initial litmus test for the interview. Your team can provide a similar litmus test a few moments before the interview begins.
Investing time in interviewing the right candidate for a job is one of the most important things you can do as an employer. It's also some of the most challenging work you'll have to do, so it's best to make sure you've covered all your bases. Understanding what qualities and responses to be looking for during interviews will help you make more informed hiring decisions in the long run.
Want to learn more? Join the Interview Dive community for training, tips, and a one-of-a-kind tool to build effective interview guides!