Interviewers: get ready for the hot seat

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The rise of sophisticated jobseekers means that nowadays, the interviewer is being judged as much as the candidate.

Savvy applicants armed with infinite data (cheers internet!) can play ball a lot harder than they used to. It’s often the case – especially in today’s candidate-driven market – that jobseekers are assessing every aspect of the application process; the feel of the office, the culture, and the individuals they meet. These all play a huge role in their ultimate decision.

From the minute they walk into the room, candidates will be assessing whether they’re a good fit for your team; they’ll assess your interview style and your overall approach to the position. While you are focused on getting as much information as possible from your ideal candidate, keep in mind that this is a two-way street – red flags can be thrown both ways and first (and 2nd and 3rd) impressions are more important than ever.

So, as the interview becomes a level playing field, what can companies do to ensure they put on their best performance and show off the best attributes of their business and the role at hand?

Be on time

This isn’t a date, so playing it cool isn’t a strong tactic. Be polite, meet them on time and get things off on the right foot. Let the candidate know you are taking this role as seriously as they are. If a legitimate reason means you’re going to have to be late, let them know in advance. It really is that simple.

Less interrogation, more conversation

Make the interview a bit more than a trade of questions and answers. Kick off the meeting with an introduction to yourself, how your role plays into the position you’re hiring for and give a little more insight into the company. This will relax you, them and encourage a much more natural conversation.

Prepare your questions

Interviewing a candidate should be taken as seriously as a pitch to win a top client. You’re busy, of course, but you wouldn’t walk into a pitch without notes and questions prepared. Go into the interview with an idea of their experience and a few key questions that you wouldn’t make a decision without knowing the answer to. Whatever questions are most important to your hiring process, make sure you have them at the ready.

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