At WE Talent, we’re passionate about helping businesses strengthen their recruitment processes – whether we’re directly involved in the hire or not. Here are our top tips to help you get the most from your interview process.

When we think about interviews, so much attention is placed on preparing candidates that we often forget the people on the other side of the table – the interviewers. 

Many hiring managers are experienced in their fields but may not be confident or fully prepared when it comes to conducting interviews, particularly in today’s competitive market where securing the right talent is critical.

An effective interview requires more than just reading a CV and asking a few questions. It’s about creating the right environment, asking meaningful and consistent questions, and steering the conversation to gather valuable insights. A poorly delivered interview can lead to a missed hire, wasted time, and damage to your employer brand.

If you’re handling recruitment internally, here are some key steps to help your managers get the best outcomes from their interviews:

Preparation is Key
Successful interviews start long before the candidate arrives. Managers should:

• Fully understand the role’s key skills, behaviours, and competencies.
• Prepare relevant, structured questions that align with the person specification.
• Thoroughly review the CV and note areas to explore, such as achievements or gaps.
• Plan how to present the business and the opportunity in an engaging way – interviews are a two-way process.
• Ensure everyone involved in the hiring process is informed and aligned.

Confident Delivery
Putting candidates at ease, whether face-to-face or virtually, helps open up the conversation. Managers should:

• Build rapport early on with simple pleasantries and a clear structure for the interview.
• Keep conversations focused but flexible, using prompts like “tell me more about” or “can you expand on” to delve deeper.
• Balance sharing information about the business with leaving space for candidate responses.
• Be mindful of body language and non-verbal cues, especially in virtual interviews.

Concluding Effectively
The final stages of an interview are crucial for clarifying next steps and leaving a strong impression:

• Summarise what happens next, including timelines and expectations for the next stage.
• Invite final questions and allow candidates to reinforce key points about their suitability.
• Make thorough notes – these are vital for fair comparison and for providing meaningful feedback.

Finally, remember – candidates will consider your organisation on how professional and engaging your interview process is. If they are considering multiple offers - make sure your business stands out.

At WE Talent, we regularly help Essex businesses enhance their hiring approach. If you’d like a free information sheet on effective interviewing for hiring managers, please get in touch.

Website: we-talent.co.uk  Phone: 01206 616 656 Email: hello@we-talent.co.uk