Google interview tips and you get 365,000,000 results. They are, for the most part, vanilla and generic, regularly inaccurate and typically treat the reader as having close to zero common sense. Here we are not going to tell you to “wear an inoffensive tie” or to “be sure to look at the company web page”. You’re smarter than that. We are smarter than that.
Here are a few insights, for the interviewer's side of the interview table, which go beyond the mundane and might add a little extra punch to your preparation and delivery:
For the interviewer
- It is getting very, very competitive out there. Remember that the people you are interviewing will likely have other options on the go.
- Employer brand and an interesting role/culture are all great, but ultimately it is your personal brand that will make the difference. People work with people, not companies.
- Remember that interviews are not ‘normal’ situations. It is your responsibly to make the person you are meeting feel at ease and to get the most out of your time together. Try using a person’s hobbies or interests as an ice-breaker.
- Explain the format the interview will take and, while you need to sometimes ask the hard questions, do so in a way that avoids confrontation and allows for the best, most honest response.
- Try to understand the person and not just the experience. Attitude can’t be taught, technical skills can.
- Manage expectations about feedback and if you set an expectation (such as “we will be back to you tomorrow”), stick to it. Nothing damages a personal and employer brand more in the interview process than mismatched expectations. If in doubt, it’s better to pleasantly surprise than to marginally disappoint when it comes to setting expectations on turnaround time for feedback or a decision.
- Don’t leave people behind. After a first interview, it can be very easy to move on with your shortlist and forget about giving feedback to the people that have been unsuccessful. You never know who they know; Ireland is a small place so protect your personal and employer brand by running a tight process.
- Be in a position to turn around offers and contracts in a timely manner. “Time kills all deals” is a real truth in recruitment.
For more career advice and information, download your copy of Career Guide 2016 today.