Job interviews are easy, right? You ask a few questions, evaluate the answers, and make a hiring decision. As a leading Kansas City staffing agency, Morgan Hunter wishes hiring were that simple. However, with more than 25 years of experience, we know that’s not the case.
And in fact, interviewing can be more like trying to find your way in the dark. Candidates present a certain image of themselves via their resume and interview answers – but it’s up to you to dig for the truth and find the ‘real’ person behind the candidate.
Unfortunately, over the years, we’ve seen hiring managers make a lot of mistakes in the interviewing process – which can hinder effective hiring and lead to a hiring mistake. So what are they – and how can you avoid them? Here’s a look:
Mistake #1: Being unprepared.
Think you can just wing it in a job interview? Think again! It’s critical that you develop a list of thoughtful questions designed to elicit the information you need to make a good hiring decision. Also, spend a few minutes before the interview going over each candidate’s resume, so their background is fresh in your mind during the interview.
Mistake #2: Not letting a candidate get a word in.
An interview should be a conversation, not a monologue. It’s important to explain the details of the job and give important information about your company. But it’s just as important to sit back and really listen to the answers each candidate gives. When you do, you’ll garner plenty of information to make an informed hiring decision.
Mistake #3: Over-selling the opportunity.
Wondering why new hires are leaving after just a couple months on the job? It could be because you’re over-promising during the job interview and then under-delivering once they’re on the job. But making promises you can’t keep is an expensive recipe for disaster. Not only will you have higher turnover to deal with, but you’ll also be back at square one in the hiring process pretty quickly.
Mistake #4: Not focusing on each candidate.
Effective hiring is perhaps one of the most important functions of a successful company. And yet, some hiring managers think it’s acceptable to answer calls, check their email, and reply to texts during a job interview. When you do this, not only is the interview less effective, but you’re also sending the message that you really don’t care about the candidate’s time. Not a good foot to start out on.
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