If you are the employer, then it probably seems like an interview would be easiest on you. After all, the candidate is the one who is trying to impress, right? A job interview consists of the interviewee observing you and making notes about whether he or she actually wants to work at this company. Therefore, you need to put your best foot forward in order to attract the best employees. If you are guilty of these interview mistakes, then it is high time you think about adjusting your method. You could be losing out on exceptional workers if you continue down a disastrous path.
Being Late
For a job applicant, one of the most counterproductive actions that can be done is showing up to the interview late. The same rule applies to the employer. If you asked someone to come in for an interview at noon and you make them wait an hour before seeing them, then the applicant may have already decided that he or she does not want to work here. A job candidate’s time is just as important as yours, so treat everyone with respect and do not become guilty of these interview mistakes.
Not Preparing Beforehand
Before the applicant walks into your office, you should have already read his or her resume. You can have some paper in front of you for notes, but you should know a little bit about the person’s background, so the interview is used to go more in-depth rather than acquire basic information you should have already gotten. You need to show you are a professional who is taking this process seriously.
Being Overly Talkative
Although you definitely need to talk a little bit about what the company does and what is expected of this position, the interviewee should be doing a majority of the talking. You should mostly stick to asking relevant questions and then giving the candidate enough time to answer each one thoroughly. Being guilty of these interview mistakes is not only detrimental for the candidate, but it also hurts you. If you do most of the talking, then you are not going to get enough information about the applicants. When it comes time to hire someone, they are all going to seem the same to you.
Not Giving the Candidate Your Full Attention
Think about this: if you were interviewing someone and they seemed disinterested in the conversation, would you hire them? The applicant is going to be paying attention to your interest as well. You need to maintain eye contact, listen carefully and not be on your phone or laptop. You want to show candidates that you would be a respectful and attentive boss. Do not be guilty of these interview mistakes, or you could lose the best person for the job.
Now Allowing the Interviewee to Ask Questions
At the end of every interview, you should give the candidate a chance to ask you some questions. This shows that you care about their concerns, and it gives you a chance to see if the applicant has prepared thoroughly for this meeting. Ultimately, your office needs to work together as part of a team, where everyone’s voice matters. When you do not give a potential employee a chance to ask questions, you are showing that you are only concerned with your needs and what you want out of a worker.
Not Following Up
The interview should end with you giving the prospective employee a sense of when he or she can expect to hear back. It could take a few days or several weeks to reach a decision, and you want every applicant to be mindful of your time frame. Once you have made your choice, you should get in touch with everyone who did not get the position and tell them that you have decided to go with someone else. Far too many employers never get back to the candidates, and this just creates confusion and frustration on their part. A candidate who gets a rejection email knows that he or she needs to pursue other opportunities rather than wait around on you.
Convince People They Need to Work With You
A job candidate you are interviewing is likely taking other interviews. Someone who is particularly talented may get several job offers. You need to show that they need to go with your company. While this may not always be possible, especially if someone else is offering the candidate a huge sum of money, you can do quite a bit of good by showing you are actively interested during the interview and by showing you care about the interviewee as an individual. For more information about what you should and should not do for an interview, check out other Mighty Recruiter resources to avoid being guilty of these interview mistakes.