engage magazine issue 002 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'06 | Page 57

ATTRACT EMPLOYEES 57

Recruitment

scream, panic and dash for the exit! The question the interviewer should have asked
STEP 3 – The Interview and Taking Notes
STEP 4 – Ending the Interview
is“ tell me about a time when you had to deal with an emergency or life threatening situation” This way I would have to draw on past experiences and the interviewer would have a more realistic picture of how I might behave in that situation.
Please start the interview on time. Apart from it being rude to be late, it will cause additional anxiety to the candidate.
Keep a check of the time and let the candidate know when there is five minutes left. Leave enough time to flick through your notes to look for any gaps in information, to clarify points and to also allow the candidate to ask any final
Try to prepare open-ended questions
questions about the company or the job.
i. e. questions where a candidate cannot
Whenever possible, you, the interviewer,
When the time is up, inform the candidate
give a simple‘ yes’ or‘ no response.
should go and pick up the candidate from
that the interview has ended. Thank them
For instance,“ Give me an example
the reception area. This will allow you
for their time and tell them when and how
of when you had to reprimand an
to make that vital‘ small talk’ on your
they will receive feedback. Escort the
employee for bad conduct”“ what was
walk back to the interview room, which is
candidate back to the reception area.
the situation”“ what did you do”“ what was the outcome”“ what did you learn
essential to gauging the candidate’ s nerves and an opportunity to put them
STEP 5 – Recording the Interview
from this”. It is impossible for a candidate
at ease.
to answer just yes or no to this type of questioning. This type of questioning will also give you insight into the candidate’ s logic and reasoning as well as confirm whether they are able to learn.
If you are seeing more than one candidate it may be helpful to include a
Small talk‘ non-tasking’ questions include;“ where did you travel from today”“ how was the journey”“ was the building easy to find”.
If the candidate is already struggling with
As soon as the candidate leaves and before you see any other candidate, write down your impressions of the candidate and make sure your interview notes are legible. Expand on your notes now whilst everything is fresh on your mind. You will need your notes to make the final
few generic questions so that you can
answers you will need to work harder
decision on who gets the job and you may
compare the responses when it comes to
to build a rapport since it is important
need to use them to give feedback to the
decision making, e. g.,“ why did you apply
to relax the candidate if you are to get
successful / unsuccessful candidate / s.
for this role”,“ where do you see yourself
their best from the interview. Greet the
in five years time”“ what do you consider to be your greatest achievement to date”
STEP 2- The Interview Day
candidate with a warm smile and firm handshake.
Once you are both seated in the interview room, do some housekeeping
Extra Tips during Interview:
– reiterate the structure of the interview
• Maintain eye contact with the
Identify a quiet and secluded office / office
e. g.,‘ it will be for 30 minutes; followed
candidate
space in which to conduct the interview.
by an aptitude test. Explain that you will
• Allow the candidate time to think
If possible, you should organise a round
be taking notes throughout the interview
and speak
table to sit at, so there is no clear‘ them and us’. Place a bottle of water with cups on the table for refreshment. Avoid ordering coffees via the secretary as their entry can sometimes disrupt the flow of the interview. Give reception details of who you are expecting, and let other members of staff know that you will be interviewing and do not wish to be interrupted. Don’ t forget to turn off your
but the candidate should not allow this to interrupt the flow of conversation as you will ask for clarification of any points when necessary. Point out that the water is for
the candidates use and they are to help
themselves. It is good practice for you to start the interview with a bit about yourself and what the company does. Now
you can start asking those pre-prepared
• Ask your questions clearly
• Smile and nod occasionally to reassure candidate you are listening
• Be prepared to take a different path of questioning if need be
Gloria Wyse has had over 10 years‘ hands on’ experience of recruiting high calibre
illustration MATT ROCK
mobile phone.
questions.
graduates for a UK based multinational.
ISSUE TWO 2006 engage