Securing the best talent in the market is a challenging process – and one which is becoming an ever-increasing problem for businesses in the East Midlands.
Here are our expert interview tips to ensure you secure the best candidate for the job.
Preparation
Doing thorough preparation on the candidate before the interview is a great way to build rapport with them and also allows you to dig deeper into their suitability for the job. Look through their CV in detail to gain an understanding of the key responsibilities in their current job.
Background and Experience
Ask the candidate to give you a general overview of their career and key experience to date. You’ll then want to narrow down if their experience relates specifically to your role. Ask 4/5 key competency-based questions asking the candidate to describe how they would approach certain tasks and how they communicate with stakeholders.
Career aspirations
Why does the candidate want to look for a new job and what are their aspirations going forward? What do they want from their new job in the first year and where do they see themselves going in the next 3-5 years.
Personality / Cultural Fit
Can you see the candidate fitting into your immediate team? How will they interact with stakeholders in the wider business? What are their interests outside of work?
Questions from the candidate
Not only is this a great opportunity for the candidate to ask you insightful questions, but it’s also another opportunity for you to sell the role and business to them. Tell the candidate how they can progress and develop, give examples of other people who have been successful in the business, and what are the benefits of working for your business.
Feedback
It’s also important to give thorough feedback to the candidates who are unsuccessful, in order to maintain your company’s external image and brand. Not providing feedback to candidates can have a negative impact on the reputation of your business.
Make sure you give honest and constructive feedback – candidates will appreciate any advice you can offer them for future interviews they attend.
Second interview
We advise moving from the first to the second interview as quickly as possible. It keeps the process moving and ensures the candidate stays engaged. We’re finding that some candidates will be interviewed at 4 or 5 businesses – therefore if you wait several weeks to book a second interview, you will risk losing your preferred candidate.
Work with Distinct
At Distinct, we support employers across the UK by sourcing candidates with the ideal skills and ambitions to thrive in their businesses. Contact us today to learn how we can support you in hiring the perfect match.
