Preparing for an interview ensures that you can conduct the interview well, narrow down the topics to be covered, and evaluate the candidates properly. Here are the ways you can take to prepare for the interview: 

1. Assess the job description: Review the job role criteria and the skills, qualifications, and experience the ideal candidate should have to make the best selection in narrowing down to one candidate during the hiring process. 
2.  Examine the candidate's resume and portfolio: Before going to the interview, make sure you know and understand the candidate's resume so you can use it as a reference during the interview. If the job requires a sample of their past works (i.e. graphic designer position), evaluate these works accordingly.

The questions you ask candidates are one of the most crucial aspects of an interview. When developing a list of questions to ask them, keep the job description in mind. You can prepare a list of relevant behavioural, situational, and open-ended interview questions. Check out some common interview questions you can ask these candidates in our previous article! 

At the end of the interview, candidates typically get the opportunity to evaluate the interviewers by asking them questions about the role, the company, or the interviewer's experience in the company. Make sure your responses are honest and transparent so that candidates can assess if they are a good fit for the company. 

Once you plan the interview, ensure that your calendar is clear. Respect the candidate's time and arrive for the interview on schedule. Prepare your interview questions ahead of time. A plan of action can help you conduct the interview more efficiently because you will be more likely to remember any questions or topics to cover.

You will learn about the candidate's background, experience, skills, and how they may contribute to the role during the interview. If you believe the candidate is a good fit, spend time selling the job and the company. As the interview is an interactive process, you are selling the job and the company as much as the candidate is marketing himself. To get this applicant to accept your offer, explain why this role and company are exactly what the candidate is seeking. 

Interviews can be a stressful experience for candidates. Candidates may become nervous about the whole process – worrying about the questions they will be asked, how the interview will be conducted. Due to stress, they would sometimes stutter or forget their points during interviews, causing them to perform poorly. Make sure to provide an inviting environment for candidates so they can adequately answer your questions. The idea is to make them feel at ease so that you can have a successful interview.

Remember to inform the candidates of the next steps in the recruitment process near the end of the interview. Explain the company's hiring process (if there are multiple rounds of interviews) and who will conduct the next round. Inform the candidates if they need to provide any extra documentation and how long you will wait before telling them of the interview results. 

You may efficiently conduct the most excellent interview experience for both interviewers and interviewees by employing the proper strategies. Better interviews result in more effective hiring. Concentrate on optimising the process to make the whole experience impactful. 

Are you looking to hire? Sign up as an employer on Jobs Lah and post a job today! Let us assist you in locating the best individuals for your company. 

P/S: When you post a job (for free!), you not only attract top prospects for your company, but you also have a chance to win a Tesla!*