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4 Keys to Uncovering the Real Candidate in a Job Interview

ThinkstockPhotos-177419263As one of the top staffing services firms in Phoenix, it’s a story we’ve heard time and again. A candidate looks great on paper, aces the interview and gets the job offer. Only, once they start on the job, it quickly becomes clear that they either don’t have the right skill set or their personality is all wrong for the position or the company. It’s a mistake that will wind up costing you too – from lost productivity to lowered morale.

So how can you uncover the ‘real’ candidate when you’re interviewing so you can avoid expensive hiring mistakes? Start by following these tips:

Tip #1: Prepare ahead of time.

Don’t wing it during the interview process. Just like the candidate, you too should be preparing ahead of time for the interview. Re-read the candidate’s resume, make notes on it about the kinds of questions you want to ask based on their background, look up their LinkedIn profile, and dig deeper so you have the information you need to ask meaningful questions and spot any red flags or inconsistencies.

Tip #2: Focus on the follow up.

Too often, candidates give boilerplate or vague answers to job interview questions. One way to get them to truly open up is to ask follow up questions. For instance, when you ask things like: “how so?,” “tell me more,” “how did you achieve those results?,” and “what would you have done differently?,” you can take a deeper dive into a candidate’s background and uncover more detail that will aid you in your hiring decision.

Tip #3: Schedule more than one interview.

If you’re feeling uncertain about a particular candidate, schedule more time with them. There’s no rule that says you only get one shot at interviewing a potential employee. In fact, you may even want to have other decision makers at the company participate in a second interview. That way you can get objective advice and opinions on the candidate.

Tip #4: Test your top pick candidates.

If you’re trying to decide between a small group of candidates, give each homework to help you make a final decision. Develop a mock project or assignment that will give you the chance to assess their skill level, work ethic and ability to meet deadlines.

Every manager makes hiring mistakes. However, most can be avoided when you spend the time to dig deeper and reveal the true nature of each candidate. When you do, you’ll gain a clear sense of who they really are and whether they’re the right fit for you.

For more help with hiring, call PrideStaff.
As one of the top staffing services firms in Phoenix, our specialists can help you with the process from start to finish, giving you access to the skilled and dependable people you need. To learn more, contact us today.

 

 

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