Bad interviewers hire the wrong people. Well, I’m assuming you’re not that person. We all know that an interview is one of the most effective tools available to you as an employer. This simple process is used to evaluate a candidate’s performance for a particular position. For example, introducing a company to applicants, this process begins with the first contact.
A behavioural interviewer not only helps you choose the right candidate but also leaves an impression about the job that can last long into the future. As you all know, there is a correlation between an employee’s attitude towards work and their work performance. A conceivable candidate’s experience and attitude towards the job are formed very early in the interaction with the potential candidate.
Therefore, being a behavioural interviewer can even have a positive impact on an employee’s attitude and performance. Did you know that according to a CareerBuilder survey, 75 percent of employers admit to hiring the wrong person? If you’ve ever been interviewed, you probably know this. I wouldn’t be surprised. However, to help you hire the right candidate for your company, I have shared some tips that I can believe will help you make a better behavioural interviewer.
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How to be a behavioral interviewer
Preparation before Interview
You know preparing for an interview is just as important as the interview itself. Being prepared means knowing exactly what you’re going to say during the interview. To better prepare, review the information about the interviewee, the requirements for the position you’re applying for, and the questions you’d like to ask. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the more likely you are to have a successful interview.
Be thoughtful about your questions.
You already experienced that by asking the right questions, you can get the most important information from the candidate you are talking to. Research the best questions for the specific position you’re applying for, and tailor your questions to the skills and other qualifications needed for the position. Consider using situational and behavioral questions to get a comprehensive understanding of the candidate, including their personality and approach to workplace situations. A behavioural interviewer always sticks to on right and to the point questions, so you should also be.
Candidate knowledge is a must before the interview
Reviewing the candidate’s information, including their resume, qualifications, and other documents, before the interview will help you decide which areas of their work history and experience you want to discuss. During your review, note everything you plan to cover during the interview, create an outline of your questions and points, and make sure you’ve covered all the important information.
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Decide on the structure you will follow for each interview.
You can outline the structure to follow before the interview and refer to it during the meeting because it will ensure you will cover all the topics. Consider tailoring your interview to how much time you want to spend on important topics, such as professional experience, interest in the position and company, skills, and how to handle conflicts in the workplace.
Practice active listening
Understanding and practicing active listening during an interview will help you become a more effective interviewer by allowing you to fully hear and understand what the interviewee is saying. Listen carefully to the candidate, take notes, nod, make eye contact, and ask follow-up questions to show your participation in the interview. To be a behavioural interviewer, listening quality is a must, because do not have to dominate the candidate by showing skills, you have to evaluate the candidate after listening to the candidate carefully.
Always try to get help from friends or colleagues for interview techniques.
If this is your first time interviewing or you want to improve your interviewing skills, practice with a friend or colleague to become familiar with the process. It also allows you to provide feedback to your practice partners, which will help you become a better behavioural interviewer.
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Allow to ask questions at the end of the interview
To show respect for the candidate and address topics not covered, allowing the interviewee to ask questions during or at the end of the interview is a sign of a behavioural interviewer. Additionally, the questions you ask an interviewee can reveal a lot about their personality, professionalism, and even whether they’re genuinely interested in and qualified for the job.
End the interview professionally
At the end of the interview, take the time to explain to the candidate the next steps in the hiring process. Let them know when they can expect to hear back from you and if they need more information. You can also give candidates a tour of your office and introduce them to the employees who will work in the position they’re applying for. This will give you an overview of your company’s culture and give interviewees an idea of what the work environment will be like if they are hired.
Also Read: Training Interviewers Can Change Candidate Hiring Experience
At the end
Behavioural interviewing is a powerful technique that helps you hire the right candidate for the job. Here are some tips to help you become an expert behavioral interviewer. I know most of us have these qualities, but if you’re missing something, following the tips in this article will help you prepare for interviews. So, ask the right questions, and evaluate candidates’ responses effectively. With practice, you can become a skilled behavioural interviewer who consistently makes good hiring decisions.
BarRaiser is an AI-supported interviewing platform, that helps you to conduct a perfect interview and help to choose the right candidate for your company according to the job description. It will help you to structure time duration and questions and transcribe the whole interview to evaluate candidates fairly.