How do I start?
When candidates first arrive in the interview room they are understandably nervous. They've just met two strangers, who they are desperate to impress and who wield all the power. Who wouldn't be nervous?!
This means though, that your introduction can go quite long - five to ten minutes is fine for an hour interview. It gives the candidates time to calm down, as well as giving them information about what is going to happen, so they feel in control again. This helps them give better answers, so you get a better interview. Yes, it's all about you!
Make sure you cover:
*Introductions - including titles and why people are in the room.
*Something about the position, how it fits into the team and how the team fits into the business.
*The structure of the interview: what kind of questions, in what order, who is asking?
*How long the interview will take roughly.
*That you will be writing notes and why.
*Something to make the candidates comfortable - tell them there are no trick questions (as long as there arn't!) and that you want to get the best out of them, so they should feel free to ask questions as you go along.
A good way to start the candidates talking is to ask them to summarise their career, or what attracted them to the job. It's something they've probably practised and will make them feel confident. Confident interviewees are easier to interview, so yes, it's really all about you!
This means though, that your introduction can go quite long - five to ten minutes is fine for an hour interview. It gives the candidates time to calm down, as well as giving them information about what is going to happen, so they feel in control again. This helps them give better answers, so you get a better interview. Yes, it's all about you!
Make sure you cover:
*Introductions - including titles and why people are in the room.
*Something about the position, how it fits into the team and how the team fits into the business.
*The structure of the interview: what kind of questions, in what order, who is asking?
*How long the interview will take roughly.
*That you will be writing notes and why.
*Something to make the candidates comfortable - tell them there are no trick questions (as long as there arn't!) and that you want to get the best out of them, so they should feel free to ask questions as you go along.
A good way to start the candidates talking is to ask them to summarise their career, or what attracted them to the job. It's something they've probably practised and will make them feel confident. Confident interviewees are easier to interview, so yes, it's really all about you!
Wendii,
Very True and valuable information from the interviewer perspective. Good points.
This is very relevant in the Indian scenario with the economic boom, where candidates are also choosy about which company they want to join and interviewer needs to create a good impression.(!!).
Another good way to start interview to put candidates at ease is to ask them "to tell about themselves" including whatever personal information that can be disclosed.
That is how most interview starts here.
Regards
Karthik.
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Wendii,
I'm curious about something. From the other side of the table (as the interviewee), I would appreciate it tremendously if the introductions with formal titles and surnames waited until such time as I have my own note-taking materials ready to go. Hitting me as I walk through the door with two, three or six names, titles and departments (or job functions) is overwhelming to me. I'd do well to remember first names as part of the first onslaught but important details such as last names for thank you notes and/or the role someone plays in the company are better served when I'm settled in and can focus on "Gee Tom, I'm glad you asked that; here's how I would handle that and how I see myself interacting with Jerry's Accounting group & Betsy's HR group." Perhaps you intended this intro piece to begin once the interviewee is seated and ready to proceed and it's entirely possible that the American culture (or my own luck in my region) is such that it's a full frontal assault from the word Go!
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I wasn't specific, but yes, I would wait until the candidate had sat down, got some coffee and seemed to be settled. I tend to do, Hi I'm Wendii, in reception or as the candidate walks in over handshakes, and fuller introductions including job titles at the proper start once we're settled.
If you did miss the details and want to get them right, there's nothing wrong with asking for a repeat during your question time at the end.
Wendii
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I have two comments for the interviewee.
1. Never accept food or drink when in an interview. You are setting yourself for embarrassment.
2. For sending TY notes, ask each board member for their business card when you think it appropriate. This way you will have all their info for follow-up. Also, it won't hurt for you to write a note on the back of their card to be able to remember each person.
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Hi Wendi,
I agree 100% with your approach, unfortunately I've seen many interviewers who seems to think that interview process is a pain and they actually look like they are going through pain by their expressions and conducts. Interview is a a two way process, not only are we trying to find the right candidate but for the candidate too it is equally important that he is talking to the right company.
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