Interviews are a Branding Opportunity.
It’s probably the case that job candidates are going to be more anxious about an interview with you than you will be about conducting a great interview with them. That doesn’t mean you can phone it in. Every interview requires your attention, preparation and presence.
You are part of your company’s brand.
When you interview a job candidate, you represent your company, industry and brand. The interview is a chance to build on the strength of that brand or dilute it. And it’s not just you alone who carries the weight of the brand. It’s the doorman or receptionist in your building and the other employees a candidate may encounter on their way to the meeting. It’s the cleanliness of your office, the décor of the interview setting, and the temperature of the room.
Every interview is a branding opportunity.
As you prepare for your next interview and branding opportunity, it’s wise to avoid these 5 interview mistakes that are as easy to make as they are to avoid.
Interview Mistakes for Employers
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Know the company.
No matter how prepared they are, the job seeker will never know as much about your company as you do. Expect the candidate to be curious, ask questions, and probe about the business. Be prepared to share information, data, marketing collateral or anecdotes about the company and the job. This is a sales opportunity; you are selling the brand and the job.
Speaking of the job, be sure to brush-up on the work itself – the job description, benefits, hours, and typical duties. Be able to talk about the workspace and the candidate’s prospective coworkers.
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Know the candidate.
We’re all busy. You may be interviewing a dozen candidates in a single morning. At minimum, take a minute or two to familiarize yourself with the candidate’s name and something about their background. This small effort communicates respect and puts the candidate at ease in a stressful situation.
Engage the candidate in conversation. Make an effort to build a relationship – even if it’s one that’s fleeting and superficial.
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First impressions matter.
The candidate is interviewing you and your company as much as you are assessing them. Show interest in the job seeker. Make eye contact and shake hands. Dress for the interview. Even if you work in a casual or industrial setting, be neat and clean. It shows respect for the process, the business and most importantly the candidate.
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Be prepared.
Plan ahead about where you’re going to conduct the interview. Clear your calendar and leave your mobile phone behind. Think about the potential for interruptions and how to minimize them. Do you want to give the candidate a quick walking tour of the office or plant? Introduce them to other employees? Offer a cup of coffee or a water?
A little preparation communicates a lot about the company and what it’s like to work there.
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Be honest.
Not everyone you interview will be a good fit for your company. You’ll probably know within the first minute or two if any job seeker is going to be the right one. It’s hard to do but being honest and direct about the candidate’s prospects is the honorable thing to do. Be kind. Be fair.
It also pays to be honest when asked tough questions about the company and the job. You’re likely to be asked about things like workload and stress, company culture, pay and benefits. The candidate deserves truthful answers as they assess your opportunity.
Interviews are Hard. Active Makes them Easy.
Interviews are hard to prepare for and conduct. They can be exhausting, and it may feel like they are keeping you from getting your “real” work completed.
Done well, however, every interview with leave the candidate with a positive impression of your company and your brand. Whether or not they get the job, if a job seeker leaves the interview feeling good about the process, it’s a win for both of you.
If the thought of interviews gives you a headache, there is an option. Partner with Active Staffing to recruit your temporary, temp-to-perm or direct hire employees. With Active on your team, we’ll do the hard work of advertising and recruiting candidates, interviewing and screening applicants, and setting up job seekers for success on the interview and a job at your business. Put our brand together with yours. Let’s talk!