Conducting an interview can be a very stressful event. An employer wants to find someone who will be an effective worker, and may need a replacement for a person that he or she has just lost. Adequate preparation will yield the best results when conducting an interview. For example, individuals who are leading an interview should familiarize themselves with the potential candidates, and should also work with colleagues to come up with good questions that should be addressed over the course of the interview. In addition, those conducting an interview should listen carefully to the answers given in order to fairly evaluate the applicant.
When it comes to conducting an interview, one of the most important steps is the actual preparation for the interview. To do this, interviewers should start by closely studying the resume, cover letter, and any other materials associated with the person who is going to be interviewed. Focus should be placed on previous work experiences that may closely mirror the duties the applicant will be responsible for at the new organization. An interviewer should also familiarize himself with the applicant, and should understand the requirements of the job and what qualities allowed people who previously held the job to do it well.
Next, those conducting an interview should come up with a list of questions that can be directed at the candidates. This can be one of the most difficult parts of conducting a great and effective interview. Research has found that questions which focus on behaviors instead of specific skills will not only provide valuable information about the actions on the person, but will also reflect his or her ability to work under pressure, with others, and under direction. Interviewers should work with other employees in order to come up with questions that are directly related to the duties of the open position.
Interviewers should also be sure to listen as closely as possible to the candidate's responses during the interview. This means listening not only to the specific words that are being said, but also to the manner in which they are being said. Interviewers can learn a lot about a person by the tone of his or her voice when answering specific questions. In addition, those conducting an interview should be sure to pay special attention to the person's body language during the course of the interview. Someone who is tapping their foot, looking around the room, or checking their nails might be revealing his lack of interest in the position.
