Interview Process Potential Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Interviewer bias

A great way to prevent bias is to host a panel interview, ideally with interviewers of varying ages, genders, cultures and personalities.

It isn’t always possible (especially at first stage interviews) and there are some downsides to panel interviews, for example, they can be more intimidating and they’re harder to organise. 

We believe that the positives outweigh the negatives and even if you only bring one other person into the interview, that will add some clarity and fairness to the decision.

Lack of preparation

• Thoroughly read the candidate’s CV, making a note of anything you’d like to ask your candidates to expand upon.

• Come up with detailed criteria of exactly what you’re looking for in a candidate, including skills, experience, personality and cultural fit. It can help to have a checklist that you tick off as the interview goes along.

• Learnt all the details of the job description. Your candidate is bound to ask about the job and if you’re not able to answer, you’ll look a little bit silly.

Bad interview questions

•  Don’t ask ridiculously difficult interview questions that you know your candidates won’t be able to answer. It’s pointless.

• Try not to be over-scripted. A great candidate will be able to improvise and have a natural conversation with you, so give them a chance to do just that.

• Do NOT attempt to discuss any of the following: age, sexual orientation, marital status, cultural issues, disabilities, illness, criminal convictions, innuendos, inappropriate jokes.

Lack of follow up

• Let unsuccessful candidates know why they weren’t chosen.

• Keep successful candidates in the loop about how the process is progressing, what the next stages will include and be clear and honest about time-scales.

• Let your candidate know ASAP when you decide to hire them (and don’t take long to make that decision in the first place).

 You’re just a bad interviewer

• They don’t give the candidate a chance to speak.

• They don’t speak at all.

• They aren’t prepared.

• They try to intimidate candidates.

• They blatantly lie.

• They try too hard and look desperate.

• They overshare.

#Become a better interviewer!