How to get more from interviews

Have you ever left an interview feeling that time passed too quickly? Interviews don’t last very long so it’s important that you make every minute count. Here are 5 ways to maximise the time you spend with each candidate.

It’s a conversation, not an interrogation

If you aim to catching people out, you’ll probably succeed. A relaxed approach gives candidates the chance to open up and tell you about themselves.

Study your candidate’s CV beforehand

Don’t just give it a once over. Take the time to really understand your candidate’s background. It will help you develop more focussed questions. It will also stop you from wasting interview time by asking for information that’s in the CV.

Ask personal questions

The person you hire will need to work well with you, other employees and clients. A lot of this comes down to personality. Asking questions unrelated to the job will help you understand how your candidate operates. They’re good ice breakers, too!

Silence is a virtue

If candidates are giving scripted replies, try pausing for 5 seconds after each answer. Most candidates will fill the silence with a response they didn’t pre-plan.

Ask open ended questions

If you ask a closed question, you’re going to get a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. If you want to get the best from your interviewee, ask open questions. This will give them the chance to really ‘wow’ you.