Interviews are your chance to find the perfect fit for your team, but are you sure you’re conducting them in the most effective way? Believe it or not, there are quite a few interview misconceptions circulating. In fact, many leaders aren’t even sure how to conduct effective interviews!
We’re here to help. Let’s debunk some common interview misconceptions and equip you with best practices to ensure a smooth and successful interview process for your next hire!
Myth #1: Interviews are just chatting.
Interviews might feel conversational (and they should be!), but they’re also a critical part of candidate assessment.
Your company is legally obligated to avoid discrimination based on protected grounds like race, religion, age, or gender. Interviews play a key role in ensuring fairness. This means focusing on relevant questions that assess a candidate’s skills and experience for the specific role.
Myth #2: The best person always has the most experience.
Experience is important, but it’s not the only factor.
Someone with a different background or a fresh perspective could bring amazing ideas to the table. Focusing solely on experience can lead to unconscious bias in interviewing, where interviewers favour candidates who remind them of themselves or who fit a certain mold.
At the end of the day, you should look for the candidate who best aligns with the job requirements and your company culture. As a result, the right candidate might not have the most experience, but maybe they are willing to learn and bring the right attitude to the table!
Myth #3: Winging it is okay for interviewers.
Just like candidates prepare for interviews, interviewers should too!
Knowing the role you’re interviewing for, having a list of well-thought-out questions, and creating a structured interview format are all best practices.
This ensures a fair and consistent experience for each candidate and allows for a more thorough assessment of their skills.
Myth #4: It’s okay to ask personal questions.
There’s a big distinction between getting to know a candidate and invading their privacy.
Interviews should focus on the candidate’s qualifications for the job, not their personal life. Questions about marital status, religion, or age are generally off-limits.
Myth #5: Interviews are a one-way street.
Interviews are a two-way street! Give candidates the chance to ask questions about the job, the company culture, and the team they’d be working with. This helps them decide if the job aligns with their goals too.
Final Thoughts
By understanding these common interview misconceptions, you can approach interviews from a more informed perspective. Remember, the best interviews are fair, objective, and focused on finding the right person for the job. So, ditch the misconceptions, embrace best practices, and conduct interviews that give your candidates a stellar experience!
Ready to elevate your candidate’s interview experience + boost your employer brand?
Download our free Interview Process Tool to get started today!