Interviews: Set the Stage

Whether you are on a blind date, meeting the future in-laws, or interviewing for a job, first impressions are everything.  When interviewing candidates, you are also being interviewed by your appearance, the company environment, and most importantly, the manner in which you interview.

Always have a structured plan that guides both you and the candidate through the interview.  “Winging” the interview rarely works as you may forget to ask the in-depth questions that bring out the skills and qualifications of the candidate.

Be prepared, alert, and listen carefully. Candidates can tell when an interviewer is just going through the motions; thus, making them feel unimportant.

Set the stage well to will avoid losing good candidates from a poorly performed interview.