Hiring Managers Need to Prep for Interviews Too!

Last week we had a new owner/CEO of a small manufacturing business in our office to interview several candidates for a Plant Manager position. Since this format is unusual nowadays, it gave a unique insight into how well our clients prepare for interviews. Here is what this particular client did during his interviews:

He arrived twenty minutes late, which threw off the schedule for all candidates.
His approach was to jump into each candidate’s background, experience and job changes for 55 minutes, followed by a 5 minute overview of the company, growth plans and the job.
He took a call from his wife during one of the meetings.

The feedback I received from all the candidates was the same: “Nice guy, but I still don’t know much about the company, his vision, or what the job really is…” This made me realize that as recruiters, we always prepare our candidates thoroughly for their interviews- but clients, not so much…

Hiring authorities- here are some tips on how to prepare for your next interview:

Be on time. Most candidates need to take off time from work to meet with you. They are on time. Please show them the same courtesy.
It’s not all about what you want. Yes, of course you have to qualify them for the job, and determine if they fit your culture… but they also need to understand what you are looking for, to determine if they can do the job, and to give them a reason to pursue the role.
Have a vision for your company. Where you want to take it, how you will arrive there, and what this person’s role will be in helping you get there.
Share your feeling with the candidates. And if you have questions, ask.
REALLY listen to them. An interview should be a two-way conversation, a 50/50 sharing of ideas. What they want is just as important as what you want.
Close on the next step. If you know you will be moving ahead with them, let them know. If you know you won’t be, let them know that as well, and the reasons why.

The better you are prepared to meet with candidates, the better your chances are of landing the right ones!

-Tim