How to conduct interviews?

How to conduct interviews

Interview is a two way process
The interviewer is trying to assess the
candidate for the job suitability
The candidate is trying to find out whether
the organisation is fit to join along with job
profile and salary fitment.

Basics of interview
Inform the candidate much in advance
about the date, venue and time of interview.
This will help the candidate to learn about
the organisation and to prepare
himself/herself for the interview.

Different types of interview

Written test
Group discussion
Technical / Skill test
One to one personal interview with the
panel of interviewers

Types of interviews
Normally written test and group discussions
are for entry level candidates or at Campus
Trade test / skill tests are given for
candidates to test their skills Eg ; Civil,
Electrical, Mechanical, Soft ware
languages, Stenography, Computer package
knowledge, Design etc.

Stress interviews

For candidates who have prior experience are

directly put on One to One interview where direct
questions are asked to asses their professional skill
and knowledge.
To find out the job fit and other man management
skill.
To find out the salary and other benefits to see
whether he/she fits to the norms of the Company

Interview Panel

Normally interview panel consists of not more

than 3 members.
One from the direct department
One from any other department / project who
knows the subject of the post called for.
The other person will be from the HR department
to monitor and to asses the Attitude and aptitude
of the candidate

Tips for interviewers

Study the resume of the candidate before hand.

Allow the HR representative to introduce the panel
members to the Candidate
Let the interview begin with HR representative
asking the basic questions like family background,
previous organisation, educational qualification etc.,
Make the candidate feel free and comfortable.
Dont start pouring questions one after the other as
soon as the candidate comes in.

Tips for interviewers

Take the lead from HR representative.
When he gives the indication to start on the
subject, do start questioning.
Start with simple basic questions on the
subject to build confidence in the candidate.
Pose question and wait for the candidate to
to think and answer.
Dont rush him to answer.

Tips for interviewer

If the candidate does not know answer
properly dont ridicule or condemn him/her.
This will put the candidate into negative
feeling and he/she will loose confidence.
If the candidate does not know the answer
dont try to teach him the answer but you
can always give a lead to build his answer.

Tips for interview

Never ridicule the candidate on the marks he has

obtained in the college. It is all past. You cant correct it.
Never ask questions on his caste, creed, religion. Leave
this to HR representative as they know how to and when
to pose these questions.
Never pose questions on any physical handicap of
candidate. Eg : stammering, some forced habit,
Bear with it and point it out to HR representative later
after the interview if such handicap will affect his
normal functioning.

Tips for interviewers

If the candidate is too nervous, help him to relax .

Give him a scribbling pad and a pencil to
demonstrate his answer. This will ease him out and
he/she can explain better.
If three members are in the panel, let one person
complete his questions and wait for the candidate
to answer. Before he /she answers dont pose one
more question by another member of the panel.

Tips for interviewers

Never get biased about the looks of the
candidates.
Never ask delicate or embarrassing
questions especially to lady candidates.
A Humour is always welcome. But see that
it does not hurt the candidates feeling.
Never advise the candidate. He has not
come for interview to take your advise.

Tips for interviewers

Dont boast about your past achievements.
He/she will not be interested to know as to
how you have come up.
Conduct the interview in a sequential
pattern. Let one member finish at a time. As
clarification you may interrupt. Dont pose
questions simultaneously.

Tips for interviewers

We call the candidates to select and not to reject. See the

positive points to select.
Try to find out the strengths rather than weakness of the
candidate
If he/she does not answer a question, go to the next one.
Dont keep on stressing on the question untill he/she
answers.
Find out whether he/she has grasping capacity and
potential to grow.
Never argue with the candidate. Reason it out if he/she is
argumentative.

Tips for interviewers

Never show your dissatisfaction directly to the

candidate.
If required ask the candidate to wait outside for
some time. Discuss your points with HR
representative and ask him to communicate the
results of the interview to the candidate.
Leave the salary fitment to the HR representative
and the discussions of salary details with the
candidate. You may always give indication.

Tips for interviewers

If there are more than one candidate for interview,

please discuss with the panel immediately after the
one candidate interview and rate him/her. You may
forget, if you try to evaluate all candidates at the
end of the interview.
Short list the candidates and discuss with HR
representative the next course of action after
interviewing all the candidates.
Give order of selection and alternative choice.

Summing up

Close the interview with a good note.

Wish the candidate good luck.
Thank him for attending the interview.
Ask the candidate if he/she has some questions as
clarification.
If the candidate poses questions please clarify
him/her ,whether he /she is going to get selected
or not. This gives a good impression about the
company and the interviewers.

Next time when you are in the

panel please do remember these
points
Thank you
B N Nagaraj