The ideal job interview: The 5 best practices

The job interview is the main stage of candidate selection process. It represents a unique opportunity to assess sought-after skills, professional experiences, but also the Motivation of the candidate And her compatibility with company culture as well as The position to be filled. In an interview individual, the recruiter can explore the candidate's past experiences in depth and assess their knowhow Through interview questions targeted (no trick questions). This direct exchange, in face to face interview or virtual, allows you to better understand how the candidate will integrate into the team and adapt to their new functions.

One structured recruitment interview, well done, is a guarantee of success. It helps to quickly identify the ideal candidate and to confirm his qualifications acquired in his former position through recruitment tests or scenarios. Mental preparation and the application of techniques ofskills assessment are therefore necessary to make good decisions.

Unfortunately, poorly performed recruitment can have disastrous consequences for the team and the company: reduced performance, disengagement, and even internal conflicts. Indeed, the cost of poor recruitment on the position to be filled is between 30,000 and 150,000 euros. That's why a profile evaluation thorough during the interview is necessary to ensure the success of recruitment and the smooth running of the company.

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1 ️ — Preparing for the interview: a fundamental step

As a future employer, preparation is very important to get a recruitment interview. As recruiters, insufficient preparation can lead to costly mistakes, such as biased evaluation candidates or a Waste of time. Poor preparation prevents the candidate's skills and motivation from being effectively identified.

For Prepare well for your job interview, start with read the documents carefully of the candidate: CV, cover letter, professional background and portfolio, make sure they are well updated. Don't forget to also check his professional profiles on social networks like LinkedIn. Identify key areas that need to be explored during the interview, whether they are specific experiences or technical skills.

Also define clear goals for the interview: What essential information do you need? This will allow you to structure and prepare the questions to be asked in interviews about the candidate's long-term professional project.

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Here is an example of a checklist for prepare for this interview :

1. Review the resume and cover letter.
2. Identify the elements that need to be studied in greater detail.
3. Preparing questions to assess skills and motivation.
4. Define the criteria for success for the proposed position.

En preparing carefully Each interview, you maximize your chances of finding a suitable candidate and avoiding costly mistakes.

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2 ️: A warm welcome: creating a climate of trust

The first contact with the candidate is decisive. A warm and caring welcome helps to reduce stress and to establish a Candidate-recruiter relationship positive. It promotes better communication and allows the candidate to feel at ease, which improves the quality of the exchange. One first impression Positive is important for pass an interview.

For a optimal reception, choose a quiet location and comfortable, conducive to concentration. Before you get started, plan a short introduction about the business and the Proposed position, which will put the discussion into context. Offer a drink or put a Light question on an informal topic can also help ease the mood. These gestures make it possible to better understand the personality of the candidate and to strengthen his Interest in the position.

However, there are some errors that can interfere with the reception: To be late or poorly organized can leave a negative impression. It is also essential to avoid any signs of disinterest or lack of professionalism, as this could call into question the Motivation of the candidate unto apply for a job.

By taking care of the reception, you optimize your chances of making a Good impression and to guarantee a smooth and productive interview, where the candidate will feel comfortable for Succeed in a job interview.

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3 ️ 803 Ask open and structured questions

One of the key elements for pass an interview Is the way in which we will put questions. Les open questions are particularly effective because they allow the candidate to provide detailed answers that illustrate their strengths and his past experiences. They also make it possible to better understand the personality of the candidate and to judge their ability to communicate clearly.

Conversely, the closed-ended questions, which generally require “yes” or “no” answers, may limit the exchange and may not offer enough information to assess the candidate's skills. For example, instead of asking, “Do you have experience in this area?” , it is more relevant to ask “Can you tell me about a professional challenge that you have overcome?” , which gives the candidate the opportunity to detail their background and pass an interview more thorough.

During this face-to-face meeting, it is also important to invite the candidate to discuss his salary expectations as well as the justification for this request.

A good maintenance structure consists of several phases:

1. Breaking the ice : Ask general questions about sector of activity and professional career.
2. Deepen skills : Highlight specific experiences that demonstrate Soft Skills and the technical skills of the candidate.
3. Validate cultural compatibility : Ask the candidate about their values and their approach to teamwork.

Finally, avoid common interview mistakes, such as Ambiguous questions or suggestive that could guide responses. These questions can skew the assessment and compromise the quality of the interview.

Asking the right questions will increase your chances of Succeed in a job interview and to find the candidate who best fits your expectations.

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4 ️ — Listening actively: the art of concentration

THEActive listening is essential for Succeed in a job interview. It's about paying total attention to the candidate, without interrupting them unnecessarily. This attentive listening allows you to better understand your answers and to understand important information about your skills and motivations. En having a job interview, the recruiter should focus on every word of the candidate and pay attention to his Body language, in order to properly interpret his answers.

To improve active listening, several techniques are effective. Maintain a eye contact constant shows the candidate that you are engaged in the conversation. Reformulating some of his answers makes it possible to validate his understanding and to guide him to more precise details. Plus, taking summary notes without losing the thread of the conversation is essential for keeping track of important information.

Showing positive attitudes is also essential to building trust. Show empathy, ask stimulus questions and validate the candidate's words with sentences like “It's interesting, can you detail?” promotes better communication.

On the other hand, traps like being distracted by your phone or by outside concerns can create a bad impression and harm the successful interview. It is important to avoid show a lack of interest, whether through gestures or facial expressions, as this can heavily affect the Candidate-recruiter relationship.

By practicing active listening, you optimize your chances of pass your interview and to obtain the information necessary to make the right recruitment choice.

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5 ️ ※ Use complementary assessment techniques

Diversifying assessment tools is essential to assess a candidate's skills more comprehensively. Some skills cannot be effectively judged solely through interview questions classics. That is why the addition of complementary assessment techniques is necessary to obtain a more precise vision of the candidate and to guarantee the Successful interview.

• Situation : These exercises are very effective in testing the candidate's ability to solve practical problems related to the position. They allow you to see how the candidate reacts in real contexts and under pressure.
• Technical tests : For example, Excel exercises or writing tests measure specific and technical skills that are essential for the job.
• Role-playing games : These techniques are ideal for observing behavioral skills such as conflict management or the candidate's ability to negotiate.

Choosing the right technique depends on vacancy. For example, a creative position will require different exercises than a technical position. It is important to adapt the tests to the requirements of the role while being careful not to stress the candidate excessively.

It is also essential to avoid some errors in the evaluation. Choosing exercises that are too complex or irrelevant can skew the results. You should also always clearly explain the purpose of each Hiring exam so that the candidate can prepare properly. En conducting an interview with diversified and well-chosen techniques, you increase your chances of making a good decision at the end of the interview.

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🌟 In short

To guarantee a Successful interview, it is essential to focus on three essential aspects of the job interview: a careful preparation, a Active listening and the use ofcomplementary assessment tools. Preparation makes it possible to better target the skills sought and to obtain the best information to assess the candidate. Active listening, on the other hand, promotes fluid communication and gives the recruiter a better understanding of the candidate's profile. Finally, diversifying assessment methods, such as simulations or technical tests, makes it possible to better measure the candidate's practical skills.

Recruiters, applying these best practices will help you improve your recruitment processes and to strengthen the effectiveness of your teams. A well-prepared and structured interview makes it possible to find not only a competent candidate, but also a person who fits perfectly into your company culture.

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💡 Read also

• How do you write a good job description?
• The essential tools for your recruitments

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