5 Pre-Interview Steps Every Employer Should Take

You’ve spent hours defining the job, advertising the position, and scouring the employment marketplace for just the right candidates. Don’t blow it by not properly preparing for the job interview. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Houston, TX, Murray Resources knows that being well prepared will help you make the most of this vitally important hiring tool. Here’s how to get started.

Step #1: Make sure you have enough time for the interview.

Don’t try to squeeze in a candidate between meetings, or schedule only a half hour for an interview. You need to set aside enough time to not only interview the candidate, but also give the candidate time to ask questions. Also, make sure that wherever you conduct the interview, it’s private and quiet and that you’re not constantly checking your email or text messages.

Step #2: Read each candidate’s resume again.

Even though you’ve read the candidate’s resume before, make sure you review it again before the interview. Make any notes on it about facts you want to check or questions you may have. Knowing the resume ahead will also give you more time to dig deeper – beyond the basics – during the interview.

Step #3: Keep the job description handy.

Make sure you also review the job description ahead of the interview and keep it nearby in case you need to reference it. Doing so will make it easier for you to assess each job candidate. Also, create a short list of the traits and qualifications that are absolutely essential and those that are simply nice-to-have. Besides specific hard skills and experience, think too about the type of personality you’re looking for in a candidate. Do you need someone who works well under pressure, some who’s an extrovert, or someone who can take a project and run with it? Identifying these intangibles ahead of time will make it easier for you to spot the candidates with them.

Step #4: Write out your questions ahead of time.

Have a standard set of 10 to 12 questions you plan to ask each candidate (so you can easily compare them later), but also be sure to ask some questions that pertain to each individual’s unique background. That doesn’t mean you won’t or can’t ask any questions off the cuff. You’ll know when it’s time to move off script.

Step #5: Be prepared to answer questions.

A good candidate will arrive at the interview with their own questions about the job, the company, and its culture. Be ready to answer their inquiries. Typically, most candidates ask about what the expectations for the position are, how their performance will be measured, what the company culture is like, the advancement opportunities available, and the benefits and perks offered.

Do you need more help finding and interviewing the best candidates? Call Murray Resources. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Houston, TX, organizations all over the city rely on our expertise to source and retain top talent for hard-to-fill, key positions across a broad range of business disciplines. Contact us today to find out more.