I enjoy job interviews. It's probably the WOO'er in me, but I love to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself?" I've got it down to an exact science and it's pretty good, if I do say so myself. I also have a standard go-to interview suit. It's a black, Banana Republic classic three-button pants suit that says classic and conservative. For the first interview, I always pair it with a button down shirt that's got a little flair that to me says, "Take a closer look, hiring manager. There's more than meets the eye."
Since I've started interviewing again, I've been noticing lots of advice for people like me looking for a new job. From The Today Show to the Omaha World Herald, there are lots of media sites that have some great tips on what to wear, how to answer the inevitable, "What motivates you?" and great questions to ask.
But I've noticed there isn't a lot of advice for hiring managers in terms of protocol and tactics. So, with the help of some friends who are/were in the same boat as myself, I have put together some tips for hiring managers that will make your jobs simpler, alleviate any confusion on the interviewees part and hopefully be a win-win-win.
1) Spell check is your friend. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I actually saw a communication job spelled "comminication". What's crazy to me is that it never came up in spell-checker. Like in this article I'm writing, it's clearly highlighted. Need I say more?
2) Make sure the job description matches the actual job. My friend *Bob says, "I'm trying to match my stengths with what you are looking for. So, if the job is in communications, but really there's a lot of math and science involved, obviously I wouldn't be a good candidate." Makes a lot of sense and it saves both the hiring manager and the person looking for the perfect fit-- a lot of time and effort.
As a sidebar, it's also a good idea to be upfront on whether the position is new or just being filled. Because many times with a new position, no one knows what exactly that job is or will turn into--so it's difficult to determine how to answer questions based on something that's not clear in the first place.
3) Communicate. Once you make it through the formal/in person interview, get back to us on where you're at in the hiring process. Interviewing is really like dating, so if you know immediately it's not a good fit, don't string us along, let us know that you're not that into us. We can handle it, at the end of the day, it's business and we want to find a place where we belong too and feel comfortable. Adds another friend, Stephanie, "If I have to roll out of bed and put on my suit for an interview, the least you can do is get back to me. It's just respectful and only takes two minutes of your time."
4) Follow the standard interview protocol. I once went through an interview process where I drove to the business (farther than 50 miles) for the first interview and then the hiring manager says, "Okay, let's schedule your phone interview for next week." What? Doesn't the phone interview precede the in-person meet and greet? It confused me and needless to say I didn't get the job, nor did I want it.
5) Tell the truth. I recently received the following email: "Good Morning Lora, Hope your weekend went well. Unfortunately we have decided to fill the role...with a different candidate. Thank you so very much for your interest...Please let me know if you have any questions." Here's my question, why is my friend now being interviewed for the position if it's already been filled?
I'm sure there's more of these tips for hiring managers that I'm leaving out. If I've missed something or you have a story you want to share, please chime in!
*Actual name has been changed.
