Interviewing Traps

by Mitzi Taylor

When you are interviewing, think about your frame of mind prior to meeting with candidates. Are you:

• ‘Grumpy,’ because this is such a time consuming task and you don’t feel you have time to do it?
• ‘Dopey,’ because you know there are questions you shouldn’t ask, but don’t know what they are?
• ‘Bashful,’ because you are really uncomfortable getting other people to give you the information you need to make an objective decision?
• ‘Happy,’ because you know you are part of the process that ensures the continued success of your organization? 

 If you answered other than ‘Happy’ you may want to use ‘Doc’ to help you review your hiring practices. Admittedly there are many pitfalls involved in hiring new employees. It is an extremely expensive and time-consuming process that if not handled correctly could cost your company hundreds of thousands of dollars in a court of law. The person sitting across from you in an interview is the most important person in the room at the time. They might just be the future CEO of the company (if managed correctly).

Even if they do not get the position, they have a mouth. They will talk about the way you and your company treated them during the interview process. Can your company afford the bad press? Here are some questions to ask your self prior to interviewing for a position: 

√    How are you ensuring you are being as objective as possible?

√    Have you defined core competencies for the position and your company?

√    Are you asking every candidate the same questions?

√    Do you know what the cost is to hire at your company?

√    Who is doing most of the talking during the interview?

√    Have you set very clear expectations about the position and culture of your company? 

Interviewing is similar to detective work. You are trying to find your next world-class employee and you know he/she is out there somewhere. If you feel ‘Grumpy,’ ‘Dopey,’ or ‘Bashful,’ about the above questions, call the ‘Doc’ (NSBT) and we will give you the tools to make you ‘happy’ and become the hero because you were able to match the perfect employee with the open position.