Recruiting new employees part two: Improving your interview technique

By KMC Human Resources

23 May 2016

Taking on new staff can be a difficult and potentially costly process. As such, we have decided to focus on this topic for a mini series of blogs, each of which will cover a different aspect in the process.

Last time we looked at sourcing the right candidates. This time, we look at interviewing them.

Conducting interviews can be a lengthy and laborious task. Whether it’s something you have to do on a regular basis or not, interviews are something that almost all managers need to do during their careers.

Having a good interview technique is something that rarely comes naturally. Clients often report that they will get to the end of an interview and realise that although they have gleaned a lot of information about a candidate, they actually have little idea as to how suitable they would be for the role at hand.

Here are a few tips on honing your interview technique, helping to ensure that you make the right decisions when hiring members of staff:

Take time to think about the role and its requirements. The format of an interview will likely vary depending on the particular role you are trying to fill.

For example, interviewing for customer service personnel and technical IT support staff will demand different skills to be demonstrated. Whilst we would advise having a standard set of questions per role, take time to consider these before embarking on interviews for each position.

Utilise the job description you have put together and establish the key skills and attributes you are looking for in a candidate, then design questions based around these. Ask for examples of how the candidate has previously demonstrated the criteria concerned.

Remember your questioning style. Whilst potential candidates will probably be feeling nervous during an interview, it is easy to forget that as the interviewer, you may also feel under pressure.

Try to retain an open questioning style at all times, avoiding closed questions (ie. those that will only elicit a yes/no answer). Open questions will allow candidates to give detailed responses, the contents of which can be revealing to interviewers.

Open questions may start with “Tell me about”, “Describe to me”, “Explain to me”.

Don’t forget the art of conversation. Whilst you will want to check that the candidates have the required skills for the role, it is also important that any potential new member of staff will fit culturally within the organisation. Take some time, ideally before the formal set of questions, to engage in some informal conversation. This will not only put the candidate at ease, allowing more of their personality to come across, but also pave the way for a more honest and informative interview to follow. For more help and advice on hiring staff, or to speak to KMC HR about HR training, which includes training managers on interview techniques, please contact us.

Latest news

1

Business academies to continue for an additional year Cllr Mark Smith (r) with Top Gun Tools & Fixings team presenting Blackpool Net Zero Academy certificate

Business academies to continue for an additional year

22 Apr 2025

2

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates Richard Robinson Feat IMG

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates

22 Apr 2025

3

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors Promotions at Farleys Solicitors

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors

22 Apr 2025

4

Tissue manufacturers to let former India Mill site in Blackburn India Mill

Tissue manufacturers to let former India Mill site in Blackburn

22 Apr 2025

5

Heysham Port set for £10m upgrade to boost capacity and efficiency at facility The Port of Heysham

Heysham Port set for £10m upgrade to boost capacity and efficiency at facility

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Pure Leisure Group to Host Job Fair as Part of Recruitment Drive
sllv ext 66.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
23 Apr 2025 - 23 Apr 2025

Pure Leisure Group to Host Job Fair as Part of Recruitment Drive

South Lakeland Leisure Village, Carnforth, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin