So You Are Interviewing Candidates for a Job

Opposed to anyone’s doubt, the employer is also as nervous as the candidate.  A job interview triggers stress for both, the interviewee, who wants the job real bad and don’t want to fail, and the prospective employer, who is responsible to hire the best and a good fit for the organization/agency.

The employer is aware that the person about to be interviewed had written so much good stuff in that resume. However, is it all true? What flaws are underneath that can’t be seen? Will one interview be enough to dig deep into the exchange in hopes that the truth will come out?

Most candidates for jobs will be heavily prepared for the interview. Many will rehearse like actors do before auditions, and will go thru mock interviews with friends or family.  It doesn’t matter how many interviews you have had with a prospective employee, you will never find out whether the candidate really has  the most critical skills that are needed in your workplace, because during an interview, a candidate’s primary goal is to be in his/her best behavior to impress you in order to get the job.

The qualities that you should be really looking in a candidate will not be written in the resume. To me, if someone applies for a job and is called for an interview means that the resume somehow matches the requirements of the position. However, I always look beyond what is required, hoping to uncover five of the most significant skills that any new employee should bring to my workplace:

1.    Honesty

2.    Tolerance

3.    Respect

4.    Commitment

5.    Peoples Skills

Yes, there are a zillion more qualities/skills that can be listed. However, these are my top five because candidates who possess them would be excellent additions to any workplace. Let’s not forget that in management, one spend more than 80% of the time dealing with staff-related office issues.  The rest it can be taught, but these 5 elements, are part of the individual’s character.