Hire Winners: Avoid These 10 Interview No-No?s

Have you ever hired someone who did not live up to expectations? I'm sure many of us have at one time. The purpose of the interview is to obtain good information about an applicant to make a wise selection decision. It may sound simple but then why are there so many poor hires? The reason is that many hiring managers make 10 key interviewing errors that prevent them from hiring the best people.

  • Beginning an interview saying, "I haven't had time to really review your resume?so tell me about yourself."

    Before every interview, study the person's resume to zero in on qualifications, to decide on what questions to ask and to make efficient us of the allotted time.

  • Asking for information you already have.

    You ask, "Let's see, how long have you been in your current position?" This is a wasted question because you should know the answer from the application. The interview should be used to obtain new information and hone in on the applicant's capabilities.

  • Being afraid to ask tough questions.

    If you uncover anything during the reference checking or employment history review that raises red flags, ask about it during the interview. It is important that you clear up any concerns before you reject or hire the applicant.

  • Overselling your company.

    Many interviewers brag about how things are booming in order to lure an applicant on board. Do not paint an unrealistic picture of your company. Rather lay out the strengths and weaknesses putting them in perspective.

  • Allowing non-emergency interruptions.

    Your office door should be closed. Put calls and messages on hold. Remember, the key purpose of an interview is to determine if this person is a good fit for the position. Don't waste this precious time on other matters.

  • Asking these popular but meaningless questions.

    For example, What book would you want to have if you were stranded on a desert island? What animal would you be?" Rather, ask specific questions about an applicant's skills and experience.

  • Not spelling out the position requirements.

    It is imperative that people know what is required of them before beginning a job. The interview is the time to outline the job's requirements, as well as your criteria for evaluating success in the role. Then the applicant can self-select out if not qualified.

  • Talking more then listening.

    Wait for answers. Silence suggests that you expect more information. Listen with the third ear, the one that asks the questions: "What did the person really say? Why does he or she answer that way, and what does that tell me?"

  • Creating unnecessary tension.

    If you deliberately try to catch the person off balance, you're not being fair to the applicant or yourself. You may get the pleasure of watching a person squirm, but are you getting a true picture of his skills and experience to make a wise hiring decision?

  • Forgetting the Golden Rule.

    Treat every applicant the way you'd like to be treated with courtesy and respect. Appreciate the person's accomplishments even if they are not a match for the job. Always thank the person for her time and interest. As one applicant said, "The way you are treated coming in the door tells how you will be treated once inside."

    • Make the next interview count. Think back to previous interviews you have conducted. Did you make any of the above mistakes? If so, what can you do to improve your interviewing skills the next time around?

    Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ­ to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ­ resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ­ fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    The 70% Solution: Practical Testing and Version Control

    "What do you mean you need to push back the... Read More

    Performance Evaluations Can Be Beneficial

    THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW MEETING: It's a fact - most supervisors... Read More

    Knowledge Mapping

    This module focuses on the basics of Knowledge Mapping, its... Read More

    Management Training: Are You Satisfied With The Results?

    If you're not satfied with the results of your management... Read More

    Human Resource Communication Pays Off

    Human Resource Communications and Corporate Communications ? are they one... Read More

    From Boring to Interesting - Making Training Effective

    Being a good trainer requires experience and skill. Experience comes... Read More

    Creativity and Innovation Management: Generating Better Ideas

    Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

    The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Conflict Becoming the Norm ? Part 2

    A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More

    Prioritise Your Day - Keep Focus - Win!

    Whether you run your own business or manage a team,... Read More

    Develop Your Managers and Keep Your Staff

    Following on from the last edition of The Organised Times... Read More

    Optimizing Your Cash Flow With Proper Accounts Receivable Management

    Businesses miss on growth opportunities and even close their doors... Read More

    Business Innovation ? Status Games

    Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

    Motivation - It Starts with Acknowledgement

    Acknowledgement is about recognition or attention from another person. It... Read More

    Micromanagement and Delegation

    Micro-Management and Delegation ... Read More

    7 Strategies for Sustained Innovation

    The need for constant reinvention is a given in today's... Read More

    Medical Malpractice: Three Myths That Cost Your Hospital Millions

    What's the use?Nothing you do will hold down the cost... Read More

    Instantly Uncover Your Corporate Culture

    Best Definition of "Corporate Culture"If you ask 10 people to... Read More

    Todays Employees and Their New Needs: What You Need to Know

    Today's employees are not only interested in security or in... Read More

    Does Your Management Style Remind People Of Something They Read In Dilbert?

    With thanks to Jeff Foxworthy, the comedian who does the... Read More

    So, You Want to be in Management? Five Essential Factors that Will Determine Your Chances

    The following information is based upon over 500 interviews with... Read More

    Commercial Collections Billing Practices Advice

    Swiftness is the key to collecting past due commercial accounts... Read More

    Joint Accountability: Another Key for Your Effectiveness

    I once was part of a group of management professors... Read More

    How To Decrease Profits Without Really Trying

    Hurting your sales efforts can be accomplished easily with the... Read More

    What Every Manager Should Know About How to Conduct Successful Training Activities

    Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More

    Innovation Management ? Good Leadership

    Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

    Five Overlooked Ways To Hire Winners

    Here is a true story. My dentist did a "clinical"... Read More

    Pricing Strategy for Retail Flower Shops

    When you create your profit and loss statement to assess... Read More

    Jewelry Use by Employees

    Many companies have dress codes, which include jewelry. Some companies... Read More

    Why You Should Hold One More Meeting

    If you are completely happy with where you and your... Read More

    Getting the Most from Appraisals

    Does your organisation have one of those annual 'occasions' that... Read More

    Making Assumptions - A Critical Communication Mistake In Business And In Your Personal Life!

    We draw conclusions about people through observation, their behavior, past... Read More

    Can What Someone Does Off-hours Affect Your Business?

    Q: How much do I have to worry about what... Read More

    The New Five Truths of Employee Motivation

    Motivation is a term that is so widely used, yet... Read More