We are in the process of hiring part time and seasonal/temporary employees (again).
It's one of the most difficult tasks we face.....the decisions made will impact our work, and even personal, lives on a daily basis.
Some things to consider: 1. Prepare Questions in Advance
We expect applicants will show up to the interview fully prepared.
The same holds true for us as interviewers.
Always make sure to review the position you're interviewing for and prepare a list of basic questions in advance.
It's tempting to skip this step, or rely on the same old questions, but draw your motivation from past hiring mistakes!
Take the time to do it right now.
Also, you want to make sure new hires will "fit in" to the culture of your store.
To help you assess this, add a few questions to your list that are outside the box.
Ask them to describe their ideal work environment, name one thing they would change about their previous position, or share one thing that makes them want to jump out of bed each morning.
Not sure what you should ask?
Contact any MMBA Director or Paul for some ideas.
2. Know What You Cannot Ask
While you're compiling your list of interview questions, keep in mind some common questions are actually inappropriate and cannot be asked.
In general, you should focus on asking questions that are directly related to the job, rather than fishing for personal information.
Not sure which ones you should avoid?
Contact MMBA or ask your City Administration for some guidelines.
3. Take Notes During the Interview
Do you tend to rely on your memory?
Don't be concerned that taking notes will detract from the interview or make you look unprofessional.
By taking detailed notes, you'll help yourself recall important information afterward.
These notes will come in handy as you evaluate applicants and identify the best one for the job.
4. Listen
Along with taking notes, another good practice is to let candidates do the talking.
To quote my father, "In any meaningful conversation, we should speak less than 30% of the time and listen for at least 70%!"
Don't be in a hurry to get to the next question.
By the time you hold an interview, a lot of time and effort has already been spent.
Focus on making it all about the person you're speaking with.
After you introduce yourself and review the position, you can begin asking the questions you prepared earlier.
Resist the urge to speak.
Give the candidate enough time to answer and provide sufficient information.
Ask follow-up questions to get clarification when needed (or to simply show interest and keep the dialog going).
5. Involve Your Team
Once hired, your new employee will interact with other staff members more often than with you!
So why not include your team in your interview process?
Allow a couple of employees to sit in and get a feel for the candidates.
Have them take notes and share their impressions on each candidate.
Our employees are the basis of our profitability (and sanity)!
Spend the time necessary to focus on your hiring process!
Best Wishes for a Successful Holiday Season!
Candice Woods Hutchinson |