Page 144 - Boost Your Hiring

130 Boost Your Hiring IQ

I will begin our interview by asking some general questions about
you and your experience, and then I’ll move to more specific questions
about the job and your fit for the position.
I will be taking notes throughout the process. Please feel free to take
notes as well and to ask questions as we move through the process. (If
you would prefer, you can ask the candidate to hold questions until the
end of the interview.) I will give you an opportunity to ask additional
questions at the end of the interview. Do you have any questions before
we begin?

Then explain the essential function of the job and ask the candidate if
he or she can perform the duties of the job with reasonable accommoda-
tion. If possible, provide the candidate with a description of the job.

Taking Notes
Even if you have a photographic memory, you will need to take
notes during the interview. Use the prepared form which we dis-
cussed in Step One, or a notepad. Notes should be taken consistently
throughout the interview so that they will be less disruptive to the
candidate. If you suddenly stop and write something down right
after it is said, it may cause the candidate to wonder what mistake he
or she just made.
Note taking requires some skill, since you will be listening to what is
being said and also trying to get key points down on paper. It will be-
come easier after you have done it a few times, and with experience, you
will devise your own form of shorthand. The following provides an ex-
ample scenario of note taking:

You are interviewing Marianne, and she gives you an example of her ex-
perience in leading a team of 40 people. After analyzing the processes
used, she was able to initiate a $2 million cost-saving program through
improvements in procedures and training. She received the “key player”
award for the year. (This example demonstrates ability to lead, improve
process, take initiative, analyze, and think outside the box as well as
demonstrating cost-saving experience savvy and experience.)

Example of note taking: led team 40, analy skil, init project, $2M
save—key player.—leader, initit, big picture, $.

Your notes will assist you in asking more specific questions and will
prompt you to delve deeper into the answer using behavioral questions.