Page 148 - Boost Your Hiring

134 Boost Your Hiring IQ

Listen with Interest

To exhibit good listening skills and to indicate to the candidate that you
are interested in what he or she is saying, try the following techniques:
• Reflecting back: Make comments like,“It sounds like you had a dif-
ficult time in that position,” or, “That must have been a very chal-
lenging project to undertake.”

• Nonverbal clues: Leaning forward in your chair demonstrates in-
terest. Leaning back in your chair is intimidating. Change your pos-
ture throughout the interview.
• Keep your energy level up: Just as you pick up or lose energy from
the candidate, he or she will reflect your style. Many people are
trained to mirror the interviewer’s posture and attitude.
• Acting enthusiastically: Some candidates are more interesting than
others, and sometimes showing enthusiasm will take an effort on
your part, especially if the candidate has a monotone voice and is
low key.
• Encouragement: Nodding your head occasionally is a sign to the
candidate that you are listening and interested.

• Keeping a poker face: Even though you may be shocked at what is
being said, show no surprise or distaste. When the applicant shares,
“My last boss made sexual advances toward me, and I am in the
process of bringing a sexual harassment suit,” hold that expres-
sion—no raised eyebrows. This is not a time to judge or advise.

Identifying Behaviors
and Patterns
The work you have done by determining the qualities you are looking
for prior to the interview will help you identify those specific skills and
traits you are seeking during the actual interview. You will see patterns
begin to emerge, and you will know the hot areas or red flags to watch
for. You are listening for past experiences that reveal the way each can-
didate has handled difficult situations.
At this point in the interview you will begin to have some insight into
the candidate’s communication style and whether or not this person is
going to fit into your culture. This fit will be important to the candidate
as well as to the company. The expense involved in recruiting will be
wasted if the employee is unsatisfied with the job and leaves after only