Page 159 - Boost Your Hiring

The Surefire Way to Boost Your Score 145

If you work for a large corporation, chances are the HR department
has taken care of the forms and sometimes even the coordinating of the
interview. An interview in a corporation or large organization tends to
be more structured, meaning each candidate is asked the same ques-
tions.

The Unstructured
Conversation
If you are working for a smaller company, it may be up to you to set up
and coordinate some type of order or system to evaluate job candidates
in a fair and impartial manner.
Unstructured interviews or informal questions are like a conversation
and can flow from one subject to another with no particular pattern.The
setting can also be flexible and can be as informal as a bench in a mall or
a room in a hotel. No two interviews are alike. There may not be forms
or a rating system.
If you decide to use the unstructured interview, think about the fac-
tors you are looking for in this person. That way you will have some
level of objectivity regarding your choice based on facts rather than a
gut feeling.

Note Taking during
the Interview
You should take notes so that you will be able to recall what the candi-
date said when you are comparing candidates and rating the interview.
Use judgment with note taking, making sure that your note writing
isn’t taking over the process or hampering your ability to connect with
the candidate.
Remember, it is challenging to give your full attention to someone
while you’re taking copious notes. The key word here is moderation.
Avoid being so busy taking notes that you cannot observe the candidate,
thereby missing out on body language, eye contact, and general de-
meanor.