APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions and meets an inspirational CEO.
Here she gives a reader advice on how to be a good interviewer when recruiting a new team member.
Q) Six months ago I was promoted into a manager role at the company I̢۪ve been at for three years.
Now I need to recruit a new member of my team, but I’m really anxious about the interview process. I know that I’ve personally struggled with job interviews in the past and my nerves tend to get the better of me – and I’m scared the same will happen when I’m the one asking the questions!
Do you have any tips about how to be a good interviewer?
Rosie, via email
A) Many people get nervous when it come to interviews – whichever side of the process they’re on!
As an interviewer, you̢۪re looking for a reason to give the interviewee the job, rather than why you shouldn̢۪t.
First, make sure you fully understand the role you are recruiting for, and the skills and experience you need the right candidate to have.
Study the applicants̢۪ CVs and LinkedIn profiles before the interview, making notes on their relevant experience and achievements you̢۪d like to learn more about.
It is also important to identify any areas where they may not have the relevant experience or skillset, and explore this within the interview.
Have a list of questions that you want to cover, but also allow the conversation to flow.
This shows that you are listening, and it can lead to other questions you were planning to ask – some of the best interviews I have held have been more conversational.
Always give the interviewee an opportunity to ask you a few questions, so they can learn more about the company and the team and how they fit into it, too..
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email [email protected].
