Even though many businesses have shut down their hiring processes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some companies still need new staff to operate. But anyone who has ever worked in recruitment knows that hiring someone without even meeting them is a recipe for disaster. Needs must, though, and if your business requires more staff, you need to know how to overcome this significant hurdle.
Do They Seem a Good Fit?
Finding a candidate that seems like the perfect fit for the office (once everyone returns) can often feel impossible. However, there are ways that you, as the interviewer, can test whether they would blend in well with existing staff.
If you are conducting group interviews, creating a collaborative task will highlight how well they work with others and whether they are diplomatic, overbearing, or too shy to fit your culture. This doesn’t always tell the full story, though, so assigning individual tasks, such as an Enneagram test, to check how their personality matches your values will provide additional information you may need to make a decision.
It would be best to carry these tests out in person, but this is not possible right now, but if you need an immediate starter, then these tasks and tests can give you an excellent idea over suitability.
Get the Right Answers With the Right Questions
Any candidate should attend an interview prepared, but while this demonstrates their diligence, it can also come off as too fake. This is especially a problem when interviewing over Skype or similar programs, as they could have all of their answers to typical interview questions ready in a document off-screen.
To test their suitability for the role, try catching them off guard with questions they were not expecting. Everyone assumes they will be asked their biggest weakness, and usually, it will be a positive disguised as a negative. Sidestep this by asking about misconceptions rather than weaknesses. It will force them to think on their feet, and you will get an honest answer.
Read Their Signs
Experienced interviewers always know the signs to look for in a candidate. There is the typical slouching or the rhythmic nod that appears they are paying attention but are instead just preparing for the next question. These should be immediate indications that they are not right for the role. But there are others, too.
Their eye contact is a crucial thing to look for, especially if they keep glancing off-screen, maybe at their phone or even the TV. This is not a good look for anybody and shows they feel too comfortable. Being comfortable is not a negative thing, but demonstrating such a casual attitude to a potential job is a red flag, regardless of how confident they may appear.
Welcome Aboard
Every recruitment officer wants the first interview to go so flawlessly that there is no need to interview anybody else. However, it never works out like that. To ensure that your business hires the best person for the job, even in times are strange and unusual as right now, following these guidelines will guarantee that you identify the right candidate for the job and see instant results for your business.
