Interviewing: From the Employer Side of the Desk
Spend any amount of time with someone who has done recruiting and interviewing and you can be fairly certain that they will spill their favorite interviewing mishap if you ask. Deadlines for filling a role, tough cultures looking for that “perfect” fit, poor job markets and candidate nervousness can all add up quickly for an interesting cocktail of disaster. Speaking of cocktails, yes, I have interviewed candidates who have come to the interview under the influence. “Tried to take the edge off the nerves before I got here with a shot of tequila” was one heck of an opening line. Below are a few of my favorite unfortunate interviewing experiences along with the corrective actions to prep future candidates.
The handshake. I feel everyone has met someone with the “limp fish” handshake. My most awkward handshake moment, at the end of an interview the gentleman kissed my hand. Pretty sure I turned bright red and stuttered as I said “thank you for your time.” Please just offer a firm, preferably non-sweaty, handshake at the introduction of the interview and at the wrap. I need to know that you are serious about the interview and feel that this is one of the easiest ways to show you are interested and invested.
“Please just stop talking.” So many times, I have been mid-interview and a candidate’s nervousness has gotten the best of them. Let’s be honest, it happens to everyone at some point or another. We all want to showcase our best attributes and have wonderful, interesting comments and stories to back these up. But, please, don’t make up rambling stories that don’t pertain to the question I asked. The ramblings don’t just happen with candidates either. I have had my fair share of managers sitting in on interviews who have begun to tell candidates horror stories about the department or company. Listen to the questions and respond accordingly. If you don’t have an answer, say so. If you don’t understand my question, please let me know.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Aretha had it right- Why can’t you turn off your cell phone? I want to respect your time and expect that you feel the same. I really don’t want to hear the unedited BuckCherry ringtone in the middle of our interview. I also don’t want to talk to your wife. No, seriously. I once went to the lobby to call my candidate back and his wife stopped me before I could even introduce myself. She shared that she didn’t trust her husband to have any one-on-one meetings with another female. She threw a fit when I shared that there wasn’t a male available to interview. Needless to say, that interview was a quick one, right in the lobby as she hovered. If you cannot detach from your phone for that 30-60 minutes, you have to turn the ringer off.
Don’t lie. I work in HR, I understand that sometimes people just aren’t a fit for a job or culture. I hate when I have a candidate who isn’t willing to acknowledge that they were terminated. It happens, accept responsibility, tell me what you learned and what you’ve done to change for success.
As an interviewer, I cannot control the candidate’s behaviors, but I can control how I react and direct the conversations. We set the example in the interview. Let’s make sure that we initiate the firm handshake. Respect our candidates’ time by asking questions that really apply to the position and culture. Show them we are focused by turning the ring off our phones and closing our laptops. Ask open ended questions. Maybe most importantly, try not to act too surprised if they tell you they want their mom to sit in on the interview. What’s your craziest interviewing experience?