Interviewing is a critical juncture in finding the right candidate to hire and onboard. This opportunity to assess skills, cultural fit, and potential for success within an organization. But poorly prepared and conducted interviews can also overlook potential. Remember, a well-conducted interview can reveal insights beyond a resume or application. At Acquire Talent, we understand the importance of mastering the art of interviewing to ensure that our clients hire the best candidates, including the hidden gems that may otherwise be overlooked. In the coming posts, we will explore the before, during, and after of the interview process, and in this post, we will take a look at three tips to prepare a great interview:

1. Define the Role Clearly

Clarity is to interview what location is to real estate. Before the interview process begins, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the role you are hiring for. This includes the key responsibilities, required skills, and desired qualifications. A well-defined job description will guide your interview questions and help you evaluate candidates consistently. A clearly defined role is your north star before, during, and after your interview.

2. Create a Structured Interview Plan

A structured interview plan ensures that all candidates are assessed using the same criteria, reducing bias and improving the reliability of your evaluations. Develop a set of core questions that align with the role’s requirements and your company’s values. This will provide a consistent framework for comparing candidates. It is important to note, this does not mean you need to follow a tight and specific script – think of the structured plan as scaffolding. Each candidate will have some unique responses that will lead to additional questions – expect these, but have a plan to bring things back to your core questions.

3. Review Candidate Materials Thoroughly

Before the interview, review each candidate’s resume, cover letter, and any other application materials. Knowing your candidate will allow you to ease into the interview. Building small talk to warm up the interviewee helps you both engage in conversation AND may provide you with insights into cultural fit; but you won’t know where to start if you don’t start prepared. You will also be able to tailor your questions to their specific experiences and qualifications, making the interview more relevant and engaging for both parties.

Ancient Chinese war strategist often adopted as a business consultant Sun Tzu put it best: “Every battle is won before it is ever fought.” Following these three strategies will help ensure you have all the tools required to conduct an interview and fight the best candidate for your company.”