The job interview process can be tricky for both interviewer and applicant. The interviewer is anxious about effectively evaluating the applicant and the applicant is worried about performing well. On top of this, the interviewer has to follow legal guidelines and not ask questions that challenge equal opportunity protection. Here are a few tips to help the process go as smoothly and helpfully as possible.
Treat the interview process as a time for you to learn about an applicant's work experience, education and additional job qualifications, if any. Ask for specific examples of what the applicant has done effectively in recent job situations. Do not write on the employee's application—use another paper to take notes. Some general questions to ask include:
· Why do you want to work for this company?
· Tell me about a time you provided great customer services.
· Tell me about a disagreement you've had with a co-worker. How did you handle it?
· What do you foresee as your biggest challenge working here?
The basic "don'ts" during an interview include asking anything to do with the applicant's gender, age, marital status, sexual preference, national origin, religion, race, political preference, pregnancy/child-rearing plans or disability. If the applicant offers personal information during the interview, remain neutral and turn the conversation back to aspects of the job description. Indicate that you want to focus simply on the applicant's qualifications and past work experience and that personal information is not relevant in this interview. In this way, an applicant who is turned down for a job cannot claim that you discriminated against him or her for non-job-related reasons.
These suggestions should keep you on track and help you to choose the right employee for the job.
This column contains human resource suggestions by human resource specialists. This information is not intended as professional or legal advice of any kind. If you have a human resource question, whether you are an employee or an employer, please e-mail askhrwoodriver@cox.net.
