Employers: What's your interview style?

[mrRed]

A question based on last nights episode of The Apprentice really.

If you watched last nights episode, how do you compare your style of interviewing to those on The Apprentice?

Do you grill the potential fiercely or are you Mr nice guy/girl? etc etc..

Bit of an open question so any feedback would be interesting.

Cheers. :)

[Alan @ Clyde Resources]

Interview styles are one of those things I love.

I go into an interview with an open mind and generally the introduction will determine my style from there on, but generally I am very laid back, firm and fair.

If you then take that person on - they will always remember how you were at the interview.

I was always known in my employed days for being a really tough interviewer, but now that I have grown up a wee bit and now can't be bothered with the corporate note takings at interviews, I'm much more relaxed about it.

If your gut feeling tells you something, I tend to follow it, and most often than not - RIGHT.

[stevemac]

I used to use a written questionaire, the candidate would fill this out before being invited in to my office. The successful applicant's questionaire would then be kept in a staff file for future reference.

I found many candidates let temselves down with body language - verbal responses telling one story, body language telling another. With a little experience, it's quite easy to spot who's being economical with the truth!

I think character also plays a part - potential staff members need to fit-in with the rest of the team. Just being good at & well qualified for a job isn't always enough. I would rather employ somebody who is slightly less qualified but may fit in better with the team. A combination of factors I suppose.

I recall interviewing for one job in particular where I had two equally able applicants & in the end, I tossed a coin to decide who to employ..:eek:

[Alan @ Clyde Resources]

I recall interviewing for one job in particular where I had two equally able applicants & in the end, I tossed a coin to decide who to employ..:eek:

Hahaha - I like that one, but it doesn't have a patch on some of the things I have done before the people get to interview stage.

The wonders of screening an application through more...well, economical means certainly tells you about the person more than what the interview would.

[maxine]

If you then take that person on - they will always remember how you were at the interview.

I was always known in my employed days for being a really tough interviewer, but now that I have grown up a wee bit and now can't be bothered with the corporate note takings at interviews, I'm much more relaxed about it.

If your gut feeling tells you something, I tend to follow it, and most often than not - RIGHT.

Totally agree about candidates remembering how you were at interview. I have had people remember me years afterwards when I don't remember them at all! (that's awful isn't it but I just have a bad memory).

I do take notes at interviews but usually it is just a jot of something they have said, perhaps written on their CV, that I want to go back to and probe a bit more.

More recently most of my first interviews are by phone and any face to face interview is usually as a last check and confirmation of taking someone on rather than a grilling. Besides if you want to grill you can still do it nicely (iron fist in a velvet glove etc) :) I find that you get a lot more out of someone if you are nice and friendly and put them at ease. If they are anxious then it can be like pushing treacle uphill!

[Alan @ Clyde Resources]

I recall interviewing for one job in particular where I had two equally able applicants & in the end, I tossed a coin to decide who to employ..:eek:

Hahaha - I like that one, but it doesn't have a patch on some of the things I have done before the people get to interview stage.

The wonders of screening an application through more...well, economical means certainly tells you about the person more than what the interview would.

[Alan @ Clyde Resources]

I find that you get a lot more out of someone if you are nice and friendly and put them at ease. If they are anxious then it can be like pushing treacle uphill!

I agree - but it depends the position you are interviewing for. Some positions require just that little bit more angst than others.

For instance I would be harder on a sales professional than I would be on an office junior. A bit over simplified I know, but you get my meaning?

[maxine]

I do get your meaning :) Still think the assertive but nicey-nicey can illicit more info sometimes though even at senior manager level. It amazes me how a nice cup of tea, friendly chat style, perhaps even some choc biccies can get someone to tell you how they stitched up their last boss, got revenge on an old employer by getting someone to unleash a virus in their network, how they plotted to get rid of a member of staff unfairly and all sorts (these are completely true examples by the way) and when they have already been pre-screened by agencies, and already had a first interview by another manager :)

Either that or people just get the impression that I am horrible too so it is OK to tell me these stories which I suppose could be another way of looking at it! :eek:

[Alan @ Clyde Resources]

Do you know how much tea costs - lol, no I do the nice chat thing, make feel at ease, but my approach is generally different for the position.

Completely agree that your aim at the interview is to get as much out of your candidate as possible in the limited time you have, and yes the nice approach is generally the winner, but nicely nicely isn't me.

We recently interviewed for an assistant manager of a venue and we had a panel of 5

Owner
His partner
Me
HR/Customer Service Consultant
PR/Events Manager

It was absolutely ridiculous!

[Rich Leigh]

I love the interview episodes in the Apprentice, but often think that the interviewers have the sort of egos Cristiano Ronaldo would be ashamed of.

I'm actually looking for employees now - I hadn't even thought about how I would interview, I just assumed it would fall into place as long as the rough plan of interview was followed :)!

[stevemac]

I love the interview episodes in the Apprentice, but often think that the interviewers have the sort of egos Cristiano Ronaldo would be ashamed of.

I'm actually looking for employees now - I hadn't even thought about how I would interview, I just assumed it would fall into place as long as the rough plan of interview was followed :)!
Best advice I can give you - read a book on body language & plan your interview technique well in advance.

[PI Guy]

I specialise in investigative interviewing and they are fun to do (for me)

[maxine]

I specialise in investigative interviewing and they are fun to do (for me)

I bet your not a cuppa and biccie type? lol

[stevemac]

I bet your not a cuppa and biccie type? lol
Blowtorch & pliers.........:D

[PI Guy]

lol i tend to start soft but quickly go hard

[maxine]

lol Easy Tiger!! :D

[Bri]

vidoes & books about interviewing techniques and their always like an episode of Cracker or Prime Suspect. The idea of an interview is two way isnt it, a)if you like the candidate and their experience b) they also like you and would like to work for you.

I particulrly love the part of the interview when you get to the hobbies and interests part of the c.v., why do they try and make their lives more exciting than yours, as if you've never experienced anything in your whole life. I've had white water rafters, abseilers,they all go to the gym everyday,loads of amatuer dramatics. 'Thats fine, but can you do this particular job'' I would be able to after some training'' do you provide night school opportunities'' No, I want to pay someone who can go out and do the work I give them'

My stepdaughter is applying for jobs at moment and she doesnt know I've seen her c.v.. Well laugh, I would love to be a fly on the wall of that interview. She plays the drums 'ha ha hah aha' (I can;))She goes to the gym everyday (Thats cos our shop was in one, she didnt set foot in the actual gym) and her body would give her away on that one. She single handedly masterminded the fitting out and marketing and managed the openign of our shop, ha ha ha ha ha, even funnier that one.And she wonders why she only lasts a couple of months in each job she's had.

One tree short of a hammock that one,:|

[PI Guy]

does anyone here watch "lie to me", this is the basis of any interpretation of body language during investigative interviewing.

[KidsBeeHappy]

I recall interviewing for one job in particular where I had two equally able applicants & in the end, I tossed a coin to decide who to employ..:eek:

hehehehe, do you think that one would stand up as a defense in a sexual discrimination claim :D

[maxine]

My stepdaughter is applying for jobs at moment and she doesnt know I've seen her c.v.. Well laugh, I would love to be a fly on the wall of that interview. She plays the drums 'ha ha hah aha' (I can;))She goes to the gym everyday (Thats cos our shop was in one, she didnt set foot in the actual gym) and her body would give her away on that one. She single handedly masterminded the fitting out and marketing and managed the openign of our shop, ha ha ha ha ha, even funnier that one.And she wonders why she only lasts a couple of months in each job she's had.

One tree short of a hammock that one,:|

Ha ha - brilliant! My step daughter did something similar then had the cheek to ask me to be a reference :)

[maxine]

Some of you might like this test :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smiles/

[Bri]

I got 12 out of 20. I honestly hesitated on a couple and wouldve had em right if I hadnt hesitated.

[typerchris]

14/20 some really ugly people in that bunch!!