Best Practices for Conducting an In-Person Job Interview- A Guide for Hiring Managers

In the realm of recruitment, conducting in-person job interviews remains a cornerstone of the hiring process. Face-to-face interactions provide valuable insights into a candidate's qualifications, personality, and fit within an organisation.

Once the initial stages of selection have been conducted by your dedicated VWA Consultant, it’s time for you to conduct interviews with the pre-vetted candidates. Prior to interview, your Consultant will provide you with an in-depth CV alongside their profile which details their competencies, skills and aspirations.

To ensure a successful and productive interview experience, we’ve put together our guide to best practises to follow during an in-person interview:

1. Prepare Thoroughly: Before the interview, take time to thoroughly review all the candidates application materials provided by your VWA Consultant. Familiarise yourself with their skills, experiences, and qualifications to tailor your questions accordingly.

2. Create a Welcoming Environment: Set the stage for a positive interview experience by choosing a comfortable and professional interview space. Greet the candidate warmly upon arrival and offer refreshments if appropriate.

3. Establish Rapport: Begin the interview by introducing yourself and providing an overview of the interview process. Take a few minutes to build rapport with the candidate, putting them at ease and encouraging open communication.

4. Use Structured Interview Questions: Develop a list of structured interview questions that are relevant to the role and aligned with the job requirements. Use behavioural questions to assess the candidate's past experiences and problem-solving abilities.

5. Actively Listen and Engage: During the interview, practise active listening by paying close attention to the candidate's responses. Maintain eye contact, nod affirmatively, and show genuine interest in their answers.

6. Assess Cultural Fit: Evaluate the candidate's potential cultural fit within the organisation by asking questions related to teamwork, company values, and work ethic. Assess their compatibility with the team and organisational dynamics.

7. Showcase the Organisation: Take the opportunity to showcase your organisation and the role. Provide insights into the company culture, career development opportunities, and the team structure to help the candidate visualise themselves as part of the team. Consider whether it is appropriate to take the candidate on a short tour of the office environment.

8. Allow Time for Candidate Questions: Encourage the candidate to ask questions about the role, team, or company culture. This demonstrates their interest and engagement while providing clarity on any uncertainties they may have.

9. Provide Clear Next Steps: As the interview draws to a close, make sure you inform the candidate that their VWA Consultant will be in touch shortly afterwards to give them detailed feedback and an update on the next steps.

10. Follow Up Promptly: After the interview, be sure to send feedback to your Consultant promptly, whilst it is still fresh. This will enable us to keep the process moving at a good pace, maintaining candidate engagement and minimising the risk of losing your dream hire.

In summary

In-person job interviews offer a valuable opportunity to assess candidates in a holistic manner and gauge their suitability for a role beyond what appears on paper. By following these best practices, you can conduct effective and insightful interviews that facilitate informed hiring decisions and create positive candidate experiences. Effective preparation, active engagement, and professionalism are key to maximising the benefits of in-person interviews and ultimately selecting the best candidate for the position.

Why work with VWA?

Our expert Consultants and Research Team use sound judgement, honed over years of experience, and anchored in our strong interviewing and assessment skills, to find, identify and attract top talent for our clients. You can feel confident knowing that we have already selected the very best pre-vetted candidates for you to meet. What’s more, we are always on hand throughout the process to answer any questions you may have.

If you’d like to hear more about our services or anything covered in this article, or would like to make an enquiry, please reach out to recruit@vwa.com.