CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW

Selection process consists a series of steps which are needed to select and hire to right applicant for a specific job. In order to eliminate an unqualified candidate, successive hurdles or barriers are being set which an applicant must cross.

I'm currently enrolled in a Human Resource Management subject in University of Cebu in Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue and I will share what I have learned in this subject. Since I will have my very first interview for a job in 10 days time, I will skip on the first, second, and third step of the selection process which is the Application Form,Selection Test, and Employment Interview.

The fourth step of the selection process is Conducting the Interview. Applicants who passed the first 3 stages are being summoned for an interview. The main purpose of this stage is to know the verbal ability of the applicants. An interviewer should somehow do the following in conducting an interview to the applicants:

1. SET THE INTERVIEW CLIMATE. Interviews should be conducted in a location where it is free from interruptions and a casual seating arrangement where applicants will not think that they are in a "hot seat".
2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT. Don't let the candidate intimidated by you and put him at ease.
3. SET THE AGENDA. To achieve a concise interview, describe the interview structure.
4. TAKE NOTES. Taking notes of the candidates answers will help you ask follow up questions and recall specifics about each candidate. Also, tell the candidate that you are taking down notes. Notes don't need to be verbatim, key words/phrases are okay.
5. Listen carefully. Do not anticipate the candidate's answers and reserve judgment until the person has finished.
6. MAINTAIN CONTROL. Some candidates answers get off track resulting to not answering the question directly. Ask a specific question that will bring the interview back on the subject.
7. ALLOW SILENCE AND BE PATIENT. The candidate may take time to organize his thoughts together to provide a specific answer to your questions.