Interviewing and Reference Checks

interviewing for a job

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One of the most important but difficult tasks involves interviewing potential candidates for a position in your business.

An item that requires significant thought and preparation that must be completed well before the first interview with any individual is preparing a detailed description of what duties you will want the successful person to do, what there hours of work will be and what skills and experience they must have to do the work required.

Next, think through the questions and areas that you will want to explore with each person that you will interview. These may vary from person to person depending on the background and experience of the individual.

It is also critical for you to feel comfortable with the individual throughout your conversation and afterward. Do not believe that you will be able to change or “mould “a person once they start to work with you. This seldom happens, so do not allow yourself to become fooled.

Also avoid rushing to offer anyone employment following your interview. Take a bit of time, after the interview, to evaluate your thoughts. Once you are comfortable in making an offer to a candidate, do so in writing and ensure you cover the job description, hours and location of work, salary, any review periods, probation status etc. Hopefully you will have explored much of this with the candidate in advance to ensure that there are no significant disconnects.

Any offer of employment should be made only after you have completed as detailed a reference check as possible. This must involve former employers, co-workers and anyone who can and will share there candid views of the individual’s work experience and habits. Seek and offer complete confidentiality and if you encounter a comment that the previous employer will only “confirm “basic work dates a job title.
Ask if this policy applies to all such enquiries and not just this person. If you cannot get a seemingly acceptable reference for an individual, contact the person and ask how they might assist you in doing so. You want to ensure that the starting point of the relationship will be a positive one.

Finally, recognize that interviewing and hiring is difficult. If you can ask someone that you know and trust to help in the process, do so, but always remember that you are the boss and you alone must make the final call. Good Luck!

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