| Recruitment is a delicate and complicated procedure. | | | | meeting a candidate, that they are judged on their |
| You have to find the ideal candidate for the vacancy | | | | outfit. |
| within your company, and the candidate will have to | | | | A Bit of Time and Understanding |
| find out if your company is the right one for them. | | | | Over the years, I have found that the questions raised |
| Perhaps the most stressful part of recruitment is the | | | | by interview panels have changed. A common |
| interview - many candidates will be stressed and | | | | question nowadays is "describe a difficult situation and |
| anxious, which does not make your job any easier. | | | | what you did to solve it". However well-prepared a |
| Though it is near impossible to eliminate all the stress, | | | | candidate is, if they are very anxious it might be that |
| there are ways to make the interview stage a more | | | | they find it very difficult to outline such a situation and |
| fruitful and enjoyable experience for both sides. | | | | their role in the positive outcome. |
| Offer Refreshment | | | | It could be worthwhile to add such questions to the |
| Offer the candidate a drink. Either the choice between | | | | application form - this gives the candidate time to think |
| coffee and tea, a glass of water, or, if possible, add | | | | on their answers. Alternatively, it helps to reassure the |
| the option of cold drinks. This may seem obvious, but I | | | | candidate at the start of the interview that they can |
| was surprised to find that many companies do not | | | | take their time formulating their answers, and can |
| think of offering the candidates a refreshment. | | | | request to come back to a specific question later on in |
| A drink helps against a dry mouth caused by stress | | | | the interview. |
| and gives very nervous candidates something to do | | | | Be Friendly and Welcoming |
| with their hands and to shift their focus on when | | | | A lot can depend on how friendly and welcoming the |
| needing to calm themselves down for a moment. It | | | | panel comes across. If a panel comes across as |
| also gives a good impression of your company - it is a | | | | distant, cold and intimidating, this will not help in any way |
| sign that you care about your employees and create | | | | to put the candidate at ease. If the panel is warm and |
| a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. | | | | friendly, this can quickly break the ice and dissolve a lot |
| Clothes Don't Make the Candidate | | | | of the tension and anxiety. |
| It is common knowledge that one has to dress well to | | | | It is worth remembering that you are looking for |
| make a good impression on the interview panel. | | | | someone who will not only be able to do a good job, |
| Though this makes sense in many ways, it can add to | | | | they also have to be happy within your company. A |
| the overall stress of the situation. Some of your | | | | happy employee is one who will work hard and be |
| applicants might have been out of employment for a | | | | dedicated to their role and to you. Assuring that they |
| little while, and won't have the means to buy a suitable | | | | feel welcome and that you show you represent a |
| outfit for a job interview. This doesn't necessarily mean | | | | caring business will go a long way towards a |
| that they will be unsuitable for the position they are | | | | candidate coming out of their shell, demonstrating their |
| applying for. | | | | skills and suitability, and towards a smooth and |
| It is more important that their outfit, and their overall | | | | pleasant interview. |
| appearance, is clean and tidy, than whether or not they | | | | If your candidate freezes up, it is not only a waste of |
| wear a business suit. Especially if the position they are | | | | their time, but also of yours. And you could miss out on |
| applying for does not require them to dress as such. If | | | | someone who would actually be perfect for the job. |
| your company's dress-code does require this, it can be | | | | Many people are fine once they start working |
| brought up during the interview and you can enquire if | | | | somewhere. Someone might have all the relevant skills |
| they will be able to comply. If they are unable to, and | | | | and experience and could be a great asset to your |
| your company offers a training programme, this would | | | | company... if only they could truly show their worth at |
| be an excellent time period for your candidate to raise | | | | the interview. And that is where you can help to make |
| the funds needed to add to their wardrobe. | | | | them feel more at ease. |
| Either way, it will help to not give the impression, when | | | | |