Who should interview job candidates?
The short answer is – more than one person. You, of course, as the owner of the business. And whomever else in your company will be working most closely with the new hire. If someone other than you will be the immediate supervisor, that person should also be involved. Everyone should have their own list of questions for job interview.
Should the interviews be conducted jointly or separately?
Joint interviews save time, and allow you and your team to discuss your reactions while they are still fresh in your minds. They also give each of you the opportunity to see how the person interacts with the others. On the other hand, it can be intimidating for the candidate. The advantage to separate interviews is, especially as your company grows, the field can be narrowed down by the initial interviewer, saving your time for the favored candidates.
Should I take notes?
Definitely. If you’re interviewing several people, it’s very easy to get them mixed up. Have your usual interview questions printed up with plenty of space to jot down notes, and don’t forget to write the person’s name on their sheet.
Any other suggestions?
Watch out for the tendency to like best whomever you just talked to. Ask questions drawn from the person’s resume, and listen carefully for unclear or conflicting answers. Be open to and encourage questions from the candidate about the position and the company. You can learn as much from what she asks as from how he answers.