Preparing for interviews can be nerve wrecking for candidates as well as interviewers alike if either one isn’t prepared. There are certain things that are common knowledge but whether it is the right way to do things is something that doesn’t click either one in question. We all agree that conducting interviews or seeking jobs isn’t something that we enjoy doing.

And research done on 200 candidates suggest that 80% agreed that if a recruiter arrives 10 minutes late it leaves a negative impression on potential candidates and the company the interviewer represents. Likewise interviewers don’t approve of the candidates communication ways. In addition to this 60% of fresh graduates don’t possess the communication skills to be successful. At such times what are the things the concerned individuals need to do well in advance before an interview. So here goes

For Candidates

There are a few things that can help candidates to prepare for a scheduled interview and assist them to get a better chance of being recruited.

Do your Research

This seems to be developing into a trend where candidates are concerned, as many of them generally don’t take time out to research about the company they wish to join or work for. If they take the effort to find out more about what the company is into and involved with this will set the candidate apart from the rest that have also applied for the post.

Prepare Questions 

This again is something that most candidates are afraid to do due to the misunderstanding that questions aren’t welcomed. The reality is that recruiters usually seek out individuals that ask questions because this helps them realise whether or not they have understood what the post calls for. This too helps them to determine the candidate’s problem solving ability.

Remember what your mother taught you

She may have been nagging and at times annoying, even irritating really but little did you know how important these same lessons would be in the near future. Remember her instructions, Sit up straight, Stand up straight, Look at me when I’m talking to you, Don’t interrupt me, when I’m talking to you do these sound familiar? Well you would do well to follow them as these are vital lessons that will definitely come in handy as these aspects are also observed at interviews.

For Interviewers

Well you too need to follow certain aspects and prepare yourself for the same as you are in fact representing the firm that you work for. So what are the aspects that you need to follow.

What kind of Questions to ask

Well you might want to stay away from questions that can lead to job discriminations. Hence questions about religion, marital status and children are a big No, No! You should probably refrain from such questions. These kinds of questions pose a threat to candidates looking for a work and family balance.

Know the Position Thoroughly

As a recruiter it is absolutely essential for you to have proper knowledge about the position you seek to fill.  If you’re not clear about the requirements of the post the candidate isn’t going to like it when they have questions about the post that you can’t answer. This will automatically affect the reputation of the company you work for.

Therefore it is essential that you as a candidate or recruiter to be well prepared for the interview and to pay close attention to the aspects that have been discussed so far. These aspects are important if one wishes to speed up the recruiting process and to get employed fast.

Hiring professionals usually encounter a common problem when sifting through inch sized stacked up resumes which is the employment gap present in a potential recruits CV. Most recruiters use this as a decision making factor when selecting desired talent. Also many of them are of the opinion that may be this may not be a suitable candidate for the organization similar to a candidate having a two paged resume. These particular aspects are not overlooked and can be deal breaker from the candidate’s perspective. Additionally, Talent Acquisitionist stand to lose exceptional talent as such individuals usually possess the skills that your organisation is in dire need of. Writing them of as unsuitable for the organisation merely based on the employment gaps and two paged resumes seems faulty. Don’t you think?

If you’re wondering the same thing as us then you’ve come to the right place as we at Sourcing ADDA, strive to gain clarity on causes that affect the recruitment fraternity as a whole. If you aren’t convinced about it then let’s fix it immediately with a valid reason that will enlighten you. Here @SourcingAdda, we conduct the on demand discussions on Wednesdays to get a sense of the evolving trends and to better understand the industry we are so passionate about. We do that to prepare our members by providing updated information that is true at the ground level. And our loyal members like Yogesh one of our Pune group members was the one who suggested we shed some light on, How should Recruiters or HR Heads deal with candidates having an employment gap and mentioned below is what we derived

The conversation above clearly states that talent with career gaps should not be a constraint when making a candidate selection decision. Many fellow recruiters are of the opinion that gaps or career breaks or going on sabbatical can have a rewarding impact on the talent and can be rejuvenating to them. Employment Gaps help new but similar candidates to develop a fresh thinking that facilitates fresh ideas. And which organisation doesn’t want such fresh expression of talent in the work delivered by these individuals. More importantly such talent are usually eager to get back to work and thus nurturing this fresh talent becomes our responsibility as employment providers. Additions, of Talent such as these can do wonders not only to their overall personal development influencing their work but also impacts the growth of the company. Now don’t you think these talent pools are worth a re-look rather than a cause of concern?

Only, good recruiters have the fortitude to see a different side that average ones miss out on. They are the ones who realise that making assumptions without first asking questions and gathering information could lead to bad hiring decisions. They are of the opinion that passing on potentially qualified candidates without giving them a chance to explain could be a mistake for not only recruiters but the company at large affecting the progress of the firm.

Additionally, it would be a good decision on your part to join the ever growing recruitment community as you can leverage it to scale your hiring needs and build pipelines of talent where our Whats App groups will come in handy. In order to reap the benefits of our community you need to get more involved by participating in our regular activities and by following us @Sourcingadda for real time updates to our upcoming activities and events. And if you’ve been following us closely you’d know that we always look forward to your comments on the topic discussed therefore be sure to leave your views in our comments section below. If you wish to be a part of our online community to remain tuned to the evolving trends within the recruitment fraternity then be proactive and register yourselves immediately today.