Ways Great HR Interviewers Evaluate A Candidate

This is an adopted article.

It may seem easy, but interviewing is no small task. That’s why we salute all the great HR personnel out there who already know all these tips!

1. First Impression — The first five minutes is crucial to discovering if your candidate is a good one. The truth is, HR interviewers have a very limited time to get to know a candidate, and so they have to read a candidate based on how excellently they dress, how they meet the interviewer, how they talk, etc. For example, being late is a huge no-no, because if a candidate cannot be on time for an interview, how much more for a regular job?

2. Career Trajectory — “Where do you see yourself in five years?” This is a common question, because it helps the HR interviewer determine 1) whether or not the candidate is aligned with the company’s vision, and 2) what the candidate’s motivations are in working. A candidate who isn’t sure about their career direction will answer this question differently from a candidate who knows what he/she wants.

3. Completeness of Answers — You can tell a lot about how smart a candidate is based on how complete their answers are. Great HR interviewers can tell when someone is able to carry a conversation about their personal details, or if they’ll only answer the bare minimum.

4. Smart, Genuine, and Unrehearsed Answers — Overly rehearsed or insincere answers are often a turn-off for interviewers, and great HR interviewers know the difference. Candidates who are smart and honest will avoid standard responses and will be open about their capabilities, while candidates who aren’t so sure of themselves may go for a safe, standard answer to difficult questions.

5. Talent vs Skills — Great HR interviewers will always look at a candidate’s natural talents for a role, and will also evaluate a candidate’s skill set. If they are talented for a role, then it will come naturally to them. If they are skilled for a role, then they have the experience and training to be good at the role. IF they have both, then you’ve got a winner candidate!

6. Culture Fit — How will a candidate fit into the company’s environment? Will they embrace their fellow team members, and will they be driven by the shared purpose and mission of the company? These are key considerations that great HR interviewers keep in mind.

7. Interest — At the end of the day, you’ll want someone who is already enthusiastic about the company and the role they’re applying for. Seeing enthusiasm and excitement from a candidate is something great HR interviewers take note of, and it may just be that one detail that will set the candidate apart from other qualified potentials.