Basic rules to recruiting right staff – Melbourne Leader

 

LOCAL employers can cost themselves time, energy and money if they don't employ the right interview techniques during the recruitment process, says Alex Porqueddu, manager of Sarina Russo Job Access Fitzroy.

 

He said as part of its $1 million worth of local jobs campaign, Sarina Russo Job Access had developed a 10-point recruitment plan so employers can select the right person for the job.

 

"Compared to the amount of job seeker interview tips information out there employers are constantly overlooked when it comes to recruitment advice," Mr Porqueddu said.

 

"Employers must remember three basic rules of recruitment – CAN DO skills and experience; WILL DO attitude and personality; and WILL FIT company culture."

 

TEN-POINT PLAN

1. Follow the 80/20 rule. Get the job seeker to do 80 per cent of the talking. The person asking questions and listening is the person who's in control of the interview.

 

2. Ask open ended questions beginning with "what", "how", "why", "when", or "where".  They invite long answers that encourage job seekers to do most of the taking. Example: "When were you a member of a team?  Can you describe what it was like?", "What would you do if ...?" and "How did you handle a situation where ...?"

 

3. Avoid closed questions beginning with "did", "would", "do", and "are". These questions can be answered "yes" or "no". They do not encourage job seekers to talk. Example: "Do you have any experience working on a team?"

 

4. Ask probing questions beginning with "Tell me more", "Describe to me" and "Explain to me".

 

5. Use the power of silence.  Pause while waiting for a real answer. Don't ever underestimate the value of a silence in an interview.

 

6. A job seeker's past job performance is the surest guide to his/her future performance.

 

7. A good job fit = the right education + the right experience + a compatible personality.

 

8. Beware of the "just like me" trap. Focus on the job requirements and the candidate's qualifications.

 

9. Help the job seeker feel at ease at the beginning of the interview.  They'll open up and talk more freely.

 

10. Don't make assumptions. Look for repeat patterns of behaviour to draw conclusions about the jobseeker.

 

Mr Porpueddu said a well conducted and constructed interview benefited both parties because an informed recruitment decision could be made.