Follow rules to recruiting right staff - Pine Rivers Press

 

Employ the right interview techniques when recruiting and you will save time, energy and money.

 

Meaghan Theobald, of Sarina Russo Job Access at Strathpine, said the employment agency had developed a 10-point plan to help employers select the right personnel.

 

Ms Theobold said the strategy would assist Sarina Russo Job Access during its campaign to find $1 million worth of local jobs.

 

‘‘I always encourage our employers to meet with the individual applicants for their position to allow them to ask questions and get the chance to show the applicant what is involved in the position,’’ Ms Theobald said.

 

‘‘Along with this I ask for feedback on all applicants that I refer through and any other information about the particular position each employer is advertising to ensure that we are matching, and referring the right people for every position.’’

 

1. Follow the 80/20 rule. Get the job seeker to do 80 per cent of the talking.

 

2. Ask open-ended questions beginning with ‘‘what’’, ‘‘how’’, ‘‘why’’, ‘‘when’’, or ‘‘where’’.  They encourage job seekers to do most of the talking.

 

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.

 

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 an answer.

 

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

 

7. A good job fit is finding someone with the right education, the right experience and 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 start of the interview. They will open up and speak more freely.

 

10. Don’tmake assumptions. Look for repeat patterns of behaviour to draw conclusions about the job seeker.

 

Ms Theobald said a well conducted interview benefited both parties because an informed recruitment decision could be made.