I’ll never forget the project manager search we conducted for Tom, the COO of a large specialty contractor. Tom was highly regarded and his technical expertise was unmatched.  But, he had an interview style that caused all five candidates he interviewed to walk away discouraged.  In fact, some walked away angry!

With heavy competition for talent, you can’t have a "negative COO" on the interview team.  Finding the right balance between selling the company and vetting the candidate is the key.  Look for team members with these following skills.  If you do, you’ll get the right people on your recruiting team.

 

Choose interviewers with excellent communication skills.  Each should be able to sell the candidate on your culture, core values and mission.  Remember, building your interview team is no different than bringing your "A Team" to a bid presentation.  Everyone must have the skill to articulate your brand while vetting candidates.

One hiring manager we know keeps candidates waiting as long as 45 minutes.   Frequently the manager has not even reviewed their resumes.   Choose interviewers who will thoroughly prepare for the interview, and show courtesy and respect to the candidate.  This is critical.  

 

"If you had to be an animal, what animal would you choose?" is not an effective interview question!  These "Odd ball" questions simply do not project the interviewer or the company as professional and serious. They certainly are a sure turn off with today’s candidates.  

Make sure your interviewers respect and follow all employment laws. Asking about age, marital status, childcare, pregnancy, political or religious affiliation or race, color or ethnicity or when someone is planning to retire is illegal. Employment laws have changed frequently in recent years, so an annual review is great preparation.

Makes it a priority!

Few things are more important than getting the right people hired.  The interview team member must respond fast with feedback and be flexible with scheduling. Statistics show top candidates are off the market in 10 days!  Interviewers should have a high sense of urgency and be open to utilizing Skype®, FaceTime® or other video tools to speed up the process. 

Having a solid interview team is vital in successfully competing for talent.  Those with a positive attitude and who represent your company well make the best recruiting and brand building ambassadors.