As a hiring manager, interviewing prospective employees can be a daunting task. You want to make sure you select the best possible candidate for the position, but with so many factors to consider, it can be hard to know where to start. To help make the process easier, we’ve compiled five essential interview tips for hiring managers that will help you identify the most qualified candidates. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and select the best person for the job.

1.) Do Your Research

It is essential to do your research on potential job candidates. This can help you determine whether they are the right fit for your business. Researching the job candidate can help you identify their strengths, weaknesses, and qualifications. As a business owner, you should look into the individual’s past work history, education, and skills. Doing your research will also allow you to ask more targeted questions during the interview process. By taking the time to research job candidates, small business owners can be confident that they are making the best hire for their company.

2.) Create a List of Questions

As a hiring manager for a small business, you should create a list of questions that will help you get to know the candidate better. The goal is to learn more about the candidate’s experience, skills, and work ethic. Consider questions that relate to their qualifications, knowledge of the industry, communication style, and problem-solving capabilities. Having a set of questions ready ahead of time will help you focus on important topics and ensure that each candidate is given a fair opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications. You may also want to ask questions related to the company’s culture and values. This can help you assess whether the candidate is a good fit for the position and your small business as a whole.

3.) Take Note of Body Language

When interviewing a potential candidate for a job, it's important to pay attention to the person's body language. Nonverbal communication can tell you a lot about a person, such as how confident they feel and whether they are open to new ideas.

Look for signs of discomfort or anxiety, such as fidgeting or avoiding eye contact. These could indicate a lack of confidence or discomfort in the interview setting. Pay attention to their gestures and facial expressions – these can often be telling signs of how someone really feels about the situation.

In addition to signs of discomfort, look for signs of enthusiasm, such as leaning forward, making enthusiastic hand gestures, and maintaining good eye contact. A passionate and interested candidate is more likely to be engaged in the role and make a valuable contribution to the team.

Be sure to take mental notes throughout the interview so that you can compare the body language of each candidate. This will help you decide which candidate is the best fit for the job.

4.) Ask Follow-Up Questions

When interviewing potential candidates for a position, it’s important to ask follow-up questions in order to gain a deeper understanding of their answers. Follow-up questions allow you to better evaluate how the candidate is responding to your questions and can help you identify the best candidate.

It’s helpful to have a set of standard follow-up questions that you can ask each candidate. These questions should be focused on the previous response the candidate gave and help you gain a better understanding of their thoughts and opinions. For example, if a candidate talks about a project they completed in the past, you could follow up with a question such as “What did you learn from that project?” or “How would you do that project differently now?”

Make sure to give the candidate enough time to answer your questions and provide additional information. Don’t be afraid to challenge them, as this will show their problem solving skills and ability to think on their feet.

You should also be aware of any non-verbal cues given by the candidate. This can include changes in posture, hesitation, or avoidance of certain topics. Pay attention to these clues as they can help you determine if the candidate is being honest with their answers.

Overall, follow-up questions are an essential tool for any hiring manager. By asking well thought out and relevant questions, you can get a better understanding of the candidate and determine if they are the right fit for the job.

5.) Trust Your Gut

As a hiring manager, it is important to trust your gut instinct when interviewing potential candidates. Even if all of the answers a candidate provides appear to be spot on, you may still have an underlying feeling that something isn’t quite right. When this happens, don’t be afraid to go with your intuition. It is better to be safe and pass on a candidate who seems like a good fit, than to hire someone who may not be the best choice for the job.

In order to get in touch with your instincts, it is helpful to take some time alone after each interview to reflect on your experience. Think about what stood out to you, both positive and negative. Was there something that seemed off or did the candidate make a great impression? You may even want to jot down a few notes to help you process your feelings. Taking the time to review your thoughts can give you valuable insight into how you should proceed in the hiring process.

At the end of the day, it’s important to trust your gut when making decisions about potential hires. Your instinctive judgment could help you avoid costly mistakes and identify the best candidates for the job.

To learn more tips about interviewing job candidates, book your call with Katy Martin today!