Top 10 tips for a successful interview and hiring process

Much is written about what it is like to be interviewed. What is it like, however, from the other side of the fence – that is, from the interviewer’s perspective? Emma Alexander, a seasoned human resources practitioner who spent eight years with Hilton, and who now heads up Elite Hotels’ personnel and development department at Tylney Hall Hotel near Hook, in Hampshire, is fully aware of the challenges faced by interviewers today. The industry continues to be competitive, and although Elite Hotels offers an excellent overall remuneration and benefits package, the existing external factors that include an acute labour shortage and competition from other industries able to offer more desirable working hours, are proving to be an additional challenge when trying to attract the right calibre of employee. “Today it’s very much an employee’s market; job vacancies are at record levels, the likes of which haven’t been witnessed for a long time,” Emma Alexander said. “Would-be employees are conscious that the pendulum is swinging in their favour, so the interview experience is of vital importance in deciding whether or not the candidate is happy to consider joining your organisation or not.” Alexander is very aware that interviewing skills are now playing a more significant role than ever before when seeking to find that elusive right candidate. To help others in similar situations, she has put together a list of handy tips on how best to conduct a successful interview that will help the interviewer not only find, but also secure, the right person for the job in question. 1. Success is in the advert Not enough organisations put the required thought into their advertisements, but the ad itself is the key driver that can either attract or deter the right candidate. Think of it as your shop window; it really needs to stand out from the crowd. Make sure it’s relevant to the job you’re advertising and include not only the hours, the salary scale and working patterns, but also the hugely important element of your organisation’s culture. 2. Break the ice Many candidates find the interviewing process daunting. A good idea is to call them before meeting them; this allows you to get a feel for their communication style, and is also a good opportunity to sell the team in which they will be working (and the wider business) before they even come through the door. It also helps to put candidates at ease, ready for what may be a daunting experience for them. 3. Question time Make sure you are prepared and have a list of relevant questions to ask, not just the run-of-the-mill interview questions. You need to come across as both knowledgeable and confident, as well as genuinely interested in your interviewee. 4. Be ‘answer ready’ Be ready and eager to answer their questions; you are the hotel’s ambassador, so make sure that you know all about the departments in which the interviewee will be working in. Also make sure that you are thoroughly briefed on the overall business. Some 47% of interviewers say they wouldn’t choose a candidate who had little knowledge of their company. What if you couldn’t answer a candidate’s question about your company? 5. Your personal appearance and presentation Your own appearance sets a standard. If you’re not presenting a smart image, you can’t expect the candidate to follow suit. This is particularly important for junior candidates, who are looking up to senior management for direction and guidance. That said, appearance and dress shouldn’t be a barrier to attracting the right candidates; you certainly don’t want prospective employees to be put off, or to feel intimidated. The best strategy is to be clear up front about the dress code required for the interview, as a massive 71% of interviewers will not select a candidate who isn’t appropriately dressed. 6. Read your audience on arrival To help a candidate to get through the interview as well as they possibly can, make sure that you read their body language. Are they nervous? If so, try to put them at ease; some small talk works wonders, and you’ll get much more out of your candidate if they feel comfortable in your company. A lack of confidence during an interview is the reason why 40% of interviewers don’t take a candidate past the first interview stage. By helping the candidate to relax, you could well help bring down that percentage, which is both to your company’s advantage and to the advantage of the interviewee. 7. Interview setting When you interview the candidate plays an important role in their performance. For junior candidates, try to create an informal ambience, as this will help them to relax and will get the meeting off to a good start. 8. Encourage and engage Interviews are not about putting candidates on the spot unnecessarily. Aim to encourage and motivate them with positive affirmations. A smile goes a very long way, as having a positive interview experience makes candidates 38% more likely to accept a job offer. 9. What’s in the job description? Make sure that the job description is clearly set out, so that the candidate understands exactly what they are potentially signing up to. This is a good opportunity to let them know that your company can help to develop their skills, that you offer training, and that career prospects are good. 10. Will versus skill Attitude is an important factor when it comes to a candidate’s work ethic; although they may possess the right skill set, they might not have the right attitude. Try to ascertain if they have the will to succeed, and whether they have the right attitude for the hospitality industry. This could well make the difference between employing the right or the wrong candidate. Skills can be taught, but having a positive attitude and also the will to succeed, is the very best starting point.