Here are some guidelines for employers on what should take place after the job interview.
Debrief and discuss
“Don’t hire a highly skilled candidate who will hate your company culture and stay clear of charmers without the skills necessary to jump in and hit the ground running,” advises Josh Tolan, CEO of SparkHire. That’s a lot of responsibility for one person to shoulder, which is why a panel interview may help zero in on the right candidate.
Of course, it doesn’t matter how many interviewers you have in the room if you don’t schedule a time to share your perspectives amongst yourselves.
Related Reading: Job Interview Feedback: Worthwhile or Worthless?
A dedicated debrief will go a long way towards making sure your next hire is the right one. You want this debrief to happen after everyone has had a moment to gather their thoughts, but probably no later than 24 hours after the interview itself. If you’re seeing a lot of candidates over the course of a week, this timeline will help keep them fresh in your mind. It has the added bonus of expediting the hiring process itself.
Still not sure?
One of the best assessments (and most underused) is a small skill-based assignment. Looking for a salesperson? Ask your frontrunners to research and identify ve companies they would cold call in their first week. Maybe you’re hiring a customer service representative. In this case, ask applicants to draft an email response to a fictitious unhappy client. Our best advice? Be respectful of your candidates’ time. Remember that many will be completing this assignment after coming home from an eight-hour day with their current employer. Provide a fair deadline and ensure the assignment itself is not too time-consuming.
Related Reading: The Hiring Process: What to Ask When Checking References
Extend an offer (or don't)
So you’ve decided on an ideal new hire, but have they decided on you? Extending an offer might seem simple, but it’s a critical step towards acquiring this great new talent.
Tell the candidate why you want them to join your company and how they will make a great addition to the team. After submitting an application, attending an interview, supplying references, and completing an assignment, candidates would be overjoyed to hear your enthusiasm. It’s best to call first and then follow up with an email that lays out the particulars.
And then? Well, then you cross your fingers and wait!
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