Interviewing Experienced Candidates

Just like management styles require flexibility with employees at different levels, interviewing tactics may need to be adjusted depending on candidates’ amounts of work history. With entry-level interviewing, you’re more likely to be assessing for raw potential, while interviews for more experienced candidates need a more comprehensive strategy. Learn how to effectively interview experienced candidates with these tips:

Prioritize the Candidate Experience

Your employer branding can take a hit and cause you to lose out on top candidates if you don’t make it a major goal for all candidate interactions to be as respectful as possible. While this is necessary for candidates of all levels, it’s especially important to focus on for more experienced candidates; they are more challenging to find and even easier to lose because they have more options. Demonstrate that you value their time and effort by expressing your appreciation and maintaining open communication throughout every step of the process.

Verify Performance History

Just because candidates have extensive work experience doesn’t necessarily mean they were top performers. There’s a risk of complacency when an employee is further into their career, so it’s essential to objectively evaluate their past performances. Ask questions that require describing previous experiences and results gained and/or lessons learned, rather than hypothetical questions about what they would do if hired.  You’ll get insight into what they would realistically be bringing to the organization, not just empty claims.

Focus on Personality Fit

Skills aren’t the only factor that’s important; in fact, they arguably are less predictive of an employee’s overall level of success at an organization than another key aspect: personality. Although this is true of all candidates, more experienced candidates will likely be playing a more impactful role that includes leadership, so a conflict of personality can have significant consequences. Once you have verified that an experienced candidate has the talent and skills necessary to do the job, focus your interaction on ascertaining their personality traits and whether or not they would fit with your company’s culture.

Find the right candidates to join your team with Professional Alternatives. Since 1998, we have been serving Houston employers throughout a variety of industries with their staffing needs. We provide direct hire placement, as well as temporary and temp-to-hire staffing. Contact us today to learn more about our employer services and workplace solutions.