10 Simple Tips to Conduct a Successful Interview; Interviewing a Technical Writer Candidate
Hey There!
Are you freaking out cause you have to conduct your first ever interview as an “Interviewer”? So did I! Ever since I joined the Tech Industry I have always and always been on the other side of the interviews; interviewee. For the first time in my career, I got the opportunity to interview a candidate. The recruitment and interviewing process is a nerve-wracking experience, not only for the interviewee but also for the interviewer.
Even though I was pretty anxious but at the same time excited, I prepared myself to be the best interviewer possible. So that I can help my organization to pick the most suitable candidate using my tech and soft skills. If you are a first-time interviewer let me share these tips to improve the experience…
1. Go through the CV/Resume
First things first, go through their academic and career history including timelines. Then analyze their CV against the skills and requirements in the Job Description. Dig deep and do more research if you see the keywords at first glance. CVs shouldn’t be just ATS friendly, they should reflect a candidate’s true potential.
2. Go through their LinkedIn profile
The next most important thing for many (especially for IT) professionals, is maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile. Time to use your cyber-stalking skills. Does the CV match their LinkedIn? Can you fill any time gaps? Do you see continuous professional growth? If the answer is yes, then it’s a green light.
3. Go through their blogs
Now that you confirm, that they are working on their brand, if they have any blogs, articles, or personal websites, definitely have a look. Do their interests match the applied position?
In my case, I was interviewing a fresh graduate so maintaining a strong online presence and writing several Medium articles were a huge plus point for the candidate. I was able to understand the technical and writing skills by going through the articles. I was quite impressed with her work even before the interview!!!
4. Structure the interview
As a first-time interviewer, you must plan the entire interview session. Plan the questions and the segments so you can follow your agenda. Make sure to allocate time for questions, answers, and if this is a video call have a time buffer for any unexpected technical glitches as well.
5. Set the expectations right
You need to research how to be a good interviewer. If you are already reading this blog, you are halfway there :D. Talk to your senior managers/engineering managers and clarify any doubts. As an interviewer, you need to map the expectations correctly for all stakeholders. If you need any guidance, ask for help. It’s ok to ask for help.
6. Choose your questions wisely
Conduct your research and come up with a question list. You can get your questions verified with the help of an experienced interviewer as well. Fit yourself into the shoes of the candidate and review your list. However, always be willing to go off-script. You are not supposed to ask all your questions and record the answers. Adapting to a more conversational-style interview is considered much more effective.
7. During the interview, be warm and welcoming
Introduce yourself to the candidate and explain your role and responsibilities. Try to build a personal connection (especially if this is a video call) as this will make the interviewee feel more comfortable. This will help them to open up and ask more questions as well. Make sure to let them talk more so you can ask follow-up questions to test their technical and other skills. Ask them about their previous roles and work experiences.
8. Take notes and listen carefully
It’s always easier to take notes (using a pen and paper or a software) so that you can fully concentrate on the discussion. Take notes on the candidate’s questions. These questions will help you to reveal their true interests: career progressions, roles and responsibilities, and work culture.
From my personal experience, asking about the company culture shows that you are a senior professional. Do they see themselves working with you? or with your organization? — shows their passion for the position.
9. Appreciate their integrity
Integrity refers to the honesty, honour, and truthfulness of a candidate. It takes a lot to say “No, I don’t know” or “I have no expertise in that area” during an interview. But it saved the interviewer’s time and helped them drive the session in a different direction. We must appreciate this quality
I had experiences where the candidates are not ready to accept this, which resulted in exploiting the time and efforts of all parties, a huge red flag!
10. Dress to impress
Cliché! but yes, you have to make a good impression as you are representing an entire organization. Put in the same effort just like the candidate and return the same energy. Especially if this is a video call, dressing up will help you to maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview. For example, I chose to wear a colour that brings optimism that inspires hope and enthusiasm.
These are a few simple tips to help your interview become a success. After all, be unbiased as possible and don’t forget that we are all humans. There’s no such thing as a perfect interviewer or interviewee, therefore, don’t be too hard on yourself. Hope you find these tips helpful and don’t forget to share your experience with me.
Happy Interviewing! 🧑💼💻🗒️
