We’ve all been there: that awful job interview. Though interviews that have gone sideways make for good stories, as a company, you definitely don’t want to be the punch line. The interview process is a crucial place to set the tone and display your employer brand. In the same way employers size up candidates prior to making a job offer, potential employees use the interview process to tell them whether or not a company is a good fit. Glassdoor, the online company that specializes in employer brand building, ranks the “Best Places to Interview” each year. Here’s three simple ways you could move your company toward making the list:
- Coach Your Recruiting Team
The process starts from the inside. Spend time with your hiring managers to ensure they understand what type of candidate experience you are trying to create. A consistent and well thought out interview process will give the best insight into potential employees, and show your organization in a positive light. Building material company Sherwin-Williams ranked first in this year’s Best Places to Interview, and according to candidates surveyed, this is because they were simply “friendly and honest”. Emphasizing these qualities in your recruitment staff fosters this type of winning review from candidates.
- Help the Candidate in Advance
Instead of treating the interview process as a test for talent to pass, your hiring team should try to create an environment where candidates can shine. The unknown creates stress; no one likes to find their way in the dark. Be upfront about the process—how it’s structured, who’ll be present, the kind of questions that might come up. Financial services company BNY Mellon made the “Best Places to Interview” list in 2016 because of this pre-interview help. “One of the best interviews that I went on and they definitely helped me be comfortable with the process, a very straightforward process. The recruiters were very helpful when trying to set up the initial interview,” stated one of the company’s candidates. Putting in that extra bit of effort before the actual interview made all the difference.
- Ensure the Candidate is Comfortable
Few life experiences are more anxiety-inducing than a job interview. There are small things you can to set your potential employees at ease, and in turn, bring out their best performance. Start promptly to show the candidate you respect their time. Make a personal connection right off the top to make yourself less intimidating. Share your EVP as part of the interview; it lets candidates know your company is values-oriented. Let them shine—steer the conversation toward openings for them to tell you what they can bring to the company. First and foremost, have fun. Creating a relaxed atmosphere where candidates feel like they can be themselves is crucial to a successful interview. An intern candidate explains why construction equipment company Caterpillar ranked third on Glassdoor’s list: “The interviewers did a good job making sure that I was comfortable and explaining what the specific questions were targeting.”
Too often companies get caught up in the process and forget the overall objective of interviewing: it’s a great opportunity to meet potential ambassadors for your company. If you treat candidates well from the very beginning, they’ll want to work for you, and they’ll want to tell others how great your organization is.
It doesn’t take much to completely change a candidate’s interview experience. These three simple steps are a great starting point. Follow them, and your company will be well on track to making next year’s “Best Place to Interview” list.
About Blu Ivy Group
Blu Ivy Group is a leading employer branding and employee engagement consultancy that aligns your organization with contemporary workplace paradigms. Blu Ivy Group’s mission is to help client’s build award-winning people practices, inspire extraordinary employee engagement, and cultivate unique and desirable workplaces.
Blu Ivy Group provides integrated solutions in employer brand and engagement research, strategic consulting, employer brand integration, creative and talent communications.
Blu Ivy Group is a trusted partner to many of North America’s most respected employer brands. For more information, go to www.bluivygroup.com