According to a survey report from Robert Half International (www.roberthalfinternational.com), an international staffing services firm, 72 percent of senior executives surveyed stated that it is common for job candidates with promising résumés to not live up to expectations during an employment interview.
Some tips shared by Robert Half to help hiring managers include:
- Fish where the fish are. Create finely tuned job advertisements that describe the ideal candidate, and post them in targeted places, such as industry publications and professional association websites, to attract strong candidates.
- Network. Seek recommendations from colleagues, staff, and other professional contacts. Also network online and with members of industry organizations to ensure that you cast a wide net for prospective applicants.
- Narrow the field by telephone. Following up on promising résumés with a 10-minute telephone interview can help ensure that you invite only the best candidates to in-person interviews. This can be a time saver because you’ll get an early reading on a person’s interpersonal skills and potential fit with your team.
- Audition candidates. Bringing in workers initially on a temporary or project basis can give you the opportunity to observe firsthand their skills, performance, and fit for a full-time position.
- Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate when you identify strong applicants. By moving too slowly, you risk losing your first choice, as well as extending the hiring process.