Interviews Are a Two-Way Street

An interview is as much about the candidate as it is about the employer. Not getting the decision right at interview is a costly process, for both employer and employee alike. A wrong decision for an employer can cost thousands of dollars of resources, mainly time and money. A wrong decision for an employee can damage a resume and a reputation.

The stakes are high and it’s imperative to avoid this disastrous situation. So what goes wrong and what can we do to avoid it?

Right from the beginning both the employer and the candidate need to do some due diligence. What do both parties need to create a match and is this a right fit for everyone in the long term? Finding out these crucial things from the beginning forms a platform for a long and happy employment relationship.

For Employers: It’s not only about whether this person has the skills for the job at hand it is just as important to ensure that they’re the right fit for the team. Most importantly that your potential new employee is going to fit in well and be happy in their potential new role. In turn they will add value to the business.

For Candidates: Its important to establish exactly what role you are looking for, what type of a manager you would like to work for and what your ideal company looks like? What do you value and what do you need from your job? Establishing these wants and needs from the beginning will ensure not only your success but the companies as well.

Tips for Employers:
· Be organised, on time and have a prepared set of questions for the each role you interview for.
· Don’t tick all the boxes for skills and gloss over culture, crossing your fingers and hoping for the best usually ends in disaster.
· This 30 minute (or so) interview is all the information that the candidate has to make a decision on whether to take the job -  
  your first impression is as important as theirs.
· Articulate what makes you unique; if you’re a quality employer you want to attract quality candidates.
· Don’t make promises at interview you can’t keep.
· Is the employee prepared? Have they researched the company before the interview? Quality candidates will always be
   prepared with their resume and their research!

Tips for Candidates:
· Prepare meaningful questions to ask at interview such as:
     a. Is this a new or existing role, why was this position created?
     b. What is expected from the person in this role and do you have a Position Description?
     c. Who will the person in this position report to whilst in the role?
     d. What does your company value and what does your team culture look like?
     e. Where is the business headed in the next 5 years?
     f. What do you see to be the greatest challenge in this role?
· Be aware of employer’s rash decisions, especially to “hire on the spot”.
· Does the employer walk you through the office, do you know what it will be like when you’re sitting there working?
· Can you envisage what you’ll be doing and what your manager is like?
· Is this going to be a long term fit for your career? 
· Ask yourself what will this job do for my career?

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that they give their new employees every chance of success. Likewise employees have the responsibility to ensure that they respect their potential employers business, their values and their workplace, always striving for excellence and increase.

Business is about different levels of partnership, with your customer’s, your executive team and with your employee’s. Your employees are an advertisement for your business. What are you doing to ensure your business reputation and representation align?