The Interview Edge: Researching Candidates

Everyone knows job seekers must prepare before an interview, but you must also do your homework as an employer. One essential practice that sets you apart as a hiring manager is thoroughly researching your candidates before you meet them.

A candidate’s background

Diving deep into a candidate’s resume, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio reveals more than just their employment history. It unveils a narrative of their career journey. Understanding this allows you to tailor your questions by exploring specific experiences and skills relevant to the role. This demonstrates that your company values the candidate’s unique experiences and is sincerely interested in how they can contribute to your organization.

For instance, if a candidate has a history of project management in diverse industries, you can ask targeted questions about how they adapted to each work environment and their unique challenges. Such questions provide deeper insights into the candidate’s capabilities and adaptability than generic prompts.

Thoughtful questions

Knowing about candidates allows you to craft thoughtful questions beyond the standard surface ones. Standard questions like “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” elicit rehearsed answers. However, when you tailor questions to the candidate’s specific experiences or skill set, you prompt genuine and revealing responses.

For example, if a candidate played a key role in a successful product launch, delving into the specifics of their contribution can yield valuable insights. Questions such as, “Can you walk me through the strategies you used to ensure the project’s success?” or “What obstacles did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?” encourage candidates to provide detailed, substantive answers.

Building rapport

Showing you’ve taken the time to learn about someone’s experiences fosters a sense of respect and professional courtesy. A well-researched interviewer finds common ground, leading to a more conversational and less transactional interview.

This rapport is especially important today, where top talent has multiple options. A candidate who feels valued and respected during the interview is likely to develop a positive impression of the company.

Ultimately, thoroughly researching candidates leads to more informed hiring decisions. By understanding a candidate’s full range of skills and experiences, you can better assess how they align with the company’s needs and culture, which reduces the risk of hiring mismatches and increases the likelihood of finding a candidate who will thrive in the role.

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