Avoid these mistakes while conducting any technical interview
5 Min read
It's no secret that interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, both for the interviewee and the interviewer. However, if you want to conduct a successful interview, there are certain things you should avoid doing. In this article, we'll go over 10 of the most common mistakes made during interviews and how to avoid them.
You’re going to learn:
Asking irrelevant or leading questions
Not providing enough context
Not giving the candidate enough time to answer
Asking questions that can be easily looked up
Not listening to the candidate
Talking too much
Making assumptions about the candidate
Failing to follow up
Not taking notes
Not debriefing
1. Asking irrelevant or leading questions
One of the most common mistakes made during interviews is asking irrelevant or leading questions. This can throw off the entire interview and make it difficult to assess the candidate's qualifications. When asking questions, be sure to stick to topics that are relevant to the position and avoid leading the candidate in any particular direction.
2. Not providing enough context
Another mistake that's often made is not providing enough context for the questions being asked. The candidate should understand the purpose of the question and how it relates to the position they're interviewing for. Failing to provide this context can lead to confusion and make it difficult to properly assess the candidate's responses.
3. Not giving the candidate enough time to answer
It's important to give the candidate enough time to answer each question. Rushing through the interview will only lead to incomplete answers and make it difficult to get a full picture of the candidate's qualifications.
4. Asking questions that can be easily looked up
There's no need to ask questions that can be easily looked up online. This wastes time and doesn't give you any insight into the candidate's qualifications. Instead, focus on asking questions that will require the candidate to think critically and provide their own thoughts and opinions.
5. Not listening to the candidate
Another mistake to avoid is not listening to the candidate. It's important to pay attention to what the candidate is saying and to ask follow-up questions when necessary. This will help you better understand the candidate and their qualifications.
6. Talking too much
It's also important to avoid talking too much during the interview. The candidate should be doing most of the talking so that you can assess their qualifications. If you find yourself talking too much, take a step back and let the candidate do the talking.
7. Making assumptions about the candidate
One mistake that's often made is making assumptions about the candidate. It's important to keep an open mind and to avoid making assumptions about the candidate's qualifications or abilities.
8. Failing to follow up
After the interview, be sure to follow up with the candidate. This shows that you're interested in their qualifications and gives you an opportunity to ask any additional questions.
9. Not taking notes
It's also important to take notes during the interview. This will help you keep track of the candidate's answers and make it easier to compare candidates after the interview.
10. Not debriefing
Finally, be sure to debrief after the interview. This is an important step in the interview process and will help you determine if the candidate is a good fit for the position.
Interviewing is an important tool for employers to assess candidates for open positions. However, there are several common mistakes that can be made during the interview process. These include asking irrelevant or leading questions, not providing enough context, not giving the candidate enough time to answer, and asking questions that can be easily researched. By avoiding these mistakes, employers can improve their chances of conducting a successful interview and correctly assessing the skills of candidates.
