The First Interview

This stage is where you begin to spend some real-time with the candidate. If the candidate is located within commuting distance to your office and you are not a remote company, it’s good to meet them in person because it’s easier to make a more human connection that way. A first interview can be done in an hour, and it should ideally consist of the hiring manager (that’s you!) and somebody else who will be working with them on the team. Don’t have more than two people in the interview as more can be intimidating.

Guidelines for the candidate

Before the candidate is invited, make it clear what they should expect from the interview, so they feel as comfortable as possible. Tell them what to wear. For example, candidates turning up in a suit to a casual-clothes company will make them feel embarrassed. Also, tell them roughly what you’re going to go through. For example, you could tell them that:

• The interview will be one hour.

• It will be with the hiring manager and one current employee on the team.

• It will consist of some conversation for each party to get to know the other and to find out more about their past roles and experience.

• There will be some technical exercises that will be done collaboratively.

• There will be plenty of opportunities for them to ask questions about the company, the team, and the role.

The more transparent you are, the more you put the candidate at ease and the more ...