Coordinating Better Multiple In-Person Interviews

In a perfect world, one interview is all it would take to determine if a candidate is suitable for an open position. Unfortunately, multiple interviews are the norm in many industries. Although most interview tips focus on questions to ask during interviews, some of them should address the best way to coordinate multiple interviews with candidates. You must stress the importance of multiple interviews without making candidates feel like you are wasting their time. Use these interview tips to maximize your time and avoid some of the common problems associated with multiple interviews.

One of the easiest interview tips to follow when scheduling multiple in-person interviews is to have candidates come in for one full day of interviews instead of asking them to come to your office two or three times. Before contacting candidates, make sure everyone involved in the interview process will be available on the same day. Instead of having each candidate come in for three separate interviews, have each person meet with a human resources representative, hiring manager, and department member at different times during the same day. This will also reduce the amount of time it takes to fill the position.

Another interview tip to follow is taking the time to evaluate information immediately following each interview. Compare the requirements listed in the job description with the information provided by each candidate. If one of the candidates does not meet the minimum requirements, eliminate that candidate from consideration. Doing this will prevent you from spending time scheduling multiple interviews only to find out that a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements after you have already met with him or her several times.

How you behave while you are conducting interviews also plays a role in how well you are able to coordinate multiple in-person interviews. Pat DiDomenico of "Business Management Daily" says interviewers should spend about 85 percent of the time listening and 15 percent of it talking. This will give you enough time to elicit important information from candidates without exceeding your allotted interview times and changing the entire interview schedule. When conducting interviews, you should also give candidates a few seconds of silence to think about their answers instead of rushing to fill time with more talking.

Basic administrative skills go a long way when you have to coordinate multiple in-person interviews. Interview tips from experts include setting a strict time limit for each interview and holding the interviews in a central location so that you don't have to escort candidates all over your building. If your human resources department has enough space, use one area for candidate preparation and one area for interviewing. If you plan to conduct panel interviews or have candidates complete skills tests during the interview process, use a conference room or other location with enough room for candidates to work comfortably.

You have likely used some of these tips in the past. However, if you are new to coordinating multiple interviews, this might be fresh and useful information. Don't be afraid to ask experienced colleagues for interview tips or information about conducting multiple interviews.

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