Is it Your First Time Interviewing? Avoid These 5 Mistakes!

Interviews can make even the most seasoned candidates quake in their boots, but they can be equally as daunting for interviewers, particularly first-timers.

If you want to avoid wasting time, money, and precious resources, it’s essential to get it right.

Here are five common interview mistakes to avoid.

1. Not having a clear picture of what you want

If you don’t see a target clearly, chances are you’ll miss it.

Do you have a clear picture in your mind of the skills, traits, and experience you’re looking for? Are the rest of the interview panel in agreement?

Get everyone involved in the hiring process. Agree on the key priorities and accomplishments needed from your new fundraiser.

2. Being too quick to judge

Unicorn candidates are hard to come by. You’re unlikely to find a candidate that ticks every box, so be realistic and open-minded when shortlisting CVs.

You may be concerned about an employment gap, but try not to form opinions about candidates before you meet them.

While your concerns may be justified; your assumptions could be way off the mark.

3. Not putting candidates at ease

You want candidates to talk openly and honestly, right? Then set them up to do so.

Smile, greet them warmly, and show an interest in them.

As obvious as they seem, these small gestures are key to setting the tone for a relaxed and open exchange.

And find a quiet room to hold interviews in.

The candidates will already be nervous. Ringing phones won’t help matters.

4. Evaluating candidates on the wrong factors

One of the most common mistakes rookie interviewers make is looking for new recruits with the same personalities/traits as existing employees.

However, a candidate with a complementary, rather than identical skill set may be of greater benefit to the team.

Although it’s important to bear cultural fit in mind, the most successful organisations have diverse teams made up of people with different personalities, and skillsets.

5. Failing to sell your organisation

An interview is a two-way street. It’s just as important for you to sell the charity to candidates as it is for them to sell themselves to you.

This is particularly important in the charity sector, where talented employees are in high demand.

Think through the key selling points of the role, the organisation, and your culture, and be sure to communicate them clearly.

Are you hiring? We can help you find the right person for the job. Call us on 0203 750 3111 for an informal chat.