How to Conduct Job Interviews When You’ve Never Done It Before

If you’ve never interviewed someone before and are now tasked with doing so, don’t worry. Like any other skill, you can master “job interviewing” with practice. Here’s some advice that can fast-track your learning: (1) Prior to conducting the interview, identify what skills the candidate must have versus what skills can be taught on the job; (2) Make sure your questions prompt candidates to share specific examples; (3) Practice with a peer beforehand, and ask them to give you difficult answers so you can navigate unexpected situations; (4) Set a positive tone at the start of the interview by asking the candidate about their day; (5) Take notes — don’t rely on your memory, especially if you’re interviewing multiple people; and (6) Evaluate the candidate — and your own experience conducting the interview.