Whether you’re brand new to hiring people for your company or you’ve been doing it for a while now, there’s always a sense of anticipation and excitement about potentially finding a new team member. When you’re interviewing a lot of people, though, it can be difficult to discern the differences between two equally qualified candidates. To assist you in making this critical decision, we’ve come up with a few signs you’ve found the right candidate to hire that you might not spot just by looking at a résumé.
They’ve Researched Your Company
A quality candidate who’s truly looking to make a good impression on their interviewer is going to take the time to make sure they know about your business. If this is important to you, consider sneaking in a question during the interview such as, “What do you think about our current operations?” This will let you know if the candidate has done the necessary research before arriving for the interview.
They’re Good Communicators
It doesn’t really matter what you hired them for—every member of your team is going to need to talk to someone else at some point. Observe interviewees closely as they answer questions. Do they shy away from answers? Do they talk around the main issue? These problems can translate to someone who is more difficult to communicate with on the job. The interview should have a sense of flow to it. Getting a straight answer out of the candidate shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth.
They’re Knowledgeable About Their Area of Expertise
A good candidate will be able to talk at length about their area of expertise without a problem. Nerves can get in the way, so a stumble here and there isn’t an immediate red flag, but they should come off as well informed in the end. Be sure you’re asking the right questions to get the answers you’re looking for.
They Show True Enthusiasm
When it’s up to you to choose a new team member, you want the new person to have a passion for what they’re going to do. A candidate who’s just interviewing for any job or one who doesn’t show any enthusiasm when speaking about the subject of the interview won’t bring the right energy to your company.
They Don’t Hide Their Faults
One of the clearest signs you’ve found the right candidate to hire is that they don’t pull punches when it comes to speaking about themselves. Nobody is perfect, and anyone who tries to come across like they are is probably hiding something from you. This is why asking about failures or personal weaknesses is useful. It lets you see how self-aware they are and how they’re working to improve themselves.
