This is the perfect opportunity to gauge if the candidate is indeed a good fit not just for the position but also for the company. That’s why, as a hiring manager or real estate recruiter, you need to develop your skills as an interviewer.
Thankfully, this is a skill that can be learned and developed through practice. Here are some tips to hone your interviewing prowess:
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Interview Guides
Interview guides are useful for every kind of interviewer, from new recruiters to seasoned professionals. In fact, old hats may sometimes need occasional reminders of some best practices. That’s why there’s no shame in using interview guides.
Usually, you can find interview guides built-in with recruiting services such as Wizehire. The particular guide that comes with Wizehire includes specific kinds of questions that you need to ask during each interview stage. This way, you can get the most helpful answers. There’s also a feature that helps manage communications with candidates until the final phase of the interview process, as well as a function that organizes interview responses.
In short, interview guides not only guide you during the actual interview but also help you manage the entire process. This can result in higher-quality hires, a robust directory of passive candidates, and an overall more efficient interviews.
Allocate More Time Than You Expect to Spend
Interviews are highly unpredictable. They could either go shorter or longer than you planned, usually depending on the rapport you’ve established with the candidate. Ideally, you should aim to finish earlier or right on time. This is especially important if you’re interviewing plenty of candidates on the same day.
The problem is that you really can’t predict how long an interview will go. Some real estate agents can get rather chatty, too, because being pleasant and charming is part of the job. Thus, it’s better to allocate a little more time than you expect to spend. About 10 to 15 minutes is a good enough buffer, so you can wrap up and still prepare for the next interview.
Of course, don’t forget to choose a conducive location, away from the office if you must. This will help you focus on the interviewee, leaving a good impression on whether or not they will get hired.
Study the Resume Carefully
An interview is not the time to ask for the candidate’s credentials and qualifications. You should already know these details through their resume or CV. You can, of course, keep the documents handy just in case you need a reference. However, your questions should already be probing deeper into the candidate’s character.
If you want, you can ask open-ended questions in relation to the information in the candidate’s resume or CV. For example, “How do you think your experience from selling this particular property can help you in this new post?” By mentioning this kind of detail, you can show the applicant that you studied their application carefully and help establish rapport.
Take Command, but...
As the interviewer, it’s your job to set the tone of the interview. Let the candidate know what they can expect for the duration of the conversation. Be decisive but friendly, earnest but not overbearing.
You should also keep in mind that you’re representing the brokerage. Thus, you want to make a good impression so as to further cement the applicant’s desire to be part of your team. The key is to find that balance between a figure of authority and a colleague so that you can bring out the best in the candidate.
… Let the Interviewee Talk
While you have to set the tone of the interview, it’s also important to remember that the candidate should be doing the most of the talking. You can steer the conversation so that you can get the answers or information you’re looking for. All in all, however, you should be listening more than talking.
One point in the interview when you should definitely be talking more is when the interviewee asks their own questions. This is an important part of the interview, since their questions can help you gauge the candidate’s level of interest in the job and the company. When you answer, make sure to do so thoroughly. You may even confer with the applicant if you managed to cover all their concerns.
Use Nonverbal Gestures
When you listen to a candidate’s answers, you may end up too focused and intense. This can be discomfiting. Make sure to use nonverbal gestures, such as leaning forward or nodding, to help indicate your interest. These small actions can also help build rapport, keeping the interviewee comfortable and therefore more inclined to share information. This can then make the decision-making process a lot easier.
The most important thing to remember is that candidates who make it to the interview have already made it through a round of selections. This means that you have to pay more attention to the interview so you can ensure that you make a good hire. Hopefully, these interview tips can help you facilitate a successful interview and find the best agents for your brokerage.