Interviewing job candidates: Picking up on cues

Excerpted from the Executive Report: Interviewing - Weed Out Slackers, Stupid People and Bad Fits

If interviews were just about questions and answers, we could just write down the questions and ask job candidates to respond in writing.

Of course interviews are about much more than just questions and answers. A lot of what you get from candidates lies in how they answer - their language, mannerisms and expressions, for instance. Or in what you might call the parenthetical statements they make.

Let's not make the mistake of believing we can use mannerisms as a crystal ball to tell, for instance, if a candidate is lying. We can't. Still, we can study some typical traits and what they generally reveal about a candidate. For example:

• Complaints about current job or boss.  That's a sign the candidate thinks "it's everyone else's fault," and an indicator of questionable loyalty.
• Speaking quickly before processing a question, or cutting off your question. If the answer's on-target, maybe that's fine. You might have a quick thinker in front of you. Otherwise, though, the person may be a careless worker who lacks preparation.
• Pretending to know all about your organization. Someone who studies the company beforehand is a candidate worth considering. But you'll know when the person crosses the line and professes to know more than you do. That's a danger sign of conceit.
• Criticizing, lacking respect for or poking fun at junior staff, support people or others in lesser positions. You're probably dealing with an inconsiderate bully.
• Showing poor manners. Smart candidates pick up the expected manners and culture of a prospective employer. Ignoring the manners and culture is a sign that someone's oblivious to what's appropriate and what's inappropriate.

DIGGING DEEPER
The interview is full of opportunities for misinterpretation, misunderstanding and just plain missing the mark. How can you be sure your next interviews lead to a successful hire? Read the executive report: Interviewing - Weed Out Slackers, Stupid People and Bad Fits