Interviewing can be an extremely lengthy process it's worth looking at ways to reduce the time invested when interviewing. When used properly, these techniques can efficiently identify the best candidates, saving time and resources for both the company and the individual.
Structured Interviewing
Structured interviews involve asking each candidate the same set of questions in the same order, ensuring a consistent basis for comparison. By sticking to a standardized question format, hiring managers can efficiently assess the skills and experiences of each candidate. This method minimizes biases and ensures that interviewers don't veer off track with tangential or irrelevant conversations. It also makes the assessment process faster as responses can be directly compared.
Aptitude Testing
Aptitude tests assess a candidate's ability to perform specific tasks or skills related to the job. By employing aptitude tests, hiring managers can quickly gauge if a candidate possesses the inherent ability to succeed in the role. These tests can be in the form of problem-solving exercises, technical tests, or logical reasoning assessments. Since the tests are standardized, it saves time as there's no need to evaluate each candidate's resume or experience in-depth to judge their capability.
Video Screening
Before inviting candidates for in-person interviews, consider using video screenings. Candidates can record their answers to predetermined questions, and hiring managers can then review these recordings at their convenience. This method not only saves time by allowing managers to watch responses during off-hours but also helps to assess the candidate's communication skills and presence before proceeding to the next round.
Group Interviews
For positions where multiple candidates are shortlisted, conducting group interviews can be a time-efficient approach. In this setting, candidates can be given tasks or discussions that showcase their teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Observing multiple candidates at once allows hiring managers to compare and contrast candidates, thus streamlining the decision-making process.
Panel Interviews
Instead of multiple individual interviews, where a candidate meets with various team members or departments separately, a panel interview consolidates this process. In a panel interview, several interviewers meet with a candidate at the same time. This approach provides multiple perspectives on a candidate’s suitability for a role and allows immediate feedback and discussion among the interviewers post-interview. It saves time by reducing the need for the candidate to repeat information or for interviewers to cross-check with one another afterward.
Task-Based Assignments
For many roles, especially in areas like content creation, design, programming, or marketing, a task-based assignment can be an efficient way to evaluate a candidate's skills. By providing a real-world task or a simulation related to the job, hiring managers can observe how candidates approach problems, their creativity, and the quality of their output. This can often provide a clearer picture of a candidate's capabilities than a traditional question-and-answer format. Additionally, this method can be combined with other interview techniques, such as group or panel interviews, to further save time and enhance the evaluation process.
AI-Powered Skill Matching
Leverage AI-driven tools to filter and match candidate resumes with job requirements. By automating the initial shortlisting process, these tools can significantly reduce the number of unqualified candidates that reach the interview stage. This means hiring managers only spend time with candidates who have a higher likelihood of being a good fit for the role.
By integrating these techniques, hiring managers can optimize their interview processes, ensuring they identify the best candidates in a shorter span of time.
