Interviewing is difficult, but it is one of the most important jobs that a manager performs. Personally, I have made some wonderful hiring decisions, but I have also hired some employees that were not quite the right fit for our company. If I had been more thorough in the initial interview process, I could have avoided the pain of some of the bad hires.

Here are some tips to master the interview:

• Know the position – Whether you have a formal job description or a rough draft, make sure you know the details of the job. Effectively communicate the position to the applicants.
• Know the skill set required – What are the education requirements? What skills are necessary for consideration? Once the essential skills have been established, the field of applicants can be narrowed, allowing the most qualified candidates to stand out.
• Create questions – Before the interview, take time to create questions that are appropriate to the job.
• Be consistent – When interviewing multiple people for the same job, you must be consistent. Asking everyone the same questions helps you to be objective.
• Avoid personal conversation – Sometimes you will establish a good rapport with the interviewee which leads to a more casual interview. However, remain professional and do not ask personal questions. There are specific questions you cannot ask during an interview. Make sure you are aware of what you can and cannot ask.
• Involve HR – If you have an HR department or use ahuman resources outsourcing company, get them involved in the hiring process. They can guide you and keep you out of trouble.
• Assessment tools – There are many assessment tools on the market which evaluate a candidate’s compatibility and judgment as well as their background. In my experience, these tools are well worth the cost.

 Further Reading: Hiring The Right Talent

And finally, follow your instincts. If your gut is telling you that something is not right with a candidate when all other signs say yes, you need to listen. Some people interview very well, but are not the right fit for the company’s culture.

Interviewing and hiring is both a science and an art. The right people are the key to your business’ success. It is time to master the interview!