Interviewing Prospective Employees

You should end the interview by asking the applicant if he or she has any questions. Make sure you know the answers before responding, or make it clear that you can find out the answers and let them know. You do not want to misrepresent yourself or your company by answering incorrectly. It's crucial that any statements you make about the company or about the position be accurate.

And finally, you should thank each applicant for coming in to the interview and firmly shake his or her hand. It goes without saying that you need to be polite and professional throughout the entire interview process.

Along with the interview questions you should ask, there are several questions you should not ask, including:

How old are you?

What is your religion?

What ethnicity are you?

What is your sexual preference?

Are you married?

Do you have children?

Are you planning to start a family?

Have you ever done drugs?

Have you ever been arrested?

Also forbidden are any other questions that relate to personal information but not to the job. In addition, you should not touch an applicant, other than sharing a handshake.

If an interview goes well, you'll want to schedule a second interview with a strong candidate. This is the time to describe the job more thoroughly and discuss salary. It's also at this point that you might introduce the candidate to the person who will be his or her immediate supervisor, should that be someone other than yourself. In many cases, the supervisor will conduct the follow-up interview.

No matter how much you may feel that someone is right for a job, it's in your best interest to ask for, and contact, references. You'll also want to ask the prospective employee to sign a form allowing you to perform a background check. You should then take the time to do it. Check out past employers to make sure the applicant worked where they claim they did and, if possible, talk to a former supervisor. Also check that the applicant did attend the schools he or she listed on his or her resume or application.

Want more expert advice about the hiring process? Have you wondered how to use the Web to your advantage in recruiting? Our guide to online recruiting includes some general guidance on interviewing, reference checks, and other aspects of hiring, and it also tells you about the different online resources available to support your hiring and recruiting. Learn more about how to get the best people for your business with The Scoop on Online Recruiting.