Luxury Supervisors and the Pits - Proper Interviewing Techniques and Strategies

In this supervisors' core training white paper, we deal with a red hot issue often over looked by Human Resources (HR) professionals; the subject of proper interviewing techniques. Given the level of sophistication of today's workers, companies can ill afford not to cover this subject in great detail with those who conduct interviews for them.

Supervisors' Will be Held Liable

Supervisors must attend core training sessions where they learn the questions they can and cannot ask during an interview. And since they are representatives of the company, everything they say can, and probably will be used against them in a court of law. One of the great dangers is- supervisors making promises to prospective employees, out of earshot of the HR department, which the company did not authorize, and therefore cannot keep. For example, the supervisor says "you've already got the job-just go to HR and get a start date."

The Hidden Danger

One of the hidden dangers here is the HR department has not been able to complete a due diligence background check with includes, but is not limited to, a check and verification of Social Security Numbers, a drivers license check, credit check, and criminal history background check- to name a few. There are grave consequences if a company fails to conduct a background check and a criminal act is committed on their premises. Supervisors must be taught to respect the hiring process and not get ahead of HR by making promises the company simply cannot keep.

Train on Techniques

Supervisors can and must be taught how to properly conduct interviews of perspective employees. Today's workers are coming to the interview knowing the questions the supervisor can and cannot ask. For example you cannot ask an interviewee if they are married. This is an illegal question, prohibited by law, which could get your company sued. Another line of questioning prohibited by law is asking an interviewee about a disability. These are but two of a long list of questions you must use caution, and be keenly aware of, when conducting interviews.

Therefore, your supervisors must be trained on how to initiate, conduct, and properly end the interview.

Remain On Point Throughout

Where many supervisors (who are company representatives) drop the ball is when, for example, the interviewee asks to use the restroom facilities and, while walking the person back, the supervisor starts to ask a line of personal questions. Always remember unless and until the person is hired, they are still in the interviewing process. This means never ask questions you cannot ask. The bottom line rule of thumb is; if it is not job related; don't ask the question- period.

Summary

Given the level of sophistication of today's workers, companies can ill afford not to cover the subject of proper interviewing techniques and strategies (in great detail) with supervisors conducting interviews for the company. Your supervisor core training must include the questions supervisors are prohibited from asking. The Human resources department must make this core training a top priority.

© 2009 Cubie Davis King. All Rights Reserved.