Interviewing job candidates – asking the tough, probing questions that separate the best applicants from the rest of the pack – is one of your most important duties. If you make mistakes or miss any warning signs, you could wind up with new hires who don't meet your standards, or who'll cause lots of trouble in your workplace.
Many employers rely on their first impressions during interviews, without digging deeper to find out if a candidate is truly right for the job. Others fall into the trap of gauging only the candidate's personality rather than his or her job skills - or vice versa. It's easy to assume that interviewing is a skill that comes naturally; either you have it or you don’t. But this misconception can cost you big.
Order this audio conference recording and learn how to avoid the most common job interview mistakes. Our expert – an experienced employment attorney who's counseled many clients in this area - will discuss strategies for creating the most effective interview environments, structuring interviews so that you learn as much as possible about candidates in the time available, and following up on discrepancies and other red flags.
You and your colleagues will learn:
- Why even well-intentioned, thoughtful job interviews can still lead to the worst hires
- How to schedule, set up, and prepare for interviews to learn as much as possible about your candidates even before they walk in the door
- The questions you should always ask in an interview - and what you must never ask
- Why honing your questioning and research techniques can help you hire the best available talent
- The questions that reveal the most about an applicant's work skills and weaknesses
- How to address red-flag concerns (such as resume discrepancies) and get the full story from an applicant
- The interview topics that cause the most legal risks for employers, and how to steer clear
- When it makes sense to follow up with additional questions after an interview - and when you should simply cut your losses and move on to the next applicant
This audio conference was recorded on Friday, June 27, 2008
About Your Speaker:
Christine Nicolaides Kearns, Esq., is a partner in the Washington, DC, office of law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw & Pittman, LLP. Her practice focuses on employment and employment benefits disputes. She has successfully handled a wide variety of cases before federal and state courts, arbitration panels and administrative agencies relating to complex employment contracts, trade secrets and restrictive covenants, executive compensation, and claims involving ERISA, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation matters.
She regularly counsels clients in managing difficult terminations and other employment actions to avoid resultant claims, conducts internal investigations of the most sensitive nature, and utilizes mediation to achieve optimal results. She earned her law degree at Vanderbilt University School of Law.
Approved for Recertification Credit
This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI home page at www.hrci.org.
