Chapter 1. Before the Interview – Preparing and Practicing

In this chapter, I will teach you about the information gathering and confidence building tools you need to excel as an interviewer. You can prepare and practice these topics to perfection before you interview anyone. You will learn how to do the following:

• Determine the job specification

• Gather information from HR

• Manage the interview

• Keep the interview legal

• Prepare yourself for the interview

• Prepare the opening introductions

• Be your best in the interview—performance mode

• Prepare the candidate for interview

By the end of this chapter, you will have worked through the preparations you need to be confident and at ease when conducting an interview. Knowing what to do is not the same as being able to do it though! This chapter is the foundation for the interviewing skills we are developing in you. A solid foundation is essential before moving to the next stage. I want you to do the preparation, put in the work, and keep practicing until you are perfect in each of the fifteen topics in this chapter.

As a gray-haired ex-manager, I can tell you that my focus is always on performance, that of both myself and my team. A good interviewer will create a job opportunity that is a perfect match for the chosen candidate. I will try to pass on my experience of interviewing as clearly as possible, but most importantly, I want you to focus on your own performance as an interviewer. If you are focused and committed to improving and developing your skills, you will become a noticeably good interviewer—you will wow people with your interviewing skills!

If you're ready, let's make a start.