At some point in their career interviewers will probably have been interviewees, so most people feel confident that they can competently conduct interviews and, critically, appoint the best candidate...however the hard fact is that it is not so easy.

Recruitment specialist Lynda Ward, founder and owner of Pet Trade Solutions, says many good candidates slip through the net because inexperienced interviewers don’t have the skills, aptitude or experience needed.

She says: “Let’s assume that you have sourced a good short-list of viable potential employees. The interview is the next hurdle and poor preparation is probably the commonest crime an interviewer can commit."

Examples of this include:

• Not having an understanding of the vacant role
• Not researching the key skills and competencies required
• Not preparing a list of suitable questions
• Not having a job description ready to be discussed
• Not knowing the remuneration package or future prospects

Even when all the above boxes are ticked, interviewers can still come unstuck and actually repel good applicants by for example:

• Talking too much about themselves, the role or the company
• Not giving candidates enough time to fully answer questions
• Not offering candidates the opportunity to ask questions
• Being condescending, too personal or too impersonal

Lynda concludes: “The experience should be positive and painless for all parties and, conducted improperly will result in either the cost and hassle of the wrong person being employed or simply cost, hassle and waste of interview time - whilst conducted professionally will result in the right person placed in the right job for the long-term.”

Lynda is always happy to personally offer free advice on any aspects of recruitment and can be contacted on 07946-743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com