If you search the internet, you will see an abundance of articles written to help candidates prepare for an interview. What is hard to find are some tips and tricks for actual interviewers. There are two sides of the coin and each party needs to be prepared for the other. Here are 3 ways to sharpen your interviewing skills when assessing potential candidates.

Assemble and Get Ready

In order to best prepare for the interview start by assembling a list of qualifications and job responsibilities for the open position along with a copy of the candidates resume on hand. Review the potential candidates resume one last time and mark any areas you have questions about or want to find out more information. Ready yourself to answer questions about the company’s goals and employee benefits.

Make Sure Questions Are Appropriate

Keep in mind that there are some questions that an interviewer is legally not allowed to ask. When preparing for the interview, you must carefully avoid questions that are inappropriate or illegal. For example, asking about a candidate’s age, marital status, race or religion can make the candidate feel attacked, uncomfortable or have serious repercussions for your company as they are not within the legal restraints of the interview process. Make sure you are current on what questions are allowed by law. A lot of the time, as an interviewer, if you make the candidate feel comfortable, they will give you the information you need without having to inappropriately ask them.

Do Mock Interviews

Practice your interviewing skills from time to time by doing mock interviews. An occasional mock interview with a co-worker, family member or boss will help sharpen your interviewing skills and allow you to better regulate your selection process. Review and modify your questions to reveal qualities about the candidate that may be positive for your company. For example: What can you do in this position to grow our customer service experience?

Interviewing a potential candidate for an open position can be just as nerve racking for the interviewer as it is the candidate. Taking a little time to prepare and practice will allow you to go in confidently and choose candidates that will best fit the job requirements, work atmosphere and be an overall asset to the company.