Step 4: Selecting
How do I decide which person is best for the role?
How do I interview the candidates?
‘Interviewing’ the chosen candidates can range from a casual conversation to a formal question-based interview. It's important to consider the kind of person you are looking for, the type of business you run, and the technical/transferrable skills and experience you need to decide on the best selection method.
No matter which method you use, focus on getting to know the person. Utilising whakawhanaungatanga—making and keeping connections—can be a great concept to use during this step and throughout your relationship with the candidate. By focusing on building connections and getting to know each other, the candidate is likely to have an authentic experience and accurate image of your business.
Completing interviews, or having conversations with candidates, can be as casual or formal as you like.
Tip: During interviews, it's important to be aware that not all cultures talk about themselves the same way. Being accommodating and focusing on skills and experience can help make sure you don't discount their abilities. Providing the opportunity for interviewees to have a support person with them can also be valuable.
Many industry specific questions have been published online. Such as from;
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Beef + Lamb
Tip: Some questions should not be asked during the interview process as they can be seen as discriminatory. The Employment NZ website here has a list of these questions.
What is psychometric testing?
Psychometric testing is a way to reduce the number of candidates applying for a role and measures a person's ability and personality traits relating to the role. This type of selection method is particularly useful to larger businesses. More information can be found by Hayes Recruitment here and Seek NZ here.
How do I conduct pre-employment trials during an interview process?
It is possible during the interview process to ask the job applicant to perform tasks so you can assess whether they have the skills needed for the job. This is called a pre-employment trial, but it's important to follow proper procedures to ensure it is not considered employment. More information can be found on The Employment NZ website here.