• Put the applicant at ease by beginning in a friendly manner
• Express appreciation for the applicant’s interest in the position
• Mention that you will be taking notes

Listen

• For frequent hesitancy
• Does the candidate:
  • Avoid certain questions?
  • Digress to other topics?
  • Reluctantly (or unable to) answer questions?

Observe

• Overly nervous body language
• Consider the applicant’s responses to all questions rather than focusing on one (good or not-so-good) response to get a sense of the person’s overall strengths and weaknesses.

Take Notes

• To document the interview and your observations
• To recall and review the interview when evaluating applicants and to make the hiring decision
• To defend the accuracy of selection decision