Management Tip of the Day: Find Out How Skilled a Job Candidate Really Is

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile APRIL 18, 2013 Find Out How Skilled a Job Candidate Really Is The point of a job interview is to make sure the candidate has the necessary skills to do the work. But aside from references, how can you determine if a potential employee actually knows what he claims to know? Here are two tips for finding out how deep a person's knowledge and experience goes: Ask "how" and "why." When an interviewee relays a success story, drill down to understand as much as you can. Keep asking, "How did you do that?" or "Why?" until you get to a question the candidate can't answer. This isn't always comfortable but it will shed light on his true capabilities. Bring in a fellow interviewer. With two people conducting the interview, one of you can focus on asking the right questions and the other can listen attentively to responses. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "The Right Way to Conduct a Job Interview" by Michael Mauboussin. Watch the full video and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Going Global Collection: How to Succeed in Today's Global Business Environment Special Collections If you want to succeed in the global economy, you need to have the skills, tools and insight to navigate today's globalized business world. This specially priced 3-volume set will give you the edge you need to gain a whole new perspective on success in the global marketplace. The Going Global Collection: How to Succeed in Today's Global Business Environment will help you: Learn how to adapt to a business world in which all the rules have changed Discover the key to capitalizing on global innovation Remain effective in the face of unforeseen challenges ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Aim for Smart Failure How to Connect With a Remote Colleague Allocate Your Time and Your Effort Act with Care When Someone Cries at Work Perfect Your Personal Elevator Pitch Use Personal Rituals to Make Changes Stick Get Customers to Advocate for You Choose the Right Chart for Your Slide Quickly Quiet Your Mind Evaluate Remote Workers Fairly All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study HBR's 10 Must Reads on Leadership HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)