Do you have any questions? Should we let candidates ask first?

I've been reading Recruit Rockstars by Jeff Hyman and came across an idea that I wanted to share about changing the traditional interview setup.

Hyman suggests that instead of having candidates ask questions at the end of an interview that they have prepared, we should invite them to ask right at the beginning.

He suggests an interview flow that looks like this: first, the interviewer introduces themselves and the role, then immediately allows candidates to ask any questions they’ve prepared, before transitioning to discussing the candidates' backgrounds and experiences.

Here’s why Hyman believes this can make a big difference:

🔹 Comfort and Authenticity: This method helps put candidates at ease much earlier in the conversation. It shifts the dynamic from a high-pressure test to a two-way dialogue, encouraging them to be more open and authentic.

🔹 Cognitive Clues: The types of questions candidates ask can also tell us a lot about their thinking process. Are they detail-oriented, strategic, or still unsure about the role? This helps us understand whether they're likely a good fit intellectually and culturally.

🔹 Understanding Doubts: The nature of their questions can reveal whether they are already convinced about possibly joining the team or if there are doubts that need to be addressed. This helps tailor our responses throughout the interview to ensure they feel confident about the fit and the opportunity, which can be hard when there are only 5 minutes left at the end of the interview.

🔹 Early Engagement and Insight: By allowing candidates to lead with their questions, we can immediately assess their level of preparation and engagement. It's a clear indicator of how much research they've done and their enthusiasm for the role.

After addressing their initial questions, Hyman encourages ongoing questions throughout the interview, keeping the conversation open and dynamic.

This approach not only deepens understanding but also maintains a comfortable atmosphere for the candidates. By flipping the interview script, Hyman suggests we not only make the process more efficient but also create a more engaging and revealing dialogue right from the start.

🔄 Curious to hear from others: Have you experimented with letting candidates ask questions early in the interview? How has it affected the dynamics and outcomes of your interviews?

#Leadership #HRInnovation #Recruitment #JobInterviews #BusinessBooks #recruitingrockstars