1. In what way(s) do you try to create a positive candidate experience during the interview process? Please provide a specific example.
After researching how companies interview candidates for business coaching clients, I created a proprietary approach called "Casting Call". This program is in response to the adversarial approaches that I found.
The premise creates excitement because the candidate is actually auditioning for the position. That simple shift creates an enthusiasm and excitement around it. Also, it demonstrates that the company using the approach has flare and can be innovative so it reflects well back to the interviewer. Before coming to the interview, I ask a candidate to bring along something that has deep meaning for them. This can be revealing and nothing to do with the job but more about the individual.
The objective is to have the candidate filled with a positive feeling that they've been heard and considered. It is relational experience rather than a scripted "strengths-and-weakness" session filled with inane questions.
2. What are some benefits you have seen in creating a positive experience for candidates?
- A benefit is the candidate can be candid and not rote in response because they are spontaneous. Yes, part of my coaching with the interviewer is to create questions relative to performance requirements for the position. For example, a question about working style around sequence and deadlines can reveal how well someone is likely to perform in a production environment.
- Casting Call removes a need to trip up someone and broadens the "stage" for responses. They can get up from a chair while presenting their ideas.
- This approach demonstrates how rich a vocabulary the person has and how well they do presentations. For example, when they present the item selected of value to them, insights come through about values and personal connections.
- Observed behavior during the "audition" can be valuable to understand how the person may fit the company culture.
- When they leave the interview, it is likely they will communicate to their spheres of influence how different the interview process was and may even broadcast on social media about it.
Most of all, humans want to please and feel they gave the interview their best shot. Casting Call offers them that experience.
