How to Conduct a Recruitment Interview

Recruitment interviews are more than a list of questions – they're a strategic opportunity to uncover a candidate's true potential.

This training provides a clear and structured approach to conducting interviews with professionalism and impact. You’ll learn how to ask the right questions, evaluate candidates objectively, and ensure fairness and non-discrimination throughout the process.

You’ll also strengthen your ability to listen actively and interpret both verbal and non-verbal cues.

The result? Greater confidence, sharper insights, and more effective hiring decisions to support your organisation’s long-term success.

By the end of the training participants shall be able to:

• Enhance the candidate experience through professional and engaging interview practices

• Understand how to structure effective job interviews

• Apply effective questioning techniques to gather accurate and relevant information

• Explore assessment methods and understand their relevance according to positions and profiles

• Recognize recruitment biases to ensure objectivity 

• Find out about non-verbal communication cues to enhance understanding during interviews

Introduction: Principles & Stakes of Recruitment Interviews

• Core principles: Confidentiality, communication, non-discrimination, equal employer–candidate relationship

• What is at stake during the interview?

  • Candidate experience as a differentiator

  • The cost of miscasting

Key Milestones in the Recruitment Process

• Starting the recruitment process: Analyse hiring needs, prepare impactful job descriptions and select relevant sourcing methods and channels. 

• Preparing successfully for interviews

• Structuring interviews: the value of interview steps and grids

• Conducting the interview step by step:

  • Welcoming and introducing with impact

  • Encouraging open discussion and practicing active listening

  • Exploring CV and professional paths

  • Digging into motivations and drivers

  • Questioning skills and qualifications

  • Exploring personality (including the use of psychometric tools)

  • Presenting and “selling” successfully the company and position

Exploring Assessment Methods & Scenarios

• Find out about different assessment techniques (CBI, behavioral, situational, technical, …)

• Adapting the method to:

  • The recruitment context

  • Competencies to evaluate

  • Candidate profile and seniority

  • Nature of the position

Video Interviewing in Practice

• Best practices for remote interviews

• Technical setup and etiquette

• Ensuring fairness and engagement

Non-Verbal Communication in Interviews

• Myths vs. realities

• What can (and can’t) be interpreted

• Using non-verbal awareness to improve listening and rapport

Recognizing Cognitive Biases

• Frequent biases in interviews (halo effect, similarity bias, confirmation bias, etc.)

• Strategies to limit bias and maintain objectivity

Practical Guidance: Dos and Don’ts

• Effective vs. unrelevant (or forbidden) questions

• Building consistency across multiple interviews

Managing Interview Challenges

• Silences, nervousness, lack of authenticity

• Difficult or evasive candidates

• Staying professional under pressure

Objective & Successful Decision-Making

• Structuring feedback

• Consolidating evaluation and making a fair, evidence-based hiring recommendation

• Ending the recruitment process and managing unsuccessful candidates

 HR professionals, recruiters, and managers involved in hiring

• Interactive presentation with real-life examples

• Practical exercises, role-plays and personalized feedback

• Group discussions to share experiences and best practices

• Participants will have time between Day 1 and Day 2 to test interview techniques in practice, with Day 2 starting with a collective debriefing and exchange of experiences

At the end of the training, the participants will receive a certificate of participation delivered by the House of Training.