The highly competitive job market has had a variety of impacts on the hiring process. With so many highly qualified candidates applying for job openings these days, how can you be sure you’re going to hire the right one?

While you may not technically be a boss, it’s time to step up your interview tactics and hire like one. Use every interview as a chance to get your candidates to display their true potential. Rather than just spewing a list of questions, look for new ways to challenge your candidates.

Seven boss-like techniques every interviewer should utilize:

1. Do Your Homework. Hiring managers expect their candidates to come prepared to interviews, but often spend little time preparing themselves. A more effective interview starts with a high level of preparation and research on both sides.

Spend time familiarizing yourself with your candidates by reviewing their materials and searching for their social profiles. Through this you will be able to develop a list of questions specifically related to your interviewee’s experiences–alleviating anything glaring and getting more information on the positives.

2. Listen Slower. It’s easy to get caught up on time constraints during an interview. Resist the urge to rush through questions by slowing down your listening habits. As your candidate finishes answering each questions, count silently to five before moving forward with your next question. The candidate’s natural inclination to fill the silence will draw them into better explaining themselves. Amping up your listening skills sets the tone for a more conversational atmosphere during an effective interview.

3. Create A Challenge. Let’s face it–a simple question and answer session isn’t always the best indicator of a candidate’s abilities in this day and age. Many job seekers will say anything if it means they’ll get hired. While it can be easy to detect lies, why risk it? Challenge your potential hires with real scenarios they may be faced with in the position they’re applying for.

4. Get Right To The Point. No boss has time for the fluffy filler questions and neither do you. Cut out the nonsensical questions about strengths and weakness–get straight to the point by providing harder hitting questions. This is where you preparation will come in handy. Actively address any concerns regarding the candidate to ensure no questions are left regarding their abilities after the interview.

5. Study Behavior. An interview isn’t just about how well a candidate answered your questions, it’s also about getting a feel for their overall behavior. Was your potential hire overly nervous, awkwardly quiet, or indirect? Chances are they may not be the kind of individual you’re looking for. Use your interviews as a time to hone in on how well a candidate handles themselves in certain situations.

6. Assess Values. Hiring candidates to match company culture is essential when it comes to ensuring employee satisfaction and long term employment. A candidate’s values aren’t always easy to grasp from a resume or cover letter, so it’s important you address their personal values and interests during an interview. Your candidate may seem like a perfect fit in every other area, but unmatched values can often lead to a poor fit.

7. Get Concrete Evidence. A boss doesn’t just ask about what you’ve done–they ask to see it. The same should go for the way you interview candidates. Prompt your potential hires to bring a portfolio of work examples to their interview. This will allow you to get a first-hand look at the work they’ve produced.

Maybe you’re not a boss, but it shouldn’t stop you from interviewing like one. Get the most out of every interview by striving to utilize more effective interview techniques.

 Share your Interview Tips with us!

What interview techniques have you found to be most effective?