Congratulations! Your boss just promoted you to be the manager for his company. His first task for you is to hire someone to take your former position. If you are having trouble figuring out how to hire that “perfect” person, here are some steps to help you prepare for interviewing the candidates.

Step 1: Setting Up the Interview

Setting a time and date for an interview is one of the most important steps of the interview process.

Step 2: Reviewing the Resume for Questions

Looking at a resume gives you an idea of the candidate’s qualifications, skills, and helps you create questions to ask in the interview.

Step 3: Proper Clothing

Dress business casual. It is appropriate if both the interviewer, and the interviewee are dressed for business. Do not wear shorts and a t-shirt.

Step 4: Handshake

Shaking someone’s hand gives you a clue about that person. If the candidate has a firm handshake, then that person means business.

Step 5: The Interview Itself

Begin by talking about what your company does. Then ask a few questions about the candidate’s experiences and why that person would be a good fit for the company. Here are a couple of general questions you could also ask:

- Why should we hire you?

- What are your strengths?

- What are your weaknesses?

- Why do you want this job?

- Tell me about yourself.

- Do you have any questions for me about the position?