I asked candidates a simple question last week on a LinkedIn poll: “Have you ever left an interview feeling no longer interested in the job?”
95% said yes.
Let that sink in!
Here’s something I’ve learned: interviews are basically first dates for your professional life. And just like dating, both people are deciding if this could be something more.
The thing is, hiring managers and HR have spent so much time perfecting how to evaluate candidates that some have forgotten candidates are evaluating them right back. Every moment they spend with you, from the first email to the final handshake, candidates are asking themselves: “Do I want to work here?”
And based on my poll, a lot are not making a great impression.
I’ve heard so many stories. The interviewer who clearly didn’t read the CV. The panel that felt more like a firing squad than a welcoming committee. The company that promised “we’ll get back to you soon” and then vanished into thin air. The interviewers who seemed uninterested or on their phone. The job description that morphs into something completely different during the actual conversation.
None of these things mean you’re a bad company to work for. But they do mean someone who was potentially excited about joining you walked away with doubts.
Here’s the Good News: This is fixable.
It starts with remembering that the person across from you took time off work, prepared carefully, and probably feels a bit nervous. They’re hoping you’ll be great. They want to be excited about this opportunity.
Your job isn’t just to assess, it’s to connect. To listen. To show them the best of what you have to offer while being honest about the challenges too.
And don’t forget some of these candidates are probably interviewing with your competitors too.
If 95% of candidates have had this experience, chances are some of your candidates have too. Not because you’re doing anything malicious, but because it’s easy to forget how much interviews matter for both sides.
So maybe today’s the day to ask: What kind of experience are you really creating? And more importantly, what kind do you want to create?
Because when you get this right, everyone wins and you’re in a much better position to attract the best talent.