With every industry placing greater importance on attracting, hiring and retaining the right people, focus has shifted from why we hire to the way we hire.

Learning to become a better interviewer is proving to be just as important as finding the ideal candidate who fits both the job requirements and the workplace culture. These days, few companies can afford to let perfectly good applicants slip away because of poor excuses such as a weak or unprepared interviewer.

Another reason to make certain that the interviewer is well primed is because they act as ambassadors for your organization. A job interview is a two-way process; the person asking the questions is also being "interviewed" about the opportunity by the person answering the questions, so interviewers must be personable, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and professional.

There are several good courses available to help organizations train their interviewers in the art of recruiting and selection. But don't let outside training stand in your way of immediately becoming more objective, effective and skilled at identifying future employees. Here are 10 ways to improve your interviewing skills and get more value out of the interview process:

Develop a targeted strategy. Know the opportunity that is being offered, understand the real job needs and what type of person would make a suitable candidate. This strategy will help you recognize the qualities you are seeking, while reducing the time and frustration it costs interviewing unqualified people. By tightening your screening requirements up front, you'll be able to lead more meaningful interviews.

Start with a plan. If you will be interviewing with a colleague, plan ahead to avoid stumbling over one another. Understanding your roles, what you want to accomplish and how the process will go -- even working out who will ask which questions -- will help give the impression that this is a smooth, collaborative operation.

Know your candidate. Making sure you are thoroughly familiar with the candidates' names and backgrounds will make you feel more confident. Study each resumé beforehand so that you can tailor questions to their experiences and will not be distracted by having to hastily read through their qualifications during the interview.

Prepare your questions in advance. The worst thing an interviewer can do is to wing it. A list of scripted questions is akin to a meeting agenda; it's there to guide you, keep you on track and make sure you are successful in what you set out to accomplish. Organize a list of questions that will yield the insightful responses you need to make the right hiring decision.

Proudly represent your company. Every interviewer needs to remember that they, too, are under scrutiny during the interview process. Therefore, make sure you look and act the part of a company representative by dressing appropriately, maintaining good eye contact and speaking confidently, clearly and respectfully.

Focus on listening. Active listening is about more than not talking; it's focusing on what the other person is saying instead of thinking ahead to what your next question will be. If you've properly prepared for the interview, you should be able to give your full attention to what the person across the table is telling you.

If you get the superficial, dig for the substantial. Some candidates will give you traditional responses they believe you want to hear. If someone is coming up short in their answers, ask them to elaborate further with real-life examples and for details that will help differentiate them from the next candidate. Be respectful, but be inquisitive.

Get ready to defend your choice. If you are not the only person on the selection committee, you must be prepared to speak up on your choice of candidate. Back up your reasoning with any notes you made during the interview that emphasize the candidate's strengths and achievements as well as what they can able to bring to your company.

Institute a "buddy system" in the interview room. Have a colleague sit in on the interview as a listener and a note taker, so that you can get their opinion of the candidate as well as feedback on what they think your strengths are in terms of interviewing style and process. If the opportunity presents itself, sit in to observe others' interviews so that you can pick up tips from the way they conduct themselves.

Get as much practice as possible. You can't expect to become an expert interviewer overnight, but you can improve with time and especially with practice. Consistently apply what works at every interview you attend and discard any practices that don't help you further your purpose of determining the candidate's fit and motivation.

-- With reporting by Barbara Chabai

John McFerran, PhD, F. CHRP, is founder and president of People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com.

RESEARCH:

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers/tips/919/being-a-good-interviewer

http://betterhiringtoday.com/2009/02/18/five-ways-to-become-a-better-interviewer/

http://www.adlerconcepts.com/resources/column/performance_profiles/being_a_good_interviewer_is_mo.php

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 20, 2010 I2