Key Dos and Don’ts for a Compliant and Effective Hiring Process
Navigating the hiring process can be challenging for employers, particularly with the complexities of equal employment legislation. Here are some tips for the job interview to avoid legal pitfalls and ensure you hire the best candidate through a fair and equitable hiring process.
- Do ensure anyone interviewing candidates is trained and knowledgeable about what can and cannot be legally asked. Be mindful of protected classes under federal, state, and municipal laws.
- Do prepare questions ahead of time.
- Do make sure interview questions are relevant to the job. Prepare questions that focus on the skills and abilities necessary.
- Do ask the same questions of all candidates.
- Do ask competency or behavioral interview questions.
- Do make the candidate feel comfortable.
- Do focus on the candidate’s abilities in relation to the requirements of the job.
- Don’t ask personal questions.
- Don’t ask questions that pertain to age, race, national origin, color, religion, marital status, gender, disability, or pregnancy.
- Don’t ask follow-up questions if a candidate reveals personal information or information related to a protected class. Steer the conversation back to the prepared questions.
- Don’t use words that imply the interviewee has the job, as this sets up an expectation.
- Do offer the candidate a chance to ask questions.
- Do use references and assessments to verify behaviors discussed in the interview.
- Do get back to candidates in a timely manner. Waiting too long between communications could mean losing the candidate to another employer.
By adhering to these guidelines, employers can conduct interviews that are not only compliant with the law but also respectful and fair to all candidates.