Utilizing Topgrading Interviews for Corporate Hiring
When hiring for management roles, there is no room for mistakes.
Topgrading interviews allow employers to get a holistic picture of each candidate by asking specific questions about their past experience and accomplishments. We have been using Topgrading for over a decade with huge success.
Let’s explore how Topgrading interviews can help you find the perfect hire.
What is Topgrading?
Topgrading is designed to assist employers in hiring only A players, and focuses on getting the answers to two key questions: “Does this candidate have the skills and experience required for the job?” and, “Will they be successful in this role?”.
It relies on an extensive and holistic interview process that includes multiple interviewers, typically lasting 90 minutes or more per session.
The interviewer focuses on the candidate’s job history including specific details such as, who their manager was, what were their successes and failures, their main strength and weaknesses, and other areas relevant to the position being filled.
References are also checked very thoroughly with very structured questions.
As part of top grading interviews, we alert the candidate to the reference-checking process early on.
This is a key part of getting real answers from candidates and is designed to give employers an accurate picture of each potential employee’s work history, achievements and experience.
How do I use Topgrading interviews?
To use Topgrading effectively, the process starts even before the interview, by getting a clear job description and job scorecard to compare candidates with.
Also, employers should start by setting up a timeline for when they want to begin/end the process and how many people they need to interview before making a decision. Then schedule this time in advance!
During each interview, ask detailed questions about each candidate’s work history and accomplishments to get an accurate picture of their qualifications and suitability for the position.
After all the interviews are completed, take time to review all your notes from each session to score each candidate before your team makes the final decision on who to reference check.
It’s also important that employers develop an action plan, based on the interview and references, for onboarding and set expectations so that everyone knows what is expected of them during their first few months on the job.
This helps ensure that your new hire will hit the ground running—and be successful from day one.
Topgrading interviews can be an invaluable tool during your hiring process. Utilizing the “look backward” approach yields far more information than traditional interviews.
If done properly and consistently, Topgrading interviews will provide you with the insights necessary to make the best hire for your team!
