Course Description
Effective interviewing is a critical skill for any manager involved in
hiring, regardless of HR experience. Non-HR managers play a vital role in
identifying and selecting talent that aligns with team and organizational
goals, yet many lack formal training in structured interviewing. When managers
conduct interviews effectively, organizations benefit from more accurate
candidate assessments, reduced turnover, stronger team fit, and higher overall
productivity. Conversely, poorly conducted interviews can lead to poor hires,
lower employee engagement, compliance risks, and wasted time and resources.
Structured interviews improve both consistency and fairness. By
understanding the principles behind behavioral and situational questioning,
managers can uncover a candidate’s true capabilities, potential, and cultural
fit. For example, asking candidates to describe past experiences that
demonstrate problem-solving or teamwork can reveal more about future
performance than hypothetical or general questions. Clear evaluation criteria
allow managers to objectively compare candidates, reducing the influence of
personal biases.
Legal and ethical considerations are equally crucial in the interviewing
process. Non-HR managers often underestimate the complexity of what can and
cannot be asked. Adhering to employment laws, avoiding discriminatory
questions, and applying fair assessment methods not only protects the
organization but also ensures that candidates feel respected and valued.
Incorporating these practices also strengthens employer branding, as candidates
notice and appreciate professionalism during the interview process.
Interviewing has a significant impact on engagement for both candidates and
teams. A well-conducted interview demonstrates that the organization values
talent and is committed to fair decision-making. This creates a positive
candidate experience, which is increasingly important in competitive talent
markets. Managers who communicate effectively, listen actively, and provide
structured feedback contribute to an organizational culture that prioritizes
development and growth, enhancing internal and external reputation.
Practical tools and techniques—such as designing effective interview guides,
consistently evaluating candidate responses, and leveraging peer feedback—help
non-HR managers become more confident and effective interviewers. For instance,
using scoring rubrics allows managers to assess responses systematically,
focusing on demonstrated skills rather than subjective impressions.
Additionally, practicing evaluation in collaborative settings helps managers
align their standards, ensuring fairness and consistency across multiple
interviewers.
The “Interview Training for Non-HR Managers” course offers a hands-on,
interactive experience that builds confidence in interviewing skills while
emphasizing legal, ethical, and practical best practices. Participants will
learn to structure interviews, craft practical questions, evaluate candidate
responses objectively, and design interview guides tailored to their team’s
needs.
By completing this course, non-HR managers gain not only knowledge but also actionable
skills to immediately improve their interviews. They learn how to conduct
professional, insightful, and legally compliant interviews that enhance team
performance, reduce hiring risks, and strengthen overall organizational
outcomes. This training empowers managers to make hiring decisions with clarity,
fairness, and confidence.
Course Outcomes
Understand core principles of effective interviewing, including behavioral
and situational questioning techniques.
Learn the legal and ethical guidelines to ensure compliant, fair interviews.
Gain tools to design structured interview guides tailored to specific roles
and team needs.
Develop skills for objectively evaluating candidate responses and comparing
candidates.
Build confidence in conducting interviews that are consistent, insightful,
and productive.
FAQs
Why is effective
interviewing important for non-HR managers?
Strong interviewing skills enable managers to make fair, informed hiring
decisions, thereby improving team performance and reducing turnover.
How can managers avoid bias
during interviews?
Structured questions, scoring rubrics, and consistent evaluation criteria help
managers assess candidates objectively.
What are common pitfalls in
non-HR interviews?
Lack of preparation, asking inappropriate questions, and relying solely on
subjective impressions can lead to poor hiring outcomes.
4. What will participants learn in this course?
Participants will acquire skills in structured questioning, legal compliance,
response evaluation, and designing interview guides.
How does the course apply
to real-world hiring situations?
Through hands-on exercises, role-playing, and collaborative guide creation,
managers can immediately apply techniques in actual interviews.
What skills will
participants leave with?
Managers will leave with confidence in conducting effective, compliant, and
insightful interviews, along with practical tools to enhance hiring processes.
Agenda
Lesson One: Interview Fundamentals & Legal Guidelines (10
minutes)
Participants explore the foundational principles of effective interviewing and
the legal considerations non-HR managers must follow. This lesson emphasizes
fairness, compliance, and creating a positive candidate experience.
Lesson Two: Questioning Techniques (20 minutes)
This lesson provides strategies for crafting behavioral and situational
questions that uncover skills, experience, and potential. Managers learn to
structure questions to reduce bias and reveal meaningful insights.
Lesson Three: Evaluating Candidate Responses (20 minutes)
Participants practice evaluating answers objectively, using criteria to compare
responses fairly. This session reinforces the importance of consistency, clear
scoring methods, and collaborative evaluation.
Lesson Four: Interview Best Practices & Common Pitfalls (10
minutes)
Managers explore common interview mistakes and learn best practices to avoid
them. This includes tips for active listening, maintaining professionalism, and
fostering a positive candidate experience.
Lesson Five: Designing an Interview Guide (50 minutes)
Attendees create practical, role-specific interview guides with peer
collaboration. This hands-on session ensures participants can apply course
concepts to real-world hiring situations.
Audience
Non-HR Managers – Learn to conduct structured, compelling
interviews that improve hiring outcomes for their teams.
Team Leaders – Gain tools to identify
high-performing candidates while maintaining fairness and consistency.
Project Managers – Acquire skills to evaluate
team-fit, technical capabilities, and leadership potential during interviews.
Department Heads – Understand how to align
hiring practices with organizational objectives and compliance standards.
Hiring Supervisors – Learn practical techniques
for designing interview guides and evaluating candidates objectively.
Comments
Rescheduling and Cancellations
If you need to reschedule or cancel your registration, please refer to the following policy:
• Rescheduling and Cancellations with Prior Notice: If you cancel at least fifteen (15) business days before the course begins, you will receive full credit for another session.
• Last-Minute Cancellations: Cancellations made fewer than fourteen (14) business days before the course starts will receive a 50% partial credit for a future session.
• No Shows: Participants who fail to attend without prior notice will not receive credit for future sessions, nor will a refund be issued.
• Substitution Option: If you cannot attend, you may substitute another person from your organization. Please notify us by email at least fifteen (15) business days before the course start date.