How to Interview Technical Staff

Interviewing and hiring new technical support staff for your organization does not have to be a difficult task as long as you prepare yourself. Remember, the job candidate is probably more nervous about the interview than you are. If you have the right questions and she has the right answers, you'll both come out of the interview as winners.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Do your homework. Know exactly what the job description is for the tech job. If you are not conversant in "techno-speak," you'll either need to brush up on technical terms or bring someone into the interview that does.
2. Compile a set of interview questions. This will help you compare different job candidates. Don't be afraid to leave the script, but do try to ask the same questions of all interviewees.
3. Look for someone who has the competencies to perform your technical job. Obviously you want to hire someone who knows what he is doing.
4. Communicate to your interviewee that you are looking for someone who can relate in non-technical terms to all staff members. In day-to-day office operations, this ability to communicate will save a lot of frustration on your end as well as for the technical staff member. Prepare questions from situations that might arise.
5. Determine if this person will fit into your organization. You are looking for a professional technical person, not someone waiting for the next party.
6. Identify unique characteristics of the interviewee that makes her stand out as the best candidate for the job. Whether it's a combination of competencies, personality or uniqueness, you'll know when you have found the right person for the job.