How to interview well and hire the best people

Hiring the right person can transform a team, but it’s not always straightforward. From preparing for interviews to making the final offer, there are plenty of steps where things can go off track. That’s why we’ve created a guide packed full of interview essentials for hiring managers, a practical resource to help you run better interviews and make confident hiring decisions.

Whether you’re hiring for a permanent, contract or temporary role, this guide walks you through the full recruitment process. It covers how to prepare, structure your interviews, ask the right questions, and evaluate candidates fairly. It also includes advice on reducing unconscious bias and improving the overall candidate experience.

Built by recruitment experts, the guide is designed to support hiring managers at every level. It’s full of real examples, useful frameworks and clear tips that you can apply straight away.

What’s in the interview guide?

• How to prepare for interviews and set clear expectations
• Tips for structuring interviews to support fairness and consistency
• Examples of competency-based interview questions and how to use them
• Advice on questions to ask in an interview as an employer to get meaningful insights
• Common unconscious bias examples and how to avoid them
• How to adapt your approach across different interview formats
• What to do after the interview to support better decision-making
• How to make offers that candidates are more likely to accept

The guide also includes advice on tailoring interviews to different types of roles, whether you’re hiring for leadership, technical skills or culture fit. You’ll find tips on how to run panel interviews, one-on-one conversations, and task-based assessments, all with the goal of helping candidates show their best.

Why use this interview guide?

Many hiring managers don’t receive formal training on how to interview. In fact 59% of managers informed us that they have not received interview training or any refresher sessions. That can lead to inconsistent processes and missed opportunities. This guide helps you avoid common mistakes and gives you a clear structure to follow.

By using a consistent approach and asking thoughtful, well-prepared questions, you’ll be able to compare candidates more effectively and make decisions based on what really matters. You’ll also create a better experience for candidates, one that reflects your team’s professionalism and values.