Previously, I wrote about the topics of Recruitment, which play an important role to gather a pool of candidates for a particular job. The next important step is to find out, if the potential candidate has the right mixture of KSA's (knowledge, skills and attitude/abilities) which exactly match with the job description. 

These simple tips would help you to hire the best candidate(s), which would be a valuable resource for your firm. 

1. Identify your needs

You have to identify your needs. Clarify your self, why do you need a person for this position. It is always a good option to publish the job description in the job advertisement and also communicate to the candidates well in advance. Identify the skills that are requisites and having prime importance for the incumbent to perform the job. Identify those skills, which are not required but could help the incumbent in the next 1-2 years.

2. Be Realistic and Reasonable

Don't expect that the employee, you are going to hire would be in your firm for the next ten to twenty years. This era which is based on professionalism,  people are more loyal with their profession rather than the firm. Don't expect that high salary would encourage a high motivation in the potential incumbent. Money play a role for a while but not for a long term. So before going for hiring a candidate, you have to consider that perks and privileges you are offering to the incumbent is according to the skills and abilities or otherwise. 

3. Evaluate the Personality

Perhaps evaluation of personality is more important than the evaluation skills. You need a team player in your firm, who can coordinate with other team members to achieve the objectives of the whole firm rather than some lonely wolf, who just want to achieve only his personal or professional objective.  It is always better to go for the detailed background check. You don't need to rely only on the references, you could always find your own resource persons, who could give you the honest opinion. 

Don't just rely on a single interview session lasts for 20-25 minutes. You could not evaluate a person in a small session therefore, it is always wise to go for multiple interview sessions. If you have not evaluated the technical skills by arranging a formal test then arrange at least two interviews, one focuses on the evaluation of skills while other on the professional side. Don't go unprepared for the interviews, always prepared before hand. It is always good to have an evaluation form in order to evaluate different aspects of the interviewee. Always start the interview from light conversation and allow the candidate to settle. Give time to the candidate at the end of the interview for questions. Be open to answer the questions asked by the candidate in a polite manner. 

5. Don't Hurry

After interview, don't just decided at once. Consider all the factors like notice period, arrears to be paid in the previous firms, joining period, etc. After keeping in consideration all these factors, arrange a list of candidate w.r.t their suitability for the job. 

6. Offer the best

There's no worse feeling than when you're in an interview and the interviewer asks you a question to which you don't know the answer.

The best way to handle this dreaded debacle is to go into the interview prepared. Familiarize yourself with a few common difficult questions and arm yourself with answers prepared ahead of time.

Check out these tough interview questions and some suggested responses in order to avoid an interview disaster:

Tough question No. 1: "Tell me about yourself."

This is usually the opening question in an interview and it's the perfect moment for you to toot your own horn -- not to tell your life history. Your answers should be a quick rundown of your qualifications and experience. Talk about your education, work history, recent career experience and future goals.

Suggested answer: "I graduated from University X and since then, I have been working in public relations with an agency where I have generated millions of PR hits for my clients. While I've enjoyed working on the agency side, I'm looking to expand my horizons and start doing PR for corporate companies such as this one."

This is your chance to talk about your experience and your career goals, not to badmouth a former boss or give a laundry list of reasons for your exit. Instead, focus on what you learned in your previous position and how you are ready to use those skills in a new position.

Tough question No. 2: "Why did you leave your last job?"

Suggested answer: "The company just wasn't a good fit for my creativity, but I learned that organizations have distinct personalities just like people do. Now I know where I'll be a better fit."

Tough question No. 3: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Let the employer know that you're stable and you want to be with this company for the long haul. Keep your aspirations to take over the firm with which you are interviewing, own your own company, retire at 40 or be married with five children to yourself.

Suggested answer: "I want to secure a civil engineering position with a national firm that concentrates on retail development. Ideally, I would like to work for a young company, such as this one, so I can get in on the ground floor and take advantage of all the opportunities a growing firm has to offer."

Tough question No. 4: "What are your weaknesses?"

The key to answering this age-old question is not to respond literally. Your future employer most likely won't care if your weak spot is that you can't cook, nor do they want to hear the generic responses, like you're "too detail oriented" or "work too hard."

Respond to this query by identifying areas in your work where you can improve and figure out how they can be assets to a future employer. If you didn't have the opportunity to develop certain skills at your previous job, explain how eager you are to gain that skill in a new position.

Suggested answer: "In my last position, I wasn't able to develop my public-speaking skills. I'd really like to be able to work in a place that will help me get better at giving presentations and talking in front of others."

Tough question No. 5: "Why were you laid off?"

This question will become more common as the economy continues to slow down. It's a tough question, however, especially because many workers aren't told exactly why they were laid off. The best way to tackle this question is to answer as honestly as possible.

Suggested answer: "As I'm sure you're aware, the economy is tough right now and my company felt the effects of it. I was part of a large staff reduction and that's really all I know. I am confident, however, that it had nothing to do with my job performance, as exemplified by my accomplishments. For example..."

Tough question No. 6: "Tell me about the worst boss you ever had."

Never, ever talk badly about your past bosses. A potential boss will anticipate that you'll talk about him or her in the same manner somewhere down the line.

Suggested answer: "While none of my past bosses were awful, there are some who taught me more than others did. I've definitely learned what types of management styles I work with the best."

Tough question No. 7: "How would others describe you?"

You should always be asking for feedback from your colleagues and supervisors in order to gauge your performance; this way, you can honestly answer the question based on their comments. Keep track of the feedback to be able to give to an employer, if asked. Doing so will also help you identify strengths and weaknesses.

Suggested answer: "My former colleagues have said that I'm easy to do business with and that I always hit the ground running with new projects. I have more specific feedback with me, if you'd like to take a look at it."

Tough question No. 8: "What can you offer me that another person can't?"

This is when you talk about your record of getting things done. Go into specifics from your résumé and portfolio; show an employer your value and how you'd be an asset.

Suggested answer: "I'm the best person for the job. I know there are other candidates who could fill this position, but my passion for excellence sets me apart from the pack. I am committed to always producing the best results. For example..."

Tough question No. 9: "If you could choose any company to work for, where would you go?"

Never say that you would choose any company other than the one where you are interviewing. Talk about the job and the company for which you are being interviewed.

Suggested answer: "I wouldn't have applied for this position if I didn't sincerely want to work with your organization." Continue with specific examples of why you respect the company with which you are interviewing and why you'll be a good fit.

Tough question No. 10: "Would you be willing to take a salary cut?"

Salary is a delicate topic. In today's tough economy though, how much a company can afford to pay you might be the deal breaker in whether or not you are offered a position.