Be someone people want to work with

You’re about 10 minutes into an interview, and it’s already clear: this candidate isn’t the right fit. Maybe their technical skills aren’t there, or they just wouldn’t thrive in the role. Whatever the reason, you’ve made your decision.

What you do next says everything about your company.

You might be tempted to check out. Start replying to Slack messages. Go through the motions, rush through the last questions, end the interview early. After all, your time is valuable. Why waste it?

But here’s the thing: the rest of the interview isn’t wasted time. It’s an opportunity!

Once you’ve made your decision, the goal of the remaining time should shift completely: give that person a genuine, positive experience with your company. Share your company’s mission and what makes this team special. Show some energy. Why are you excited to get up every morning and come to work? Share your passion.

Let them walk away thinking, “Well, I didn’t get the job, but that company is doing something incredible!” The candidate might leave disappointed, but they’ll also leave knowing what your company stands for.

On the other hand, if they catch you mentally checking out during the interview, that leaves a mark too - just not the kind you want.

People talk. If you treat them with respect and kindness, they’ll tell their friends. They’ll talk about how great your team was, how inspired they felt, how passionate you were. And when your company name comes up in conversation six months from now, they’ll beam with positivity.

And who knows, maybe in a year or two after they’ve grown & gained experience, and as your company has grown & changes, perhaps they will be the perfect fit for some new role. Life is a multi-turn game.

The best companies know that candidate experience matters. Not just for the ones you hire, but for every single person who interacts with your team. Especially in our tech community, your reputation is your brand.

So here’s a simple rule: be someone people want to work with. That goodwill compounds and will pay dividends over your team building journey.