4th Prediction Method = Role-Play

If applicant did well on 3rd Prediction Method, then have applicant do Role-Play immediately after In-Depth Interview. The 15 – 30 minute role-play lets you see if applicant has critical job skills. For example, have a Sales Rep applicant role-play selling. Then, assess applicant using a customized Role-Play Rating Checklist.

5th Prediction Method = Realistic Job Preview

If you decide applicant did well on 1st – 4th Prediction Methods, then do Realistic Job Preview: For RJP, applicant spends ½ - 1 day watching an employee doing job. Benefit: Applicants who received RJP are less likely to (a) accept job offer – but, if they accept, (b) turnover. Reason: The RJP assures they know what they are getting themselves into!

6th Prediction Method = 1 Executive Must Approve All Hiring

If applicant did well on 1st – 5th Prediction Methods, then one executive at your company reviews Applicant Rating Summary Form. Your company’s quick Applicant Summary Rating Form * summarizes ratings – positive, average, or negative – on 1st – 5th Prediction Methods * “forces” managers to actually use your structured hiring steps

Important: If applicant’s ratings on 1st – 5th Prediction Methods include + all positive ratings, then executive may approve hiring applicant - average or negative ratings, then executive may not allow applicant to be hired

7th Prediction Method = Reference Checks

If your company decides applicant did well on 1st – 6th Prediction Methods – plus accepts job offer – then you conduct Reference Checks. If they prove + positive, then your company keeps applicant as an employee - negative, then you take appropriate action

How Much Time Do You Need to Hire Best? Many managers moan they are time-crunched, and ask how much time these seven steps require. Two answers: 1. If an applicant does well on 1st – 7th Prediction Methods, then you invested 2 – 3 hours to hire best 2. Ask yourself: How much time – and money – did you waste when you hired average or below-average applicants? You wasted many hours – plus salary, benefits and low productivity – because you failed to invest only 2 – 3 hours to hire best!

© Copyright 2005 Michael Mercer, Ph.D.

6. Engage Participants Johnny would continue flow of conversation with his guests by asking follow-up questions or summarize what they said.

Ask additional questions to draw out important information with your meeting participants. Say following:

Tell me more about… That’s an interesting viewpoint, please explain further… If I understand what you are saying…

If there are participants that are quiet, make it safe for them to give feedback or suggestions. Say following:

“Mike, we would really like to hear your ideas on… “Jane, you look like you really want to add something important to discussion, please tell us.”

Once they make their comments say, “Thanks for your valuable comments. I look forward to you contributing more insights in future.”

7. Make Meeting Participants Stars Johnny Carson had a way of letting his guests, whether they were infamous or famous, be celebrities on Tonight Show. He allowed them to tell their jokes and witty stories, as well as complimented them, so that stars were and ultimately show was successful.

You can do same for your staff in meetings. You could dominate meeting and develop all ideas yourself. You wouldn’t accomplish much because meeting participants would have no sense of ownership and would be slow to initiate your ideas. Or you can encourage participants to contribute ideas so that they take ownership of ideas and take responsibility for implementing their ideas. Also, acknowledge and reward these “solution creators” in front of group.

Let them shine!

8. End Meeting Right Way While excusing his guests, Johnny would sincerely thank them for coming on show and compliment them on their contributions. The guests left with a good feeling and always wanted to come back again and again.

Make sure you thank meeting participants for their time and contributions. Let them know how they made a difference in meeting. If there were solutions created in meeting, communicate what is clear course of action to accomplishing those solutions. Express your confidence that you know that these solutions will be achieved.

9. Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up Johnny Carson would talk about how great a show was because of a guest. This was another way to make guests on his show feel special.

Send an e-mail to all relevant employees, whether they were in meeting or not, explaining what was covered in meeting, what was decided on in meeting, and what course of action we are taking.

Also again, acknowledge key people in meeting for their contributions.

Follow these nine techniques used by master of late night and your meetings will be outstanding.