Interviews are a big deal for candidates. While they face the interviews, the interviewer also has a huge task of assessing the candidate, whether they are a fit for the company. Hence, not just the candidates, interview panel must also have enough experience to interview the candidates.
Companies require to understand that even though the candidate is looking for a job, it’s ultimately their decision to join you. Especially for the talented graduates, there is no dearth of good openings. It’s your job to impress them by having a fruitful conversation, and not just bombarding them with bland questions.
Most interviewers lack the skills to understand their requirements from the candidates. They ask away mundane, non-realistic questions which does not portray the panel in a positive light. Young graduates these days are smart, they also assess the interviewers in their own ways, and therefore it’s important to understand the essentials of interviewing candidates.

1.    Ask relevant Questions:
It’s expected that graduates would lack the in-depth experience, still the questions should be meaningful and relate to the job role they are being hired for. Explore about their technical skills or how can they add value to your organisation. Sticking to the respective job description would help you get good candidates without wasting time and resources.

2.    Make it Interactive:
This doesn’t mean asking why they love horror films instead of comedies. This includes understanding about their ambitions, passions, additional/professional skills, and communicating sincerely. Trying to know them will help you recognise if they fit the job role or not. Keeping interview discussions interactive builds trust and respect between both the parties.

3.    Be Respectful:
Just because they are fresh out of the university, you can’t talk to them rudely, or take them for granted. They find interviews as stressful as experienced ones. They are new to this, hence keeping a respectful and open communication will get you actual responses instead of made up ones.
Learn how they deal with challenges, listen to their previous experiences and learnings, and in turn share your guidance as well.

4.    Always offer Feedback:
Since they are freshers, and possibly inexperienced with the ways of interviews, it would be kind and wise of the interviewers to offer them feedback in case of rejections. This would not embarrass the candidates. In fact, it would motivate them to do better at other interviews, and they would actually thank you afterwards.

Interviewing is a skill, and it only gets better with experience and exposure to different types of candidates. While hiring graduates, interviewers should be extra careful about the kind of age group and environment they are coming from.
They would not be at their best always, and it would be tough initially to get responsible candidates. But your wisdom, and mature way of asking questions would not only get you the best talent but improve your brand value too.