Interviews are a two-way street. Candidates generated from a recruitment firm come in intending to impress the interviewer, but in the same vein, they’re doing all they can to determine if the company is a good fit for them. This is even more crucial with interviews further into the hiring process, such as a follow-up interview. So whether it’s the first interview or the fourth, if you’re meeting with someone you believe could be a great fit for your company, how do you communicate that to them and present your business in the best way possible? Try the following tactics to ensure you’re presenting the right image.

• Treat them as if they were a client or customer. Have a member of your Human Resources team ready to greet them, ask if they want water, and make them comfortable prior to the interview. If it’s the first interview and you didn’t have such foresight, see the candidate out yourself at the end and thank them for coming in.
• Ask if there are any questions and do your best to answer them. Make it clear that not only are you there to get to know them, you’re there to introduce yourself and your business to them, as well. Make them comfortable by addressing any questions or concerns they have openly.
• Take them on a tour. Candidates only generally see the reception area and the room you interview in, so to make them more comfortable around the office and help them envision themselves there, take them on a tour. Doing so will show that you’re making an effort to give them a full-scope view of the company for their decision-making.
• Introduce them to others. If you’re seriously considering hiring a candidate, introduce them to the rest of the team to see how they mesh and give them an idea of who they’ll be working with. This is a courtesy that not many job seekers are afforded, and providing it will make you—and your company—stand out.
• Present your brand. Every company should take steps to building their brand, and if you’ve put effort into your own, you should be proud to show it off! Whether talking about the community service your firm participates in or the awards it has received, be sure to communicate to the candidate exactly what it is that makes your company unique.
• Follow up. Chances are, a good candidate is going to contact you to say thank you after you meet. Be prompt in your response, and you’ll be sure to put forth a respectful and trustworthy image. Many employers take too long to respond or never do at all, and while it could be time consuming to respond to every email from every candidate, it’s important to show that you value their time just as much as they value yours.
• Be friendly—even if you change your mind. It may very well be that you decide a candidate is not quite the fit you thought they were, but courtesy shouldn’t end there. Word gets around quickly in today’s job market, so whether the candidate you’re speaking with is the first or last in your consideration for the job, be friendly and courteous. At the very least, you’ll send someone out with a good impression, and your company will have a better reputation for it.