How to Interview Applicants Effectively

Many people feel nervous when they are preparing to be interviewed but it is often forgotten that the interviewer has plenty of preparation to do as well. If anything they have more responsibility because it is up to them to make the interview run smoothly. Here are some simple steps to planning a successful interview:

Step 1: Work Out What You Are Looking For

Decide what personal and professional characteristics your ideal candidate would have. Professional characteristics refer to qualifications and experience. Many large companies such as KPMG want graduates but do not mind what subject the graduate studied. However you might want an IT graduate if the role is very technical or an arts graduate if the role requires lots of writing. Personal characteristics mean the type of personality your ideal candidate would have. Does the candidate need to be confident and chatty or quiet and determined, for example?

Step 2: Pick Candidates to Interview

A large pile of CVs can be tiresome to look through but take your time to study all of them. Most candidates will list their skills but many will forget to provide examples of them. Which CVs show solid evidence of teamwork and initiative? Those are the most worthwhile people.

The covering letter is just as important as the CV. Remove candidates who have included spelling errors - this is not a sign of their spelling abilities; it shows a lack of attention to detail. Which candidates have researched the company? Some applicants will mention recent news related to your company; this is their way of telling you that they are truly interested in your business and not just sending the same application to everybody.

Step 3: Prepare the Interview Room
The interview room shows each candidate the quality of your business and why they should want to work for you. Some interviewees will not get the job but may end up working for a company whom you want to build a relationship with in future; everybody’s perception is important.

Paint a light tone on the walls such as magnolia which is neutral but warm. Invest in a good make of furniture such as Tetrad because the quality of the furniture should reflect the quality of your company. Tetrad sofas look beautiful and are a very comfortable seat for waiting candidates. Tetrad furniture stands out because it is hand-crafted and has delicate detail. Investing in Tetrad is worthwhile because you will have a world-renowned brand in the office for years.

Step 4: Plan Questions to Ask

Every interview needs to have a structure so it important to prepare one in advance. Before the interview begins think of a list of 10-20 questions with the most important ones at the top. You will not get through all of them but each interview should last at least 30 minutes so if you have some spare questions there should not be any awkward silences.

Step 5: Make the Candidate Relax
Begin with questions that will encourage the candidate to relax such as asking about their hobbies or what they do at the weekends. If interviewees are too nervous then it is very difficult to judge them so keep smiling and nodding and ignore any stuttering or signs of nerves. Do not interrupt their answers; a good measure of how well you’ve interviewed is to check that the candidate has spoken more than you.

Step 6: Move onto more complex questions

As the interview progresses ask what they know about the business. This will help you to distinguish who has truly done their research from those who just want a job from anyone.
With experience you will learn how to probe candidates; after hearing an answer you can ask for further details about that answer.

Step 7: Reach a Conclusion
Sometimes it is very difficult to choose between 2 candidates particularly if they are very similar. A second interview is a good way to ask more detailed and practical questions such as when they can work and whether they would be available for overtime. A cheaper alternative is a phone interview. Finally, you choose somebody!

How to Choose a Carpet

At Kings Interiors we are passionate about the quality of our products and are proud to stock a superb selection of carpets from leading brands including Westex, Brintons, Cormar and Manx. Whether you need to replace your stair carpet, update your living room carpet, or fully re-carpet your whole house, Kings Interiors will have the carpet for you. 

Choosing the right carpet can be difficult, so at Kings Interiors we can provide advice and guidance so that you make the correct decision. You can be confident that you’re getting the best price too, we buy ranges from the leading brands in bulk so can bring you the most competitive prices around. We’ve also got a continuously changing selection of carpet remnants available, where you can save up to 50% on the original price.   

 

So now you know where to come for all your carpet needs, here are some points to consider when choosing your carpet. Don’t forget that the experienced team at Kings Interiors will be more than happy to provide a wealth of information as well.

TYPES OF CARPET

• Twist Pile Carpet – Made of tightly twisted tufts which make a slightly textured, low pile.  Available in wool or man-made fibres. Low pile is less prone to shading and flattening.
• Velvet Pile Carpet - Luxurious, smooth and soft, quite similar to twist piles.
• Wool Loop Pile Carpet – Made of tufts which are produced in loops and left uncut. Makes an extremely hard wearing carpet which is easy to clean.
• Saxony Carpet – Fibres are twisted tightly together then straightened with heat to product a carpet similar to velvet but not as smooth.  They have a luxurious deep pile but are prone to holding foot marks.
• Patterned Carpet – Smooth surface which is durable and resilient and suitable for areas with high foot traffic.
• Sisal, Seagrass & Coir – Natural flooring which can be expensive but is really hardwearing.

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Carpet can provide warmth and insulation, ideal for family rooms and bedrooms, and will contribute towards energy efficiency as well as absorbing noise from foot traffic. 

• Stairs and hallways are areas of heavy foot traffic so should be carpeted with a durable carpet option.
• Dining room carpet may not need to be incredibly hard wearing, but it may be wise to opt for a carpet resilient to stains.
• Many people prefer living room carpets to be luxurious, but you may want to consider how durable this may be.
• When you purchase a new carpet, new underlay is a must. It will prolong the life of your carpet and enhance its appearance.
• Patterned carpet can act as a focal point but may make small rooms look even smaller.
• Plain carpet offers a greater degree of design flexibility but can make a large room look empty and any stains will be harder to disguise.

Our website is a great place to start for carpet inspiration, or visit our showroom to see our full range of high quality carpets.  Please contact us for more information.

Duresta Upholstery

Duresta at Kings Interiors

Duresta upholstery has been designing and manufacturing bespoke upholstered furniture for over 74 years from their base in Long Eaton, Nottingham. At the heart of every design is a sense of traditional English style, creating sofas and chairs synonymous with understated elegance and classic style. Duresta furniture is extremely well made from quality materials and above all, is superbly comfortable and durable. 

From start to finish, every piece of Duresta furniture is can be made to your exact specification by expert furniture makers. Skilled frame makers construct the frame from a selection of hardwoods which are dowelled, glued and screwed by hand. After selecting your fabric, whether it be real leather, a rich velvet, natural linen or textured stripe,  Duresta’s highly accomplished cutters and seamstresses will produce a pattern matched and hand sewn cover to complete your piece of furniture, all finished to the highest standards.

Each piece of furniture can be fully customised to suit your individual taste. Whether you want matching scatter cushions, contrast or self piped seams, wooden legs and castors or a hand sewn balance, you can create a sofa or chair unique to you and your home.

Classic Collection 

 Popular models include the Trafalgar and Hornblower which evoke the elegance of ‘English Country House’ style with their graceful silhouette, finials, solid wood legs and antique castors.  Selected designs have been endorsed by The National Trust and are based on traditional English heritage styles and fabrics, and the parks and woodlands that the National Trust cares for. These styles will sit beautifully alongside other furniture which is equally as formal, as well as with more relaxed and simple items.

International Collection 

For more eclectic tastes the International range includes embellished and luxurious models like the Wolfgang, Kubla Khan and Beowulf, inspired by the opulence of the Far East. As will all Duresta upholstery, these pieces are made to your specification so you can create your perfect sofa right down to the wood finish and seat filling.

 

At Kings we have a dedicated Duresta showroom at our Beeston store where you can browse through the selection of luxury handmade sofas and chairs. In addition, we can offer you the best prices in the UK on all Duresta International models. 

For more information about the stunning range of Duresta Upholstery please contact the team at Kings and we will be happy to give advice or answer any questions you may have.