Too many businesses try to assess capability, sell the role, discuss salary, and make a hiring decision all in one conversation. The result is two polished sales pitches instead of an honest discussion about whether both sides are actually the right fit.

In this episode, I explain why I've stopped calling the first meeting an interview and started calling it an alignment discussion.

• Why trying to achieve too much in the first interview increases hiring risk
• The three areas of alignment every hiring manager should explore before discussing salary or benefits
• Better questions that uncover expectations, motivation, and long-term fit
• A simple framework you can use to make better hiring decisions from the very first conversation

Alignment is what gives both the business and the candidate the best chance of succeeding.

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