Interviews allow employers and potential employees to get to know each other. Interviews may take a serious, grilling tone or be very laid-back and conversational. Of course, some applicants may sound very impressive during an interview and disappoint once on the job. Other applicants may be very nervous in an interview and miss their opportunity to shine. This is why it's always good to combine an interview with a practical test.
Practical tests require the applicants to perform one or more of the required skills.
They may be asked to operate a piece of machinery, sort through a pen of steers, or load sacks of feed onto a trailer. A committee of other employees and farm managers should evaluate the applicant's performance on practical tests. References provided by the applicant should include past employers. Keep in mind that some employers may hesitate to provide negative information about a former employee out of fear over lawsuits. Other employers may give glowing recommendations to unsatisfactory employees they hope will leave.