This sounds elementary, but in the busy everyday world, managers commonly try to wing it. Check for gaps in employment, reasons the applicant left former jobs, education, and what hours and shift the candidate seeks. Jot down key words to jog your memory as you ask questions about the application. This 5 to 10 minutes is time well spent. Make sure your human resources department checks the candidate's references and employment history.
Reference checks can validate accomplishments.
Second, remember that a thorough job description is the basis for your interview. The job description should define the skills, knowledge, and characteristics necessary to succeed in the position. Use specific action words, not vague terms, to describe the qualities you seek. You need to be very familiar with the job description. Unfortunately, a major cause of unsatisfactory hires is the interviewer not knowing what it takes to do the job.