Conducting an interview is an important part of the recruitment process. The questions that one asks is imperative to the type of employees they will hire and, ultimately, the reputation of their organization. Asking overused or typical questions is not always the most effective approach. Every question has specific goals and intentions to understand more about the candidate. Although some may be perceived as “trick questions” the goal is to learn more about the candidate on a professional and personal level. What are the best questions to ask?
1. In which type of work environment do you communicate most effectively? This is a sure way to know if the needs of the candidate match the needs of your organization. A candidate who thrives in a fast-paced work environment may not be ideal for a slow-paced administrative position. Additionally, this gives the candidate more insight into the job itself.
2. What is your biggest weakness? Although this is the ultimate “trick question” it is a great way to distinguish candidates who can carry themselves well and market themselves in a positive way from those who answer by claiming they are the world’s biggest perfectionist.
3. Tell me about a time where you overcame an obstacle at work. How did you handle this situation? Not only are you gaining keen insight into how well the employee has done their job int he past, but you are able to better assess how adept the candidate is at overcoming difficult challenges.
4. Tell me about a time when you did not get along with a co-worker. This question is a great way of assessing a certain level of integrity. In the work place, candidates will inevitably have to work with someone that they don’t particularly care for. Being open and honest about the situation assures you of the type of person you are hiring, and understanding how they deal with conflict is even more imperative.
5. Why do you want to work for our company? If nothing else, you can now get more of a feel of the candidate’s capabilities to express enthusiasm and communicate how much they want the position. An enthusiastic employee is usually synonymous with a great work ethic.