Monday, March 25, 2024

Great Questions To Ask Candidates In An Interview

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If Hired What Would You Do In The First 30

Top 10 Questions YOU Want To Ask In a Job Interview | Indeed Career Tips

This is a good question to ask to get a sense of how well the candidate understands the responsibilities of a manager.

The successful candidate will explain what they need to get started and what parts of the company they would need to get familiar with. They might even give a specific example of where they would start .

In the end, you, the interviewer, might do things differently and the candidate, if hired, might as well but being prepared to answer this question reveals that the prospective manager knows your business, knows their job, is able to get to work on day one, and is excited to start.

What’s The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned From A Peer And How Have You Used That Lesson In Your Day

This one comes from Dan Slate, Director of Product Management at Wealthfront. Im looking for a candidates ability to identify superpowers in those around them that they want to improve upon themselves, he says.

I like this question because it allows me to assess their self-reflection and growth mindset. Depending on the answer they provide, it can also be a good window into how humble they are.

Find A Way To Give The Candidate Feedback In The Interview

This one is less question, more targeted tactic, but its such valuable interview advice for hiring managers that we had to include it here. It was suggested by Nicky Goulimis, co-founder and COO of .

In every interview, I try to find a way to give a candidate constructive feedback and see how they react, she says. How we navigate tough conversations is critical for how well be able to work together in the future, so its important to test.

Its always unique to the candidate, so its hard to give one-size-fits all advice, but here are two tactics she relies on to create an opening for a constructive feedback opportunity:

Feedback on the exercise: Our business interview process typically involves a take-home that we have candidates present, says Goulimis. We always applaud the candidate at the end to share our appreciation, but then everyone on the interview panel goes around sharing feedback, both positive and constructive. Its incredibly instructive to see a candidate internalize that feedback and respond to it in the moment.

Feedback on their potential fit: I also share constructive feedback when debriefing with candidates. I talk openly about whats really exciting to me and where I still have question marks, she says. In addition to demonstrating my commitment to transparency, it also offers them an opportunity to react to or address those areas while theyre still being considered.

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What Made You Excited To Get Up And Come To Work At Your Last Job

Its true that many people dislike their jobs. For the companies that want to have the best culture and employer brand, however, its important that employees are emotionally invested in coming to work. No doubt you have many employees for whom this is the case, but your goal should be to swell their ranks!

Explore why candidates found their last role exciting and what motivated them to keep digging deep when things were tricky. If they didnt find their last role stimulating, find out why.

Are they likely to find work at your company interesting? This is more important than you think. It can be a great motivator for those late nights and lengthy projects.

Unique And Weird Interview Questions To Ask Candidates

These Two Interview Questions Accurately Predict Job Success

Every company is different, so its only right for companies to have interview questions that are as unique as well.

Unique interview questions can test a candidates ability to go with the flow or fit in well with a team, but each interview question still needs to have a purpose beyond just having fun.

Before you see examples of weird and unique interview questions, lets cover how these kinds of questions are best used in the interview and how these questions should not be used.

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What Makes You A Qualified Candidate For This Role

Candidates who feel confident in their abilities and qualifications tend to stand out during interviews. Hiring managers may ask this question to learn why a candidate thinks they are the right person for the job. Solid responses to this question may include specific details and examples of a candidate’s previous professional experience and background.

Example:”I am qualified for this position as the art director because of my extensive background in art and design. After graduating with two bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and marketing, I entered this profession as a graphic designer. During my three-year career as a graphic designer, I refined my design skills and got promoted to junior art director. While working in that role for two years, I learned how to work directly with clients to develop their artistic vision. With both of these experiences, I am ready to take on more responsibilities and lead a team of creatives.”

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years

To succeed and prosper, companies need ambitious new hires who want to drive the business forward, and this question lets you separate those people from the rest of the pack.

Interview questions like this should make it easy to differentiate between candidates that have given career progression at your company serious thought, and everyone else. Its also a great chance for the candidate to outline the role that they really want within your company now you know what theyre working towards.

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What Are Your Salary Expectations

At this point in the interview process, the candidate shouldnt answer with a specific number. Rather, you want to hear that the individual is focused on finding the best fit for their skills and abilities.

Talking dollars should come at the end of the face-to-face interview or even in a second interview if thats what it takes.

This kind of trick question can tell you a lot about whether the candidate is right for your company.

How Long Does It Take To Prepare For A Competency

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The amount of time you need to prepare for a competency-based interview depends on the specific job and company youre interviewing with. However, its generally a good idea to do some research on the company and the role in advance, and to practice your answers to common interview questions. You should also take some time to think about your strengths and how they relate to the job youre applying for. Preparing in advance will help you feel more confident and relaxed during the actual interview.

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Tell Me About The Relationships Youve Had With The People Youve Worked With

Some candidates may not work much with their coworkers. Some may develop strong working relationships. Some may form friendships with their coworkers. Finding out what kinds of relationships they tend to have with the people they work with will give you some idea as to whether they will fit in with your work culture.

Why Should We Hire You

This stands apart from other great interview questions because it asks job candidates to define what sets them apart from the intense competition in the job market. Look for candidates who understand their unique strengths and arent simply trying to tell you what they think you want to hear.

Faced with a big stack of resumes telling a similar story, this question helps you determine the best candidate. An interviewee who does a great job explaining how their unique experience, education, industry credentials, and personal interests will power your business will do the same thing for your company once hired.

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What Is Your Definition Of Hard Work

This question can help you determine what their work ethic is like, as well as whether theyll be a good fit for the general pace of your company. Keep in mind that hard work doesnt necessarily mean working a lot. Hard work is about doing things the right way. Its about being willing to put in the work needed to find the best solution.

Creative Questions To Ask About The Culture

Second Interview Questions To Ask Candidates

You dont want to end up at a workplace where all socialization happens at happy hour if you dont drink or you need to get home to your kids, or where everyone is focused solely on their own work if you thrive in a collaborative environment, for example. So make sure you ask about whats important to you when it comes to company culture.

  • How would you describe the work environment hereis the work typically more collaborative or more independent?
  • How does the team form and maintain strong bonds?
  • Can you tell me about the last company event you did together?
  • Whats your favorite office tradition?
  • What do you and the team usually do for lunch?
  • Does anyone at the company or on this team hang out outside the office?
  • Do you ever do joint events with other companies or departments?
  • Whats different about working here than anywhere else youve worked?
  • How has the company changed since you joined?
  • How has the organization overcome challenges with remote work?
  • How does the company make sure that remote and hybrid employees are given the same opportunities and standards as in-office employees?

Regina Borsellino also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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What Made You Want To Apply For This Position

This is one of the best interview questions to ask because it delves into specifics about the job role. It shows how carefully the candidate read the job description, and also gives them the chance to share why they feel theyd be a good addition to your team. A well-crafted answer will touch on skills the applicant has as well as skills they want to develop or improve.

The 25 Best Interview Questions

How many golf balls can you fit in a limousine? Who would win in a fight between Batman and Superman? Whos your favorite Disney Princess? Some of todays hiring managers rely on some pretty unconventional questions to identify top talent.

While these examples may be a little wacky, it does pay to be a little creative when youre speaking to applicants, as you need to dig deep in order to determine skill, cultural fit, and levels of intelligence.

With this in mind, weve put together a collection of 25 top interview questions that will show you whether any candidate is a fit for your organization.

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How Would You Describe Your Current Boss

Are they a mentor? Do they have a good relationship with their supervisor? Or is the manager the reason why they are looking to talk to a recruiter or hiring manager?

Learn how the employee conducts themselves with regard to prior employers.

Poor answers would look like this:

I’m not a big fan of my current manager. They don’t motivate me. It seems like the work is always behind. And it’s something that I want to move away from.

What Do You Believe You Can Achieve With Us Personally Or Professionally That You Can’t Anywhere Else In The World

17 GREAT QUESTIONS to ask in a JOB INTERVIEW!

Shiva Rajaraman typically asks this question at the tail-end of an interview cycle.

I like it because candidates reveal their individual motivations, creativity, and commitment to our mission all in one response, says Rajaraman. Often, they haven’t really thought about our company or capabilities deeply. The answers here can be revealing as to whether we are truly the best fit. It also helps cement that we are a special place for the person to thrive. Most importantly, if a candidate is able to articulate her ambitions and how we can help her achieve them, we are one step closer to closing her.

Questions about why someone wants to work here and take on this particular role may seem routine, but theyre incredibly important. Often, candidates are fleeing something else and haven’t thought deeply about what they want next.

As the Corporate Communications Manager at Looker, a company thats put tremendous thought and care into bringing new people on board, Tamara Ford John similarly recommends digging into what makes candidates passionate about the specific opportunity in front of them. I always ask candidates, Why do you want to work here? Why do you feel you will be good at this position? she says.

I’ve found that the specifics of why someone is drawn to your company and believes theyll succeed in a given role are often overlooked. Its incredible how many times Ive seen people fall down when it comes to answering these questions in interviews.

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Tell Me About A Time You Set Difficult Goals

Ideally, its best to hire someone who has set difficult goals for themselves before. Someone who sets difficult goals is usually the ambitious sort. Even if they didnt necessarily reach their goals, its a good sign. But theres a difference between challenging goals and impossible goals. If the goals they describe were impossible, it might mean that they are not realistic about their abilities.

How Do You Resolve Situations With Difficult Clients

Difficult clients are part of any business, particularly fields such as customer service and sales. Clients can place unrealistic demands, refuse to listen and even become rude, but its important to remain professional no matter what. Being able to resolve situations with difficult clients is an important skill in itself that indicates professionalism, grace and patience. Example Answer:For me, the first step in dealing with a difficult client is getting on the same page. When things dont go a persons way, they often assume youre malicious and become defensive. Of course, this isnt the case, and my first priority is proving this. Once I reassure a difficult client that their success is also in my best interest, it always becomes easier to resolve their problem.

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If I Were To Go And Speak To People Who Don’t Think Very Highly Of You What Would They Say

This question is clearly designed to probe the depths of a candidates self-awareness. But Gabriel Otte is also hunting for another quality: empathy.

Self-awareness isnt just about understanding your own shortcomings. Develop empathy for the people who dislike you otherwise youll get caught up in justifications and evasions that make it tough to truly internalize the criticism.

When I pose this question to candidates, Im always looking to see how much empathy they have for the people who dont like them, says Otte, the co-founder and CEO of Freenome . Do they evade or try to justify why people might not like them? Or are they in denial and think no one dislikes them?

Describe How To Make A Paper Plane With Just Words

12 of the Best Job Interview Questions to Ask Local Government ...

Though not technically a question, this instruction reveals how well acandidate can describe just about anything to either a fellow professional or a layman. This is a skill that also comes in handy for sales executives and installers of our products.

When answering this question, a candidate must display the ability to explain complex procedures using simple sentences.

Joe Flanagan is the Lead Project Engineer and hiring manager at Tacuna Systems.

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What Would Your First 30 60 Or 90 Days Look Like In This Role

The goal for every new hire should be to hit the ground running. The best answers will be well thought out.

Before diving in, top candidates will talk through the things that theyll require to get ramped up. In the first 30 days, theyll need to familiarize themselves with your process, sit down with key employees and stakeholders, and get acclimated to their new surroundings.

60-90 days should give them time to make key contributions in a number of different areas and bring at least one major initiative through to fruition. This is a pretty complex question, so feel free to break it up into 3 separate questions if you prefer.

Teamwork Behavioral Interview Questions

1. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult coworker. How were you able to handle interactions with that person?

2. Give an example of when you needed information from a coworker who wasnt responsive? What did you do?

3. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team on a project. Explain your role within the team and the actions you took to contribute to the team.

4. Talk about a situation when your team members disagreed with you. How did you handle it?

5. Can you tell me about a time when a coworker was not doing their work on a difficult project? What did you do?

6. Describe a time when you and your team members were forced to compromise. Explain the results.

7. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to motivate others to take action to support a major reorganization? How did you handle that?

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What Are The Top Questions To Ask An Interviewer

Be prepared to answer questions about the expectations and duties involved, as well as the company culture, day-to-day experience, and room for advancement. Have an idea of the salary and benefits offered and know whether you will be able to discuss compensation at this stage of the interview process.

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