Hiring a new employee is a very big deal. You want to get it right the first time, so you’re working hard to compile a list of interview questions that will really help you assess candidates.
Quite frankly, this is often easier said than done, as it can be hard to know which questions will result in the most telling responses. You always need to include questions specific to the job at-hand, but the following are staples that should be used in every interview.
Five Common Interview Questions to Help You Identify All-Stars
Why do you want this job?
The person chosen for the job will obviously earn a paycheck, but that shouldn’t be their main motivator for wanting to get hired. Their response will help you understand why they think they’re a good fit for the job and what makes them a better choice than the other candidates. Essentially, you already know they’re capable of doing the job, but this gives them the opportunity to really sell their fit.
What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
For obvious reasons, candidates aren’t fond of these two questions. However, their responses can reveal a lot about both their character and fit for the job.
The best replies will smartly reveal strengths that directly relate to the position and weaknesses that are genuine, but won’t impede their performance in the role. Steer clear of anyone who boasts too many strengths or claims to have no real weaknesses, as they likely lack self-awareness.
How do you like to be managed?
You can hire a really great employee, but if their preferred management style doesn’t align with the team, they probably won’t work out. Therefore, this question is very important, because it allows you to learn what they want from a manager, so you can correctly determine their fit.
Tell me about a time you had to work in a stressful situation.
When the going gets tough, you need employees you can count on to stay calm, roll their sleeves up and get the job done.
If they have no problem guiding you through a scenario, they’re probably someone you can count on to stay calm and focused during chaos. However, if they seem uneasy and have trouble answering the question, working under pressure probably isn’t their strongpoint.
Why do you want to leave your current job?
It’s very possible the candidate is unhappy in their current position, which is why they’re looking for a new one. However, they should never tell you that. Asking this question is important, so you can find out what they have to say about their current employer.
If they say something positive — i.e., “I really enjoyed my time with the company, but feel there’s nowhere left to grow in the job.” — take this as a sign they won’t speak poorly about your organization when they’re ready to move on. On the other hand, if they say anything negative, assume they’ll one day say the same things about your company when interviewing for their next job.
Searching for the right new hire for your Lehigh Valley team? HTSS, Inc. can help you find the perfect fit. Contact us today to get started!