answersLogoWhite

0

You are conducting interviews of applicants for a job. You may be ahiring manager (the person that the newly hired employee is going towork for), an HR representative, or a member of an interview team.

Let'sassume that if you are a hiring manager, you know what you're lookingfor in an employee. If you're an HR rep, you have had some training andinstruction in what information to give to candidates and what you mayand may not ask them. So you will probably not need to look here forguidance. This answer is not for you.

If you are a member of an interview team, you may be left on your own. That's when this answer might help.

In that case, here are some of the things you will need:

1. A copy of the job description for the position to be filled.

2.Any instructions and guidance from the hiring manager and from HR; forexample, that they are looking for experience beyond entry level; thatthe right personality is more important than the skills, which caneasily be learned; that team fit is crucial; etc.

3. A copy ofthe job applicant's application form or resume, which you have read andabout which you have noted some key points and possible questions.

4. A list of recommended interview questions if your company wants to make sure certain things are asked.

5.A list of your own questions, which may be direct or indirect ways offinding out the things you need to know when you recommend for oragainst hiring the candidate. You may have (a) certain standardquestions you always ask; (b) questions that pertain to the specificjob opening, to find out about the candidate's background and how wellthe candidate would perform in that capacity; (c) questions based on the candidate's resume; (d) questions that bring out the candidate'spersonality; and (e) indirect questions that test a candidate's abilityto handle the kinds of things he or she may encounter in the job.

Examples of those five categories:

(a) What do you love about doing this work? What strengths do you bringto the position? I also like to ask every candidate for the same job some onepersonality question, such as "What are you reading now?" (in my line ofwork, candidates are always reading something) for an across-the-boardcomparison of types of answers.

(b) What were your primary responsibilities as a (former job title)? What willyou have to learn in order to do (this job)? What's scary about (this position)?

(c) What did (one former position) and(another former position) have in common? I like this one a lot,especially when there is not an obvious connection. If the same persondid both of those jobs, there's a possible relationship. This question oftenbrings out things the rest of the interview team didn't get.

(d) What are your big passions in life?

(e) This one depends on the job. If it's a very stressful job, I mightask a stress-producing question just to see how the candidate handlesit.

Things some people ask (but I never do):

  • Questions that test how well the candidate has done homework on your company.
  • Questions about how they see their role in the company or where they want to be in five years.
  • Questionswith superlative words (best, worst, most, least, etc.)--your greatestchallenge, worst mistake, best skill, and so on. I always phrase thosepositively but not in terms of the "most": what do you see as a challenge in this job?--not what doyou see as the greatest challenge; what is a big project you havehandled? not what is the biggest; etc. Focusing on the extremes in acategory is not really as helpful as just hearing a good example of thecategory.
  • Questions about their relationship with their past orpresent managers and coworkers; you may never get the truth, and youprobably won't know it if you do.

I almost never ask a "why" question. You will nearly always get a better answer with "what" and "how" than with "why."

Behavioralinterviews have become very popular--"Tell me about a time whenyou..."--but I don't like them myself. It's too easy to rehearse littlestories that don't reveal much. I prefer to surprise the candidate afew times without terrorizing them so I can get some honest responses.

Ialso usually wrap up with something like "What one thing would you likeme to remember from talking with you?" Interviewees usually like thatquestion and usually say that no one else has ever asked them that.

Theother thing is to take some good notes and get down a few verbatims ifyou can so that you can support your conclusions with facts when youturn in your recommendations.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Interview immigration Australia?

To prepare for the interview immigration to Australia you have to prepare all your personal document and you must be ready to answer the question asked.


How many percent to prepare documents interview at US embassy by themselves?

How many percent to prepare documents for Interview at US embassy by myself to get pass


How to prepare for a PhD interview?

To prepare for a PhD interview, research the program and faculty, practice discussing your research interests, be ready to explain your academic background and goals, and prepare questions to ask the interviewers.


How can I prepare for a text message job interview?

To prepare for a text message job interview, familiarize yourself with the company, review common interview questions, practice typing concise and professional responses, and ensure you have a quiet and distraction-free environment for the interview.


How many percent that I will pass interview at US embassy if I have a lawyer to prepare my documents?

About 90 percent of people who have lawyers prepare their documents usually pass the interview at the US embassy.


How can I prepare for my drama school interview?

to prepare for your drama school interview make sure you are prepared to do any kind of drama exercises to prove you can play most any part.


How to prepare for a PhD interview effectively?

To prepare for a PhD interview effectively, research the program thoroughly, practice discussing your research interests and goals, be ready to articulate your academic background and achievements, and prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers.


What interview question of highclare school which is on Birmingham will prepare for the students who want to study in this school?

"Why should we admit you at Highclare School ?" Is one of the interview questions to prepare the students who want to study in the school.


How should one prepare himself for a Ph.D interview on the psychoanalytical research on Shakespeare?

How does one prepare for any PhD interview? Know your subject. Know the scholarship on the subject. Understand your thesis and the arguments for it. Anticipate the arguments against your thesis and prepare counter-arguments.


Does college interview means you'll be accepted?

It doesn't mean that you will be accepted. It is just an interview. You must prepare for it well. Sometimes they might ask a written essay to be submitted while interview. If all the required documents is correct according to them, then you will get accepted. Thus prepare for it well.


How to prepare for a business analyst interview effectively?

To prepare for a business analyst interview effectively, research the company and industry, understand the role of a business analyst, practice common interview questions, showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills, and be prepared to discuss your relevant experience and accomplishments.


What questions should I prepare for a postdoc interview?

For a postdoc interview, you should prepare to discuss your research experience, future research goals, how you can contribute to the lab, your ability to work independently, and your understanding of the lab's research focus.