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Dear HR Guru,
Can you give me some suggestions for conducting job interviews? This is such an important process, yet I'm not sure I'm doing it right.
Dear Employer:
The questions you ask during an interview should give you a sense of not only what the person has done, but what they are capable of doing. And don't forget that you're trying to determine how well you, other staff and your customers could work with this person, and how much value she/he will add to your company.
The future of your organization is only as good as that of your people - so remember, nobody is better than anybody!
Questions to ask:
The candidates you interview will come prepared to show you what they think you want to see, so be prepared to uncover the real scoop. Here are ten questions to get more insightful answers:
Tell me a little about yourself
This question is an easy way to start the interview because it opens up the conversation and will likely lead to further questioning. You'll get a good idea of whether of not the person is suitable for the job, as well as what she/he feels is important. You don't want to hear "I'm 25 and I have two brothers," or "there's really not much to tell." You want to hear job-appropriate information such as education, job-related experience, ambition, goals, what kind of person they are, etc.
Why are you interested in this job?
You don't want to hear about the applicant's financial situation or that they simply like the area, you want to hear her/his motivation and interest in the position.
What experience do you have that prepares you for this position?
This is where you want to hear a clear explanation of why the applicant is suitable for the position. The applicant should reflect back on past experiences and interests that related directly to the job. Even a recent university or college grad with no practical experience can emphasize pertinent qualifications by mentioning special projects and group work, etc.
What are your interests outside of work?
Again, you are looking for job-related experience and are trying to find out about any conflicts with the job. For example, you don't want to hear that the candidate is trying to set up a business on the side and needs the job to raise capital. You would want to hear that she/he is involved in a professional association and enjoys reading information on her/his line of work.
What are your greatest weaknesses?
This question will give you insight on how the person will fit in the job. For example, if a candidate tells you "I get bored easy," she/he might not be suitable for repetitive work like line assembly, etc. However, that same weakness would be a strength in a position that involves a great deal of change on a regular basis.
Most candidates will come prepared to respond to this question, so a good way to follow up is to ask: her/him to "give an example of how this weakness affected you on the job and what you did to overcome it".
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