Even though the economy’s been a bit better, it still can be challenging to find good employees. Not only do they have to perform the job well, but they also have to fit within the company’s culture and help increase productivity and sales.
To hire the right people, it’s important to ask the right questions. Here are some that are effective:
How can you contribute to the company? Ask what their goals are for the job, not just for their career. Also find out what skills they have that would be beneficial and would help the company thrive. Their goals should match the company’s. And if they’re motivated, they’ll know how they want to fit in.
What are some examples of success and challenges you’ve had? Anyone can give good answers to general questions, but getting concrete details about what was done in the past reveals what was actually done and what a person’s potential is. Even if a project didn’t go as planned, it’s important to find out how the applicant would fix the problem in the future. Also, try to confirm what he or she said.
Test them. This is a straightforward way to see if job candidates really have the necessary skills after they’ve gone through the initial interviews. The test can be hypothetical situations or ones that have actually occurred at the company. They can demonstrate job-specific skills, and it’s also a good way to determine how effective their problem-solving skills are, too.
Here are some questions that hiring experts suggest in Bloomberg Businessweek:
Why are you here? Andrew Alexander, President of Red Roof Inn, says it helps reveal what the person’s passion is. The applicant should want to work at the company, not just want a job.
What’s your ideal job? Liz Bingham, Partner at Ernst & Young, says it helps to determine if the person is suitable for the job. It also shows what his or her passions and strengths are.
What areas of improvement were identified in your last review? Andrew Shapin, CEO of Long Tall Sally, says it reveals self-awareness and weaknesses when people answer this honestly. Contact the previous employer to verify what they say, and ask what progress was made.
What’s your passion? Hilarie Bass, Co-president of Greenberg Traurig, says they only hire people who are passionate about that profession. It helps attract committed employees that will make the business successful.
Overall, employees should be able to work together and contribute different skills to the team. They also should be motivated and invested in the company. So developing appropriate questions will help achieve those goals.
What suggestions do you have for interviewing people?
