Interview questions to ask a potential employee can be tricky. Any entrepreneur aims to create a high-performance organization, so the job interview is key. Learn the key to a successful job interview from the interviewer’s perspective. This can be helpful for both the organization and the candidate. Let’s go!
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The importance of the questions in a job interview
Knowing the possible candidates who apply for a job is one of the most important aspects of human resources. Although an interview doesn’t guarantee the success of the hiring with total security, it provides you with valuable information about the applicant, their experience, training, and motivations; these aspects can predict person-position adequacy when correctly evaluated.
Before any interview, it is very important to have a good definition of the job in its functions and to have in mind the skills, training and experiences the position requires. This allows us to know exactly what profile we are looking for, and to be able to explain in detail what is expected of the worker in the personal interview.
Tips to prepare good interview questions to ask
The interview process is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. It’s your chance to get to know the candidate, understand their qualifications and experience, and assess whether they would be a good fit for the position. Coming up with the right interview questions can be daunting, so we’ve put together these simple tips to help you make the most of your interviews and find the right candidate for the job.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the hiring process, these tips will help you ask the right questions to get the information you need to make an informed decision. So, let’s dive in!
1. Study the candidate.
Once we have defined the job, it is essential that we do some research about the candidate. The step prior to defining the interview questions to ask, is to carefully read the candidate’s resume to know their professional profile. One of the most serious mistakes made by human resources is conducting an interview questionnaire without having previously read the candidate’s resume. In addition, nowadays it is increasingly common to resort to Linkedin to obtain more professional information about the applicant. The more information the interviewer has about the candidate, the more enriching the interview questions will be.
2. Prepare your interview questions to ask in advance.
It is also necessary to determine what competencies are required for the position, in order to be able to choose questions that lead us to evaluate these competencies (e.g. autonomy, teamwork, etc.). This will speed up the interview and avoid possible awkward silences.
Once in the interview, it is important to reassure the candidate. One way to do this is by asking them something trivial like if they have arrived safely or how they are. Some interview questions to ask should have a follow up question for each possible answer.
3. Tailor the interview to each candidate.
Not all candidates are the same, so why conduct all interviews the same way? It is advisable to have some basic interview questions to ask, but it is convenient to adapt the dialogue to each candidate as the conversation develops.
4. Look for critical incidents in your conversation.
Once the competencies have been identified, in the interview it is time to ask about situations in which the candidate had put these competencies to the test. It is very important to know what you thought, what you did or how you felt in certain situations to better understand how you act in contexts similar to those that could be found in our organization.
5. Pay attention to non-verbal communication.
Observe their gestures, their way of speaking, their clothes, their punctuality. This point is important, because a person who avoids answering some questions, who crosses his arms when speaking, is late or goes with dirty or wrinkled clothes, may not want to be hired.
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Top 15 Best Interview Questions to Ask
Good interview questions will consist mostly of open questions that allow obtaining a large amount of information, avoiding closed yes or no questions since they can cool the interview and coerce the interviewee.
Business owners know that hiring the right people is crucial to a company’s success. But, let’s face it, interviews can be tedious. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 best interview questions that will help you not only find the right candidate but also make the interview process more fun and engaging. We also added some key facts that can be considered to identify good answers.
- “Can you tell me about a time when you had to problem-solve in a difficult situation?” A good answer would be a specific example of a difficult situation the candidate faced, the steps they took to solve the problem, and the outcome.
- “How do you handle stress and pressure in the workplace?” A good answer would demonstrate the candidate’s ability to cope with workplace stress healthily and productively.
- “What do you do to stay organized and on top of your tasks?” A good answer would show the candidate’s ability to prioritize and manage their time effectively.
- “Can you give an example of a successful project you have led in the past?” A good answer is to provide specific details about the project, the candidate’s role, and the outcome.
- “How do you handle criticism or feedback?” A good answer would demonstrate the candidate’s ability to accept constructive criticism and use it to improve.
- “Can you describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member?” A good answer would show the candidate’s ability to handle conflicts professionally and productively.
- “How do you stay current with industry trends and developments?” A good answer would demonstrate the candidate’s commitment to staying informed and educated in their field.
- “Can you tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision?” A good answer would provide a specific example of a difficult decision the candidate had to make, the steps they took to reach the decision, and the outcome.
- “How do you handle multiple tasks and deadlines?” A good answer would show the candidate’s ability to prioritize and manage their workload effectively.
- “Can you give an example of a successful collaboration you have been a part of?” A good answer will provide specific details about the collaboration, the candidate’s role, and the outcome.
- “How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with colleagues or supervisors?” A good answer would demonstrate the candidate’s ability to handle conflicts professionally and find a resolution.
- “Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a new technology or tool?” A good answer would provide an example of a new technology or tool the candidate had to learn, the steps they took to become proficient, and the outcome.
- “How do you stay motivated and engaged in your work?” A good answer would show the candidate’s ability to stay motivated and engaged in their work, even in challenging situations.
- “Can you give an example of a successful presentation or pitch you have given?” A good answer is to provide specific details about the presentation or pitch, the candidate’s role, and the outcome.
- “How do you handle ambiguity or uncertainty in the workplace?” A good answer would demonstrate the candidate’s ability to navigate uncertainty and make decisions with limited information.
Asking the right questions during an interview is important to understand the candidate’s skills, experience, and motivation. This list of the top 15 best interview questions will help you find the right candidate and make the interview process more fun and engaging.
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