Most managers have their favourite interview questions that they like to ask job hopefuls at an interview. The most seasoned of interviewers will even develop a short list of best questions that quickly tell them what they need to know about a candidate’s job fit, and potential cultural fit. I have my favourites too.
Some of these interview questions have a great track record of helping me select people who became successful employees. Here are 3 of my best interview questions to ask a prospective employee and the point to asking each question.
1. Why do you want to work here? You want to know what the prospective employee is most interested in related to the position. The answer will tell you about what motivates the individual.
2. What do you do best? A modern version of the “tell me your strengths” tough question. Here we want to identify their core competencies and whether they align with the needs of the role. It is a difficult question but has no wrong answer.
3. How do others make you better? In reality, this question is really an insight into a candidate’s self-awareness. It asks them what their weaknesses are without placing a negative spin on it. It relaxes the candidate and shows a little about their ability to fit in with your company culture.
There is more to hiring someone than functional fit in the role. Interviews are supposed to ascertain what personality, experience and character traits make them an ideal candidate for the position. All questions also focus on cultural fit which can prove just as important as qualifications for successful employee recruitment.
For more advice on interviewing techniques please contact me paul@paulgreening.com
