Interviewing Job Candidates: Ask the Right Questions

We’re going to hire several professional-level people in the next few months, and I have to do the initial interviews for those who will work in our area. With so many good people looking for work, what information should I look for to get the best candidates? — Mark Y.

Find out how they’ve handled their previous jobs: that’s usually a good predictor of what they’ll do for you. Have your questions prepared in advance, and ask each candidate the same questions. Take thorough notes, and write down your impressions right after the interview. Use open-ended questions—those that can’t be answered with a Yes or No. Here are some open-ended questions that will help job applicants tell their stories, especially if the applicants are not very expressive and need prompting:

“What caused you to consider leaving your present job?”

“What part of your job did you like best? Least?”

“How did you like working in that department (assignment, office)?”

“If you could have changed things, what would you have suggested?”

“What's the most difficult situation you ever had to work in?”

“If you could write you own job description, what would it be?”

“This new job I've just described to you--what about it appeals to you most?”

“What do you eventually want to do five years from now? Ten years?”

“What has been your greatest creative achievement?”

“Tell me about your most recent creative disappointment, when you just

couldn't get the job done in your own way, on your own terms.”
“Where do you want to wind up, professionally, at the height of your career?”

“Tell me why you prefer to work alone (or, in a group).”

“Why do you prefer to work in a structured (unstructured) situation?”

“How do you respond to criticism? Can you give me a recent example?”

“How do you respond to strong creative direction?”

“Tell me why you like specific directions (non-specific assignments).”

Level and Complexity of Previous Work

“Could you describe a typical day on your job?”

“What sort of things took up most of your time on this job?”

“What kind of decisions did you typically make on this job?”

Extent of Job Responsibilities

“Could you explain just where you fit into the organization?”

“Could you tell me a little about your boss's job?”
“How much contact, typically, did you have with your boss?”

“In your contacts with your boss, what kinds of things went on?”

“To what extent did your boss let you work independently?”

“What kind of decisions did he or she expect you to make?”

“What kind of staff assistance did you normally get?”

Motivation

“How did you happen to go into that job in the first place?”

“What attracted you to that kind of work?”

“Why did you decide to make a change?”

“What are some of the things that kept you working at that job?”

“Describe what you would consider to be the perfect job for you —disregarding any

past jobs you've had.”

Attitudes and Feelings

“What did you like best about the job?”

“What kind of things didn't you like about the job?”

“How did you feel about the company as a whole?”

“Was there anything about the company or the manner in which they

operated that you didn't particularly like or agree with?”

“Could you describe the kind of company it is?”

“What kind of atmosphere or climate would you say it has?”

“How much of a challenge did you find the job?”

“What aspects of the job were challenging?”
“How did you feel about the progress you made?”

Education/Background

“Let’s go back … tell me when and how you first became interested in _______?”

“What were your thoughts that led you to major in (college major)?”

“What courses were most challenging? Why?”

“What are your most significant skill areas?”

“How do you assess your skills in relationship to this position? Where are

you strongest technically? Weakest?”

“How has technology affected the way that you work?”

Be Prepared for Candidate Questions

You should also be ready to answer the tough questions that candidates ask

“Why is the position available?”

“What happened to the person who held this position previously?”

“What do you expect this job to accomplish?”

“What are you looking for in a candidate?”

“What type and how much training and professional development will be provided?”

“What is a typical workday like?”

“What does it take to be successful here?”

“What’s the process for getting decisions approved?”

“What will be my level of responsibility and autonomy?”

“How is performance evaluated?”

“What are key priorities for the company/ department/job?”

“Could you describe the behaviors/accomplishments for a person who is doing a superb

job in this position? What would be the likely rewards for doing a superb performance?”