Effective interviewing is an art.
If you've conducted job interviews you know that some people interview exceedingly well, then turn out to be "less than promised" when hired. Others struggle to field questions appropriately, but may end up being among your best employees. How do you decide?
The first step to effective interviewing is asking the right questions, which may change based on the type of job you're seeking to fill. The second step is really listening to the answers.
The book Great Interview Questions for Hiring the Best Person by John Kador offers a number of thought-provoking questions interviewers may want to ask. Here are a few I found worthy of note:
- What do you think it takes for a person to be successful in your field?
- What two or three things will be important to you in a new position?
- What were the most important projects you worked on at your last job?
- What was the hardest decision you ever had to make and how did you handle it?
- Do you prefer to speak with someone or send a memo?
- What is the most significant compliment anyone has ever paid you?
- Tell me about an employee who became more successful as a result of your management.
- Give an example of a situation in which you failed and how you handled it? What did you learn?
- Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker.
- What was the most useful criticism you ever received?
- Tell me about yourself using only one word adjectives.
- What single message would you like me to remember that will convince me that you are the person we should hire?
Hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake. It's important to look for the right blend of technical skills, personality fit, and willingness to persevere and be successful in the role.
As Mr. Kadar states in his book - interviewing is serious business.
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