I can hear your thoughts now — similar to what I have heard from other hiring managers and business owners. What? Really? I don’t hire that often so why would I use my time now to create a consistent set of questions. Or I prefer not to have the interview too structured so we can get to know each other more…….so I can get a good feel for the person…….so the interview can flow naturally since I am not really a structured person.
The 10 Questions
So, we’ll make it easy. Here are questions you can use for a consistent set (just tailor a few questions to your business and a few questions to the job).
- Tell me about your background and why you are interested in this role.
- Our values are Value #1, Value #2 and Value #3. Tell me how you have provided excellent customer service. How did you know? And what feedback did you receive? (Value #1. Example: Customer Service)
- Tell me about how you have ensured your provide quality work in your previous roles. (Value #2. Example: Quality)
- Tell me about your most innovation solution you have provided to a problem. How did you come up with the solution. (Value #3. Example: Innovation)
- Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision made by a manager? What did you do?
- Tell me about a mistake you have made at work and what you did as a result.
- Tell me about a great team you have worked on. What did you do to contribute to the team?
- Tell me about a time you had to change directions quickly? What did you do to adjust to the change in direction?
- Tell me about your experience with……..(insert first key job responsibility)
- Tell me about your experience doing…….(insert second key job responsibility)
- Tell me about your experience completing……..(insert third key job responsibility)
Copy these ten questions, paste them into a document and save as ‘Interview Questions’. Done.
Tips:
- I know the questions start with ‘tell me about a time’. Don’t cringe……it’s important. Why? Past performance is the best indicator of future performance. People can typically tell you how they should handle something, but that can be different than how they have actually handled something. Resist the urge to change the wording and have the candidate provide an experience from their previous work experience.
- Give them time to answer — and let them know it’s okay to take their time. It takes 12 seconds to come up with a new thought (did you know that?!). That’s a long time (One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi……..). Count to 12 in your head if you need to. Do not skip the question because
Contact us if you would like assistance in creating a consistent hiring and interview process. An effective hiring process will save time and energy and reduce turnover in the long run.