Best questions to ask to find the right talent

Within a lot of interviews I have personally sat in or audited the one thing that I always notice is that interviewers don’t seem to know or understand what questions to ask. This often leads to a poor overall experience for the candidate as they get asked a number of poor questions, repeated questions or just downright bizarre ones. Most importantly though, a lot of interviewers aren’t able to properly or effectively assess candidates for the role.

So to help people I have prepared a list of top 10 interview questions with some additional guidance in how to assess well for these questions.

1. Can you tell me about a challenging project you've worked on and how you overcame the difficulties?

   • Assessment Tip: Look for problem-solving skills, creativity, and persistence. Assess how the candidate approaches challenges and whether they can learn from difficult situations.

2. How do you prioritize your work when dealing with multiple deadlines?

   • Assessment Tip: Evaluate their time management and organizational skills. It’s important to see if they can effectively handle stress and workload.

3. Describe a time when you had to work with someone you found difficult. How did you handle the situation?

   • Assessment Tip: This question gauges interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Assess their ability to navigate workplace conflicts and maintain professionalism.

4. What motivates you in your work?

   • Assessment Tip: This helps understand the candidate's intrinsic motivations and whether these align with the role and company culture.

5. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it and what was your learning takeaway?

   • Assessment Tip: Look for accountability and the ability to learn from errors. It’s important they can admit mistakes and take corrective actions.

6. How do you stay updated with industry trends and developments?

   • Assessment Tip: This question assesses the candidate's commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

7. Can you give an example of how you have contributed to a team project?

   • Assessment Tip: Evaluate their teamwork and collaboration skills. It’s crucial to know how they contribute to group efforts and interact with team members.

8. What about this role and us as a company made you interested in this role?

   • Assessment Tip: This shows how much research they've done and their genuine interest in the company. It reflects their preparation and enthusiasm for the role as well as alignment to the company values and mission.

9. Describe a situation where you had to adapt to significant changes at work. How did you manage?

   • Assessment Tip: Look for adaptability and resilience. The ability to handle change is crucial in today’s dynamic work environments.

10. What are your career goals, and how does this position align with them?

    • Assessment Tip: This helps in understanding the candidate's long-term aspirations and whether the role is a good fit for their career path.

Here are some additional tips for assessing candidates with the above questions in the interview.

General Tips for Assessing Answers:

• Listen for Specifics: Encourage candidates to provide specific examples. Vague responses might indicate a lack of experience.

• Look for Evidence of Soft Skills: Assess communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities through their examples.

• Consistency and Honesty: Cross-check answers with their resume and during the interview for consistency.

• Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to body language, which can provide insights into their confidence and enthusiasm.

• Values Alignment / Culture Add: Consider how their values, work style, and motivations align with the company culture / values.

• Ask Follow-Up Questions: If an answer is unclear or incomplete, ask for more details to get a complete picture.

Hopefully you will leverage the above questions in interviews coming up this week.

Be sure to check out my other posts for other tips when interviewing.

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