Are You Asking These Questions in an Interview?

As a hiring professional, you must find the best possible talent for your organization. Therefore, thoroughly preparing for the interview is just as important for you as it is for the job candidate. During job interviews, make sure you're asking the following four questions to ensure you make a well-informed decision.

1. What One Skill Makes You Most Qualified for This Position?

Your primary focus during the interview stage is finding candidate who can perform the necessary functions of the job. Leading with this question in the beginning of the interview offers a two-fold value: you get confirmation that the candidate possesses the required skills and greater insight into their core competencies. If the candidate answers with an irrelevant skill or accomplishment, consider it a red flag, as the candidate may not understand the core duties of the role.

2. Can You Describe a Time When You Overcame a Work-Related Challenge?

This behavioral interview question is a favorite among hiring professionals, and for good reason. Understanding how to overcome obstacles and difficult situations at work is an important skill in any industry. The candidate's answer to this question during the interview provides insight into his working style and lets you know where he might fit in best within the organization. Also, due to the challenging nature of the question itself, you get a glimpse of how your potential employee handles himself under pressure.

3. How Would You Describe Your Work Style?

Hard skills are important, but so is making sure your new candidate will be a good fit for the company. Questions like this one help you determine which working situations or departments might be a good fit for the candidate. Elaborate further with questions such as: Do you prefer to work autonomously or with lots of direction? Do you perform best independently or as part of a team? The more specific your questions are, the more information you'll have about the candidate's work habits, which can be very helpful when it's time to place the candidate on a team.

4. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Employer?

This question might sound forward, but it's one of the most important questions to ask during the interview. The candidate must answer tactfully in order to avoid bad-mouthing their current or former employer. If the candidate dances around the question or provides a vague response, it may be an indicator of a less-than-ideal departure. If the candidate speaks highly of his previous employer and job role, he might be in search of a new opportunity with your company.

Asking the right questions during the interview is crucial to finding the perfect new employee. The answers to these interview questions offer valuable information about the candidate's skill set, working style and personality, helping you to make a more informed hiring decision.

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