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The interview process

You’ve been reading cover letter after cover letter and scouring resumes when you finally whittle down the number of applicants and are ready to get to know them some more. Interviews provide a platform for learning about a candidate and understanding whether his or her personality, experience, abilities and more, will fit in your company. By asking the right questions you can maximize the quality of the interview and the time you’re spending in it.

Here are a few suggestions that can help you learn the most about your potential employee.

Start with an icebreaker
In an article on CBSnews.com, Brian Libby suggests starting with a question that’ll help the interviewee feel at ease. The goal is to connect on a neutral topic and build a sense of trust. Libby says this, in turn, will help the interviewee answer questions honestly.

Example: “How about those Yankees?” “Did you have a good holiday?”

Glance into the past
They say past behavior predicts future behavior, so learn about their former experiences and how they handled situations. Questions can range from how they overcame a tough problem to their time management skills. Think of challenges they may face in the position they’re interviewing for to get an idea of the best questions to ask.

Example: “Tell me about setbacks you’ve faced and how you’ve dealt with them.”

Learn how the candidate feels about the job and industry
Libby says that candidates apply for a position for many reasons. By asking them why they’re interested, you’ll get a sense of their motivation.

Example: “What motivated you to apply for this job?”

Find out if they did their homework
Redfish Technology Inc., a company that specializes in finding talent for the high tech and green energy sectors, suggests asking a candidate what they know about your company. This will show how dedicated a person is and whether he or she is proactive. It also gives them a chance to ask any questions they have about your business.

Example: “What attracted you to our organization?” or “What do you know about our company?”
 

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