The Ultimate Guide to Asking Great Interview Questions
Interviewing is a critical part of the hiring process. It is your chance to get to know the candidate and assess their skills and qualifications. But how do you create great interview questions that will help you make the best hiring decision?
Here are a few tips:
Start with the job description. What are the essential skills and qualifications for the job? What are the responsibilities of the role? Once you know what you are looking for, you can start to develop your interview questions.
Ask specific questions. Avoid asking vague questions like "Tell me about yourself." Instead, ask questions that are specific to the job and the candidate's experience. For example, if you are hiring a salesperson, you might ask "What is your approach to selling?" or "How do you handle objections?".
Ask open-ended questions. These are questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." They require the candidate to provide more information and explanation. Open-ended questions are more likely to give you insights into the candidate's skills, knowledge, and experience.
Avoid asking illegal questions. There are certain questions that are illegal to ask during an interview. These include questions about race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, and disability. It is important to be aware of these laws so that you do not inadvertently ask an illegal question.
Practice your questions. Once you have developed your interview questions, it is a good idea to practice asking them. This will help you to make sure that you are asking the questions clearly and concisely.
By following these tips, you can create great interview questions that will help you make the best hiring decision.
Here are some additional tips for creating great interview questions:
Tailor your questions to the specific role. The questions you ask should be relevant to the skills and experience required for the job.
Ask follow-up questions. Once the candidate has answered your question, ask follow-up questions to get more information. This will help you to understand their skills and experience in more detail.
Be prepared for the unexpected. The candidate may ask you questions or bring up unexpected topics. Be prepared to answer their questions and address any concerns they may have.
Listen carefully to the candidate's answers. Pay attention to what the candidate is saying and how they are saying it. This will help you to assess their communication skills and their fit for the role.
Remember, the goal of an interview is to learn about the candidate and see if they are a good fit for the job. The questions you ask should be relevant to the position and should help you assess the candidate's skills, experience, and personality.
The interview is a two-way street. It is an opportunity for the candidate to learn about the company and the position, and it is also an opportunity for you to learn about the candidate. By asking the right questions and being prepared, you can conduct a successful interview and find the right candidate for the job.