Ten Core Questions
What to Ask, What to Expect
1. Why are you seeking a new position (how did your last position come to an end) and, what is important to you in your next job?
For many interviewers, this is the first question they ask. It starts the conversation going and provides information that can lead to further questioning. The answers given will help you determine not only how appropriate this person is for the position, but what they consider important in their lives.
1. Why are you seeking a new position (how did your last position come to an end) and, what is important to you in your next job? For many interviewers, this is the first question they ask. It starts the conversation going and provides information that can lead to further questioning. The answers given will help you determine not only how appropriate this person is for the position, but what they consider important in their lives. 2. What specifically interested you in our job as a “Title?"
What you’re looking for is an idea of the applicant’s motivation and interest in the type of work the position involves, the fact that he or she wants to live in the area could be a bonus. The applicant’s answer should directly reflect the qualifications for the job.
• What first interested you in this job as you currently understand it?
• What would be some of the advantages/disadvantages to you in joining our company?
• What do you feel would be the most challenging aspects of this position?
• If you were offered this position, what would you see as the hardest aspect to accept?
3. What experiences with skill (1) & skill (2) have you had that best prepare you for this situation?
You need a clear idea of why this applicant would be the best candidate for the position, with specific accomplishments. The applicant should reflect on past experience and interests that directly relate to the position.
4. What is your greatest challenge to perform this job successfully?
The benefit of this question is that it may yield some important information as to how this applicant will “fit in” in the company and in the position. A strength in one job may be a weakness in another. For instance.
5. Tell me about some of your major accomplishments on other jobs as they relate to this position. What is your greatest career disappointment to date?
6. If I were to ask your former boss (staff) to describe you as an employee what would they say? An about skill (1) & skill (2) specifically? Can you provide us with reference names, if we invite you to meet with us?
7. How long have you been looking for another position? What is the status of your search?
8. Why should we hire you for this position?
This is usually one of the last questions asked. At this point you’ll want the applicant to reiterate the points he or she has made throughout the interview and stress the strongest benefits he or she has to offer. You’ll also want to look for indications that the candidate is very interested in the position and wants to be considered for the job.
9. What are your salary expectations? Be prepared to offer your salary range and ask how that meets with their expectations. How does that compare to what you have made previously? What have you made previously (ask if necessary)?
10. Do you have any questions?
By giving the candidate this opportunity you’ll be able to determine the candidate’s level of interest in the position, how much he or she already knows about the company, and what else is important to them.
• What is your management philosophy?
• What kinds of ongoing training are provided?
• Are there opportunities for advancement?
• How would you describe the people who I will be working with?
• What are the future plans of the organization?
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