Best Interview Questions To Ask Candidates: Expert-Recommended

As a hiring manager, asking the right interview questions is crucial for identifying the best talent to join your team. In this guide, we will explore various question types, provide expert-recommended questions, and offer valuable tips to help you conduct effective interviews and make well-informed hiring decisions.

Question Types

1. Behavioral Questions: These questions prompt candidates to provide specific examples of how they have handled past situations, allowing you to assess their skills and experiences.
2. Situational Questions: By presenting hypothetical scenarios, situational questions help you evaluate how candidates would approach challenges in the role they are applying for.
3. Motivational Questions: These questions aim to uncover what drives and motivates candidates, providing insight into their passion for the role and the organization.
4. Competency-Based Questions: These questions assess candidates’ skills, knowledge, and abilities related to the specific requirements of the job.
5. Culture Fit Questions: By inquiring about candidates’ work preferences and values, these questions help determine if they align with the company’s culture.

Guide

Step 1: Understand the Job Requirements

Before the interview, ensure a clear understanding of the job requirements and the key competencies needed for success in the role.

Step 2: Select Appropriate Questions

Choose a variety of questions that align with the question types mentioned above to gain a comprehensive understanding of each candidate’s qualifications.

Step 3: Prepare Open-Ended Questions

Craft open-ended questions that encourage candidates to provide detailed responses, allowing you to gain deeper insights into their experiences and thought processes.

Step 4: Use a Structured Approach

Adopt a structured approach to your interviews, ensuring that each candidate is asked the same core set of questions to facilitate fair comparisons.

Behavioral Questions:

1. Can you describe a time when you had to overcome a significant challenge at work? What was the situation, and how did you handle it?
2. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you manage the situation, and what was the outcome?
3. Provide an example of a project or task that you are particularly proud of. What was your role, and what made it a success?

Situational Questions:

1. If you were faced with conflicting priorities on multiple projects, how would you prioritize your tasks?
2. How would you handle a situation where a project deadline was at risk of not being met due to unforeseen circumstances?
3. If you were promoted to a leadership position, how would you earn the trust and respect of your new team?

Motivational Questions:

1. What excites you most about this position and our company?
2. How do you stay motivated when faced with challenging or repetitive tasks?
3. Can you share an example of when you felt most energized and fulfilled at work?

Competency-Based Questions:

1. What technical skills or knowledge do you possess that make you an ideal candidate for this role?
2. How do your problem-solving abilities contribute to your effectiveness in your current (or previous) role?
3. Can you provide an example of how your leadership skills have positively impacted a team or project?

Culture Fit Questions:

1. What type of work environment allows you to be most productive and happy?
2. How do you typically approach giving and receiving feedback from colleagues or supervisors?
3. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to changes in company culture or team dynamics?

Conclusion

In conclusion, asking expert-recommended interview questions is essential for evaluating candidates’ qualifications, experiences, and fit for your organization. By utilizing various question types and following a structured approach, hiring managers can gain valuable insights into each candidate’s potential contributions and make well-informed hiring decisions.

Q/A

How can I ensure that my interview questions are legally compliant?

To ensure legal compliance, it’s essential to avoid questions related to protected characteristics such as age, race, gender, religion, marital status, or disability. Focus on job-related inquiries that assess candidates’ qualifications and abilities.

What should I do if a candidate provides vague or evasive responses during the interview?

If a candidate provides vague or evasive responses, consider rephrasing the question or providing additional context to help them understand what information is being sought. Additionally, follow up with probing questions to encourage more detailed responses.

Is it necessary to inform candidates about the types of questions that will be asked during the interview?

While it’s not mandatory, providing candidates with an overview of the interview format and question types can help them prepare more effectively and feel more at ease during the interview process.

In summary, conducting effective interviews requires careful consideration of question types and adherence to legal guidelines. By asking expert-recommended questions, hiring managers can gain valuable insights into candidates’ qualifications and potential fit for their organizations while ensuring a fair and compliant interview process.