50 Great Interview Questions

Hiring decisions are among the most important business
decisions you'll ever make. And in the hiring process, nothing is more
crucial than the employment interview. Within the space of a brief
interview, you must learn about the background, skills and experiences
your job candidate is bringing to the table. You've got to discover
whether the candidate is able to work effectively with a variety of
people and whether he or she possesses the aptitudes that fit the needs
of the position.

Here are 50 of the best interview questions. When it comes
time to hire, use these questions to help you make the right decision.

The candidate's background

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
3. Why are you here?
4. Describe the duties and responsibilities of each of your
   last two (or three) positions.
5. Why do you want to leave your present job?
6. Would you explain the reasons for each of your last two
   (or three, or four) job changes?
7. Would you elaborate on this particular activity (note the
   activity) you mention in your resume?
8. What are your most significant accomplishments?
9. How do you see this position in relation to your overall
   career plan?
10. Summarize your present salary and benefit package.
11. What salary and benefits would you require if you're
    employed here?

The candidate's skills

1. If you could start your last job (or your career) all over
   again, what would you do differently?
2. What's the most difficult problem you've faced in the last
   two years? How did you handle it?
3. Describe a crucial responsibility that you held in your
   last position.
4. What did you learn from your last job?
5. Give me a few examples of your initiative.
6. What were the biggest mistakes that you made in your last
   job (or career)?
7. How do you evaluate yourself?
8. What would you say are your most important and valuable
   skills? Why do you believe these are important?
9. What steps are you taking these days to upgrade your
   skills or learn new ones?
10. Show me a sample of your work.
11. How can you contribute to our bottom line?
12. What concerns do you have about working in this position
    or for this organization?
13. What are your weakest skills? How have you addressed these
    weaknesses in the past?
14. What criticisms about your work have you received over the
    last several years? How have you responded to these criticisms?
15. What academic strengths did you show when you attended
    school?

The candidate's teamwork
talents

1. Describe your relationship with your supervisor, your
   peers, or your subordinates (if applicable).
2. What would your present supervisor say about you? How
   about your peers? How about your subordinates (if applicable)?
3. What was the most difficult work relationship you
   encountered during your last job (or career)? How did you handle this
   difficulty?
4. Without using names, describe two or three of the worst
   people you've ever worked with. Why were they so hard to work with? How
   did you manage to work with them?
5. What do you look for in a supervisor? In co-workers?
6. What kind of supervision do you need?
7. How did your supervisor give you feedback in your last
   job? How did your peers assess your work?
8. Give me an example or two of your teamwork skills.

The candidate's match
with the position

1. What did you like about your last job? What did you
   dislike?
2. What challenges are you seeking?
3. How do you make decisions?
4. What kind of organization do you like to work for?
5. Describe your ideal employer.
6. Describe an ideal workday for yourself.
7. What kind of earning power do you want to have five years
   from now?
8. What motivates you?
9. Why do you think you'd do well here?
10. What would you do your first day on the job?
11. What would be your top priorities during your first week
    (or month, or year)?
12. How would you spend the bulk of your time on the job?
13. How will you transfer skills from your last job to this
    job if you're hired?
14. Why should we hire you?
15. What other positions are you considering right now?
16. If you're hired, how long would you see yourself staying in
    this position? Why?

Richard G. Ensman is a contributing writer to Office SOLUTIONS.

Source: Office Solutions.
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