Interview tips for Hiring Managers

When it comes to job interviews there are hundreds of blogs, articles, and forums for candidates offering advice on how to ace that very important next interview. From a hiring managers' point of view, this process is just as important to ensure that you hire the right person. This is no easy feat. Asking the right questions during the interview process can make all the difference to ensure that you will be able to make a well-informed decision about which candidate has the right skills, the right experience, and the right attitude to fit into your team will ultimately be a good hire.

To give you some ideas for the next time you're screening candidates, we've put together five interview questions you should ask to help you select employees that will be successful.

Question 1:
"Tell me about a situation in one of your previous jobs where you had to set difficult goals. What did you do to achieve these goals? Explain to me the process you followed"

This question is especially relevant if you are trying to find a candidate that is very result-oriented. It will give you insight into how they deal with difficult and challenging situations and if they are the type of candidates that will put the effort in to achieve their goals even when faced with challenges. 

Question 2:
"From everything you've learned about this role, me and our company, tell me how you feel you'd be able to contribute."

This question reveals a lot about the motivation behind a candidate's application. Did they really do their research about your company and the role and consider how they match what you need, or did they just blindly apply and hope for the best.

Question 3:
"What are the first three things you would do on the job if you were hired for this position?"

You will gain insight into how well the applicant understands the requirements of the job but also what they consider important and how they approach challenges. 

Question 4:
"If you could start your career over again, what would you do differently?"

Asking a candidate to explain the major decisions he has made, highlighting the positive and negative, reveals the person's ability to make calculated decisions based on past professional and personal experiences.

Question 5:
"If you could change one thing in your current position or company, what would that be?"

The question really gets to the heart of the matter as it allows you to get a glimpse at the real reason applicants are looking to make a change and what will be important to them in their next position. One of the most important things to establish with potential hires is whether they are really motivated to make a move and whether or not their expectations are realistic.

Recruiting and hiring good employees is arguably the most critical aspect of a successful business. After all, if you're not hiring the right people, to begin with, your ability to succeed in nearly everything else you do in your staffing practices will be greatly compromised.

Are you looking to make a new hire, want to avoid making a hiring mistake that will cost you time and money? Communicate Recruitment is a specialist recruitment agency, with the very best recruiters. We specialize in the sourcing of top candidates in the Finance, IT, Engineering, and Supply Chain/Freight industries, both for permanent and contracting placements throughout South Africa, and the African continent.

We also have various vacancies, which include Finance jobs, IT jobs, Engineering jobs, Freight jobs, and Supply Chain jobs.