Key Questions to Ask in an Interview

When interviewing job prospects, ask key questions to distinguish candidates.

When conducting a job interview, your role is to ask questions that help you identify the best job prospect. Technical job questions are best developed with a review of the job description and job analysis. Other common interview questions are used to get a sense of essential, transferable soft skills that employees usually must have, at a minimum.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Ask about each candidate's strengths and weaknesses in one question or two. "What are your greatest strengths (or weaknesses)?" or "What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?" This is a core question that allows you to understand what the interview candidate brings to the table and what potential red flags exist. Strengths should align with your position and company, according to the Best Interview Strategies site. Weaknesses ideally do not conflict with your company's philosophies and needs.

The Position

"Why do you want this position?" is another common interview question noted by the Best Interview Strategies site. Asking this open-ended question helps you hear from the prospect why he wants to work for your company. A good answer demonstrates that the candidate has taken the time to research your company. This shows interest and ambition. Additionally, the candidate should convey that he understands the nature of the work and is interested and capable of doing it.

Goals

You should ask a goals-related question in your job interview. The Quintessential Careers site provides several examples of goals questions in its database of "The 150 Typical Job Interview Questions." A common example is "What is your five-year plan?" In listening to responses, your concern is that the candidate shows ambition in the current job opportunity and emphasizes interest in the ability to grow with a company. An overzealous and overly detailed plan is likely not genuine, while no plan is a major concern.

Stress

"How do you handle stressful situations?" is an important question to include in your interview questions. Conflict and stress are present in some level with all jobs. The ability to remain calm is an important job skill. Candidates should demonstrate that they have dealt with stress (everyone has) and have the ability to cope and manage. Problem-solving skills should stand out, according to the Best Interview Strategies site. A candidate with a strategy for managing stress is more useful to your organization.

References

• Best-Interview-Strategies: Job Interview Questions & Answers
• Quintessential Careers: The 150 Typical Job Interview Questions