Successful Interviewing

Asking the right questions and watching for signs that a candidate might not be a good fit may make the hiring process longer, but will save time in the longer term.

Top Questions to Ask

• How do you plan and organize your work? Describe how you do so in a specific situation.
• Tell me about the most difficult customer you have dealt with. How did you handle this?
• What is your process for working through a very difficult decision?
• Have you ever had to set aside your own priorities for the good of the team?
• Tell me about a situation where you had numerous demands on your time. How did you resolve it?

Watching for Caution Signs

• Lack of focus. A candidate who is long-winded and goes off on tangents is probably showing signs of disorganization.
• Limited eye contact. This could be a sign of disinterest, or of something to hide.
• Gaps in work history. A resume or a narrative that shows gaps may indicate a problem with the previous employer. Complaints about past employers are also a sign of trouble.
• Failing to ask questions. A strong candidate will ask good questions about the job details. Failure to do this may show lack of attention to detail.
• Grandstanding. Interviewees who constantly keep the spotlight on themselves may not be good team players.