Gladieux Consulting

  • SERVICES
    • ABOUT
    • MENU (downloadable)
    • 1:1 EXECUTIVE COACHING
    • KEYNOTE SPEAKING
    • STRATEGIC PLANNING
    • TEAM TRAINING
  • CLIENTS
  • KUDOS
  • PRESS
  • COACH’S CORNER
  • GC GIVES BACK
  • RESOURCES
    • FREE TOOLS
    • POCKET 8s
    • RESEARCH SUMMARIES
  • NEWSLETTER

Do you have any favorite interview questions?

Hi Michelle,
We’re expanding this year with resumes arriving by the dozens. Any favorite interview questions?

Congratulations on your growth! Hiring smart is critical. It’s better to eliminate candidates who won’t perform technically or interpersonally from the selection process rather than deal with eliminating from your workforce. And yes, you bet, I have some favorite questions.

Why did you (or would you) leave your most recent employer?

(and the employer before that, and the employer before that…) Collect clues about underlying motivations and ability to work as part of a team. Keep asking if you get cliché answers like “It was time for a new challenge.” Maybe it was, but why?

How do you manage stress?

Employees with high-stress lives bring stress to the workplace, creating unnecessary drama. If the candidate has a stress management plan and regular coping activities, I’m reassured.

What would your co-workers say they like most and least about working with you?

This little gem yields surprisingly candid answers. Put your hand on a phone and mention a call to a person whose name the candidate provides. Expand this question to include “What would your boss say?” and “What would your employees say?” for additional scoop.

How would you approach (a real-life challenge the job incumbent can expect)?

Great question that pulls double duty, offering what org psych experts call an “RJP” (realistic job preview) to the candidate and displaying his or her problem-solving skill and knowledge base.

What other positions are you considering?

Ask about their other prospects. It’s an advantage to you in offer negotiation, and shines light on what types of work they’d consider. On the flip side, I advise candidates to ask how many others are in the running and their rank in comparison to get a feel for the competition.

Most helpful constructive criticism you’ve received? How did it help you?

If they can’t think of any, perhaps they’re resistant to coaching or uninterested in development. Check it out.

Bonus tips:

  • Use a statistically valid personality assessment to learn more about your top 2-3 candidates.
  • Use the same outline of questions with each candidate, allowing unique follow-up questions.
  • Ask yourself, “Is this question job relevant?” If you can’t explain how the question relates to position, don’t ask, which will reduce bias.

You should be recruiting while you’re legally discriminating among candidates. Sell the job. Share positive personal stories of your career at the company. Why do you choose to stay? The best candidates choose among multiple offers, help yours be their first choice.

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • Next Page »

Coach’s Corner

  • Is it a big deal if I’m not a “praise person”?
  • I’ve been promoted to supervisor. How do I interact with employees who have always been my peers?
  • How can I stay focused with so much to do?
  • Why do we procrastinate, and what can we do about it?
  • Are performance reviews worthwhile?
  • How can I manage conflict with more confidence?
  • What is “impression management”, and how can we benefit from it?
  • Is work-life balance possible?
  • What’s the best way to deal with a divided team?
  • How can I stay positive in tough times?
  • What’s the best way to make sure trust on our team remains strong?
  • How can I successfully work from home with children present?
  • Is this the best we can expect from people in power?
  • How can I improve my e-mail?
  • What’s involved when an organization pursues process improvement?
  • I’ve been feeling blah about my job, am I ungrateful?
  • What should I expect in strategic planning?
  • My boss gave me a critical review. Am I being set up for termination?
  • How can I deal with an overly-opinionated co-worker?
  • How do you make public speaking look so easy?
  • I feel controlled by my environment. Can I change my mindset?
  • Why do women talk so much?
  • How do I get co-workers to see that words matter?
  • What should I do when there’s no upside at work?
  • What do you teach in conflict management seminars?
  • How can I communicate like an extrovert when I need to?
  • Which quotations inspire you?
  • Do you have any favorite interview questions?
  • Do you think starting a relationship with a coworker is a bad idea?

Coach's Corner

Have a question for us? Fill out the form below and your question may appear in a future Coach’s Corner.

This form is for Coach's Corner questions. For consulting inquiries, please contact us at (260) 450-4202.

Coach’s Corner Questions

GET NEWS YOU CAN USE

Sign up for quarterly inspiration + free personal and professional development resources:

  • FREE TOOLS
  • LET’S CONNECT
  • Privacy Policy
©2022 Gladieux Consulting All Rights Reserved