Some great topics to cover when interviewing potential employees are their past experiences, how they overcame difficult challenges, and what motivates them in their work. Additionally, some interesting interview questions help employers to know about the candidate’s expectations for the role and how they see themselves contributing to the team. By asking the appropriate questions you will ensure that you are making the best possible hiring decision for your company.
Here are some of the best job interview questions to ask as a hiring manager.
In this Article:
1. What do you know about our company, and why do you want to work here?
The hiring manager should ask this question to get a sense of the candidate’s knowledge about the company and their motivation for wanting to work there. By asking why the candidate wants to work for the company, the job interviewer can gauge whether they are a good fit for the organization or not. Also, the interviewer will realize if the candidate is interested in the job for the right reasons.
2. What skills and strengths can you bring to this position?
This question allows the candidate to share their skills and strengths with the hiring manager. This information can help the interviewer determine if the candidate is a good fit for the position. Additionally, asking this question encourages the candidate to think about why they are a good fit for the position and provides them with an opportunity to articulate their strengths.
3. Can you tell me about your current job?
Asking about a candidate’s current job is another good question to make during a job interview. It can help you understand what the candidate’s experience has been like and whether they are happy in their current role or not. In addition, it gives you an idea of the skills and experiences the person has. Hopefully, the candidate’s experience may be relevant to the position you are hiring for.
4. What could your current company do to be more successful?
This question can help you measure the candidate’s understanding of their current company and their ability to propose new alternatives. Furthermore, it will be useful to determine if the candidate has any ideas or suggestions to make your company more successful.
5. Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with a boss or colleague and how you handled the situation?
The question of disagreement is important because it shows how the candidate handles conflict. It can also give insight into whether the candidate follows authority unquestioningly or not. By asking this question, you can imagine how candidates think for themselves and how they handle disagreements.
6. Do you work best alone or on a team?
This question will be useful to discover how well a candidate will fit into a particular work environment. If someone is used to working independently, they may not be comfortable working on a team. Conversely, if someone thrives in a collaborative environment, they may not be happy working alone. By asking this question, you will realize how the candidate prefers to work and whether they will be a good fit for the company or not.
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
There are a few reasons why this question should be asked during a job interview with a candidate. One reason is that it can help you get a sense of whether the candidate is truly excited about the opportunity or if they are simply looking for a job. It can also help you gauge the candidate’s loyalty and how likely they are to stay with the company for a long time. Additionally, if the candidate has any reservations about their current job, this is a good opportunity to hear them out.
8. How would your coworkers describe you?
This question provides insight into how the candidate functions in a professional setting. It can also give the job hiring manager an idea of how the candidate is perceived by others. This is valuable information when making a hiring decision.
9. How would your boss describe you?
By asking this question you will get more information about the candidate’s past working relationship. It can give insight into how the candidate works with others and if they are able to take direction. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for the candidate to give their own perspective on their strengths and weaknesses.
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
The question of where someone sees themselves in the future is key in an interview. It gives a potential employer an idea of the candidate’s plans for their career. If the candidate plans to continue working for the company in question, then that person is dedicated and loyal. When a candidate plans to move up within the company, he or she is showing ambition and a desire to grow. Another alternative is that the potential employee plans to leave the company in five years. That could be a sign of dissatisfaction or a lack of long-term commitment.
Asking this question allows employers to get a better idea of what the candidate’s goals and plans are for the future, which can help them make a decision about whether to hire the candidate or not.
11. How do you manage deadline pressure?
Some people thrive under pressure while others crumble. Understanding how a candidate handles deadline pressure is important for any organization. If the candidate does not handle pressure well, it could lead to a poor work ethic and missed deadlines. On the other hand, if the candidate thrives under pressure, it could lead to increased productivity and innovation. Asking this question during a job interview can help you determine if the candidate would be a good fit for your organization.
12. In your most recent role, was there a time when you had to overcome a significant challenge?
This question should be asked during a job interview with a candidate because it shows how the candidate handles difficult situations and demonstrates their ability to problem solve. It can also help to gauge the candidate’s resilience and determination.
13. What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on in a past position?
Interview questions can tell you a lot about people’s skills and interests. By asking this question, you will get a better idea of what they are passionate about and what they are capable of. Additionally, this question can help you determine if the candidate’s skills fit the role you are interviewing for.
14. What’s one fact that’s not on your LinkedIn profile?
LinkedIn profiles can be incredibly helpful in providing a snapshot of a candidate’s skills, experiences, and education. However, there are always some details that are left out. This question gives the hiring manager a chance to learn more about the candidate and see if they are being truthful in their profile. Additionally, it can help to reveal any gaps in the candidate’s experience or education.
15. Do you have any questions for me?
This question allows the candidate to assess if they the position interesting and if they have any unanswered questions about the role. Asking this question also allows the candidate to get to know the hiring manager better and see if they would be a good fit for the company.
Specific questions related to company culture
What is important for you within a company?
The way a company values its employees is important to many job seekers. Candidates want to make sure the organization they will be working for value and respect them. Asking this question during a job interview allows employers to gauge candidates’ priorities and see if they would be a good fit for the company culture.
What do you think makes our company culture unique?
Every company has its own unique culture. This question allows employers to see how candidates perceive the company culture and if they would be a good fit for it. Additionally, it can help reveal gaps in the candidate’s understanding of the company culture.
Do you know the biggest difference between our company and our competitor?
This question allows employers to see how a candidate perceives the company culture in relation to its competitors. As the previous question, it can also help reveal gaps in the candidate’s understanding of the company culture.
Specific interview questions related to the salary
What are your salary expectations?
Salary expectations are always a good question to ask a potential new hire. This gives you an idea of what the candidate is expecting and whether it is within your budget or not. It can also help you determine if the candidate is looking for a job for the right reasons.
What is your current salary?
This question gives you a good idea of whether the potential new hire is in line with what you’re willing to pay or if they are expecting a salary that is too high or too low.
Unique interview questions you can ask
What would you add to the job description if you wrote it?
This question can help employers determine if the potential new hire is a good fit for the company. They may have different goals or interests that may not align with the company’s mission or values. Next to this, you can learn how the new hire would do the job if you are not sure how they can best do it.
What do you think our company could do better?
This is a good question to ask a potential new hire because it gives them a chance to share their thoughts on the company and what they think they could do better. This can help you get a better idea of the person’s expectations on a job and also if they are good enough for your organization.
Do you have any suggestions on how we could improve our interview process?
This can help you to get a sense of their problem-solving skills and how well they work with others. Next to this, you can use this feedback on the interview process itself, or they may have suggestions on how to make it more efficient.
How could we best support you in your professional development?
The question helps potential new hires to analyze their level of interest in the job. Also, they will give you ideas to invest in their professional development. It also shows the candidate that the company they are applying for is willing to invest in their development.
A word from SublimePeople
These interview questions will make you find the right hire. When hiring managers take the time to ask thought-provoking interview questions, they gain valuable insights into a potential employee’s background, motivations, and expectations.
Notice that the best questions are those whose answers aren’t a simple “yes” or “no.” Questions like the ones discussed above make the interviewee think, and they will give you a sense of how well the interviewee will think on their feet under pressure. When you find the right questions, you’ll be able to find the right hire.
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