The dread of interviews can quickly transform into a productive conversation if you know how to get the candidate talking. While resumes provide the basics, it’s the effective interview questions that allow you to peel away the layers and see who the candidate truly is. The key is creating a space where they feel comfortable enough to drop their interview facade and share their authentic self.
Here’s how to do it—and a few questions that can help.
The Power of Asking the Right Questions
Opening Up the Clam Shell: Getting Candidates to Talk
Sometimes, candidates are closed off during interviews due to nerves or simply because they’re not used to being put on the spot. In these situations, you need to use effective interview questions that encourage them to elaborate on their responses. Here are two simple but powerful phrases you can use:
- “Tell me more about that.”
Example: You ask, “What made you decide to obtain your paralegal certification?” They respond, “I found it interesting.” You can then reply, “Great, tell me more about that.” This encourages them to expand on their answer. - “What does that mean to you?”
Example: You ask, “What are you looking for in a job?” They respond, “Growth opportunity.” You can then ask, “Ok, tell me what growth opportunity means to you.” This helps clarify their expectations.
Alternate Prompts for Deeper Insight
If you’re looking to get a more in-depth response, try these prompts:
- “That’s interesting. What would have been possible if you had all the resources to complete that project?”
- “What would that look like to you in an ideal situation?”
These questions encourage the candidate to think beyond surface-level answers and reveal more about their problem-solving abilities and vision.
Going Beyond the Resume: Effective interview questions
Once your candidate starts talking, the interview becomes less about their resume and more about who they are as a person. Pay attention to their:
- Attitude: Are they positive, focusing on possibility, or do they dwell on negativity?
- Comfort Zone: Do they thrive in the backstage, administrative roles, or are they comfortable front stage, handling client-facing tasks?
- First Impression: How do you feel interacting with them? Remember, their first impression will also be your clients’ first impression.
Too often, we overlook subtle warning signs during interviews because we’re eager to fill the role. But clients won’t be as forgiving, and a poor hire can impact your business’s reputation.
Shifting Focus for Effective Interview Questions: It’s About People, Not Just Resumes
Interviews should be about more than just skill sets; they should focus on whether the candidate is a good fit for your team. While you may receive resumes from 50 qualified candidates, the interview is your opportunity to discover if their personality and attitude align with your company’s culture and the role you’re hiring for. That’s why asking effective interview questions is so crucial.
Need Help Finding the Right Candidate?
If you’re struggling to find qualified candidates or don’t have the time to sift through resumes and conduct interviews, consider using our Smart Hire Solution™. We help you:
- Define the role you’re hiring for.
- Craft an ad designed to weed out unqualified candidates.
- Conduct resume reviews, phone interviews, and reference checks.
- Provide you with a debrief of the top candidates for face-to-face interviews, along with the Ultimate Smart Interview Questions™ to make the final decision easy.
Use Effective Interview Questions to Uncover the Best Talent
The secret to a successful interview is creating an environment where the candidate feels comfortable enough to drop their guard and reveal their true self. By using effective interview questions, you’ll get past rehearsed responses and uncover the qualities that make someone a great fit for your team.
For more tips on hiring the best candidates, visit our free resources at fire.h50.us/~hrgnmpwr/dev2/.
Effective interview questions