10 Great Questions to Ask a Candidate

Finding the right candidate can be difficult – usually from the initial examination of resumes, there are more than one potentially good candidate. Once you have your list of candidates to interview, you have to be able to ask the right questions in order to get the results you need. Smart questions are ones that address specific areas of the organization.  Knowing what those areas are is critical to moving forward with the right candidates. 

1. Adaptability – Tell me about a situation where you were under a great deal of pressure due to numerous demands competing for your time and attention. How did you resolve the situation?

2. Customer service – Tell me about the most difficult customer encounter you’ve experienced. How did you handle it?

3. Dependability – Tell me about a time when you had difficulty keeping a commitment? How did you handle it?

4. Ethics – Describe a situation where you worked with someone you did not like or respect. How did you cope with the relationship?

5. Initiative – Tell me about an opportunity that presented itself to you, but you were reluctant to take the risk. What did you do?

6. Interpersonal skills – Tell me about a time you had a serious conflict with a co-worker. How did you handle the situation?

7. Judgment – Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What process did you go through to arrive at the decision?

8. Leadership – Tell me about a time when you had to inspire or energize an unmotivated individual or group? How did you do it and what was the result?

9. Planning/organizing – Give me a summary of the techniques you use to plan and organize your work. Describe how you applied one of these techniques in a specific situation.

10. Teamwork – Tell me about a time you had to set your own interests or priorities aside in the interest of the team.

To get the best people to interview, it is vital to have the right candidates brought to you. AMG Talent Acquisition Specialists provide just that for your organization through a comprehensive strategy anchored in making your organization the envy of the neighborhood. That way, your house always looks in order, no matter who looks in, and highly qualified candidates are always welcome.