How to Ask All the Right Questions
You’ve got a great product. You’ve built an amazing brand. And you want to know that every hire is going to fit. Finding candidates who not only have the right skills but also align with your company’s culture is crucial. It’s good for you, but it’s also good for them. Because when you ‘click’ you know you’ll get peak performance, an employee who will stay the course and who will be happy in the process.
But how do you make sure you’re asking the right questions during the interview process to find your fit? Here’s our ultimate guide to killer questions that will ensure you and your candidate really connect.
Know your culture
When it comes down to it, recruitment is about more than just matching personalities; it’s about making sure a candidate will thrive in your culture. You’ve got to be sure that their values, beliefs, and behaviours align with yours if the chemistry is really going to work.
Before we even get to the interview, you’ve got to know your onions! It’s essential to clearly define your company’s culture – the key values, norms, and behaviours that are important to your organisation. Think about how your business approaches teamwork, innovation, work-life balance, customer focus, or diversity and inclusion. Once you have a clear narrative, you can tailor your questions to work out whether a candidate aligns with these aspects.
Those Juicy Questions:
Get to the heart of it.
“Can you describe a work environment where you were the happiest and most productive?” This question helps you understand how the candidate will thrive and whether it’ll work for your workplace.
“Which of our company values resonate most with you and why?” Get straight to the point – see how they answer this to see if they really understand where you are coming from.
Find yourself a team player.
“Tell me about a time you had to work closely with a team to achieve a goal. What was your role, and how did you contribute?” You need to know if they’re a team player so ask them straight!
“How do you handle conflicts with colleagues?” No one wants to work with a loose cannon so find out their take on conflict-resolution before you have to become a part-time mediator!
Agility testing!
“Can you share an experience where you had to adapt to significant changes at work? How did you manage it?” Flexibility is key when you’re operating a dynamic environment. Find out if they have what it takes.
“What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a past job?” The ability to reflect and demonstrate your learning is key. See what they can say about past experience.
What’s your style?
“Describe your ideal workday. How do you prioritise your tasks?” Find out whether your candidate will fit with your pace and expectations.
“How do you balance work and personal life?” You want happy employees. Find out whether you’re hiring for the long-term with this question!
Getting ahead…
“Tell me about a time when you proposed a new idea or solution. What was the outcome?” This question helps you to discover their initiative and willingness to innovate, and we all need some of that!
“How do you stay current with industry trends and developments?” Find out if they really want the job and care about your industry with this question.
Listen and learn
While asking these questions, pay attention not just to the answers but also to the candidate’s tone, enthusiasm, and body language. Do they light up when talking about talents that are crucial to your company’s culture? Are their stories consistent with the behaviours and attitudes you value?
You’re not alone
Invite current team members into the interview process. They can offer valuable insights into whether the candidate would mesh well with the team and make a positive contribution.
Hiring for cultural fit is as crucial as hiring for skills and experience. By asking the right questions and paying attention to the candidate’s responses, you’ll know whether they will thrive in your company’s culture. If you protect your strong culture, you’re likely to make better hires. And that leads to happier employees, happier teams, and a happier bottom line.