Great Interview Questions

In actuality the interview process has been defined as potentially the weakest link in hiring and selection, but I came across these questions every interview should include and I wanted to share them with you and why you should use them:

• How about them Yankees? The point of this type of question is an icebreaker. It establishes a rapport and a context. Interviewing is stressful, if you can begin to build a rapport you will get better more honest answers.
• Tell me about a time you had to overcome a major obstacle? The point here is how do they respond to change and obstacles. Do they get creative? Do they shut down? Don't be afraid to probe for details. Also if your candidate is the "super hero" or victim this is a dangerous sign.
• What interests you about this job? I am all about fit and commitment. If they can't describe why they want the job or they are interested in our organization it makes for some heavy lifting to get them engaged. It can also tell you if you have "fit". If they are looking for something you don't offer or you see a mismatch with the hiring manager better to find out now.
• Is there intelligent life on Mars? The point of this question is that it is bizarre. It actually makes the candidate think on their feet rather than give you a pre-packaged response that they learned in a how to interview course. How they answer in terms of attitude, thoughtfulness, etc. is more important than what they answer per se.
• So we just hired you, tell me about your "first day" to do list? What you are probing here is decision making and judgement skills. It is intended to be situational and probe for skills or aptitudes you are seeking.
• How did you get into this field or career path? Again here you are seeking fit. Do their values correlate with yours. Are they "committed" or compliant?
• Tell me what you know about us? In this day of the internet, social media, etc. this speaks to preparation and investment. If they don't know anything about your organization they are going through the motions. Is this a person you want in your "life boat"?

As I said in the beginning unless you are a very skilled interview the interview itself can be very unreliable. These questions are much more about "fit" and attitude then about competency, but most candidates fail based on fit, not technical skills.

For me it is important to understand someones thought processes and how they respond in different situations. These aren't the only questions I would ask, but I would definitely weave them into my process. They are also intended to be illustrative rather than definitive. You can create your own variations. It is also okay to "wait" for a candidate to respond. While your intent isn't to create stress if the question is worth asking, it is worth waiting for an answer.

So what are some of your favorites and how do you use them?