Ask the Best Interview Questions

Many employers spend a lot of interview time asking potential employees questions such as, "what would you do if ..." type questions.

Now, I do believe some decent knowledge about the candidate's qualifications can come from such questions. I have even heard myself ask them in the past despite the fact that I know a better way to interview.

Kick the concept of behavioral interviewing up a notch. You want to know, not just what the candidate predicts he or she will do in some future work situation; you want to know exactly what they have already done in the past. These behavioral interview questions will help you know what to ask.

Additionally, on the subject of questions to assess cultural fit, ask open-ended questions. Challenge the candidate to come up with original, unprepared answers. These cultural fit interview questions tell you much about how the candidate will fit in your work environment. Several examples of these questions are:

• When you look back over your career, when you are retiring, what will have been your chief accomplishments and contributions at work?
• What is your dream for your work life?
• What is the most recent book you have read related to your job?
• Describe the work environment in which you will most effectively be able to contribute.
• What makes you happy at work?

Since the job interview must assess both cultural fit and job qualifications, use these sample job interview questions to select your best candidate for the job.

More About the Job Interview

• Readers' Funniest Interview Question Answers
• Readers' Favorite Interview Questions
• Best Practices in Interviewing
• Job Interview Match Dance
• Job Interview Tips: How to Interview Potential Employees

_{Image © Steve Cole}

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