Questions to ask applicants during interviews...ideas?

SideWinder · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:13

I'm starting to carry out interviews for my manager for a vacancy in my team. The chosen applicant will be reporting to me and i was wondering if you guys had any good interview questions that i could ask?

My company provide quideline questions (main questions and follow up ones, 20 in total) but i wanted to find a few more that i could ask.

I haven't interviewed anyone before so i thought it would be good to be prepared etc!

Cheers.

planty · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:17

What role is the job for? In what industry?

Hades · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:20

On question I always ask is... "Why you? Why should you be given this job instead of the other applicants?"

dowie · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:21

I think this is a silly idea... just ask questions relating to the role.

You've not even stated what the role is.. if people post generic questions in here and you start asking them then it's like you're asking a bunch of bone questions for the sake of it and wasting both your time and that of the applicants

Ragnahex · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:27

if jan had 15 apples and john had 12 pears how many oranges have been eaten?

SideWinder · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:28

dowie said:
I think this is a silly idea... just ask questions relating to the role.

You've not even stated what the role is.. if people post generic questions in here and you start asking them then it's like you're asking a bunch of bone questions for the sake of it and wasting both your time and that of the applicants

Some of the questions my company provided include generic ones (can't find the exact quotes) asking about occasions they have dealed with a strong character, where they would like to develop themselves etc.

The role is for an assistant in the Production department of a large online fashion company - managing product flow (physical samples) through the department (in a nutshell).

scorza · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:31

Always ask a question to which they can't possibly know what the correct answer is - this enables you reject them easily if you don't like the cut of their jib.

E.g. Are you a technical, hands on kind of person or more of a co-ordinator, organiser, manager? Whichever one they say, the correct answer is the other one.

Nix · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:40

"If you went camping and woke up with a sore bum, would you tell anyone?"

Nitefly · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:41

The single hardest question to answer is the most obvious one - "so why have you applied for this role?"

I'd suggest just providing easy questions and let them convince you. It shouldn't be a trick test... I've had some really mean questions before and I'm not entirely sure what they were trying to prove other than some Jedi mindtricks to see how I would cope with giving an impossible answer!

SexyGreyFox · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:42

It is more important (after the initial questions) they ask questions and you have the answers.

Pestilence · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:43

"What is the difference between a duck...?"

fatiain · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:44

Nitefly said:
The single hardest question to answer is the most obvious one - "so why have you applied for this role?"

Because I need the money and have more self respect than to claim the dole...

Wizzfizz · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:47

What does ASOS stand for?

dowie · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:49

SideWinder said:
Some of the questions my company provided include generic ones (can't find the exact quotes) asking about occasions they have dealed with a strong character, where they would like to develop themselves etc.

The role is for an assistant in the Production department of a large online fashion company - managing product flow (physical samples) through the department (in a nutshell).

I'd suggest just cut out the BS, ask them questions specific to the role/skills they'd need for the role and simply have a chat with them about the role, exactly what it would involve/gauge how keen/enthusiastic they are about it

Diddums x · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:50

Does my bum look big in this?

Cosimo · 2 Nov 2014 at 13:57

What would you do with a letterbox (lateral thinking)?

Amp34 · 2 Nov 2014 at 14:10

"We at International Synergy In Selflessness believe the organisation is of the utmost importance. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the cause?"

"If I made a sandwich and then cut it in half do I have one sandwich or two?"

"If I put an aeroplane on a treadmill would it take off?"

Actually the last one wouldn't be that stupid if its a problem solving/technical role, you could see how their brain worked...

Andy90 · 2 Nov 2014 at 14:11

I would ask them what interests/hobbies they have outside of work. Are they a team player?

D.P. · 2 Nov 2014 at 14:43

Ask them technical questions relating to the role. Don't bother wasting anyone's time with the nonsense about biggest weaknesses or other gumf.

I also wouldn't press to hard on personal questions/personality/hobbies because they don't reflect work performance and open you up to potential legal issues. Much safer to hire based technical ability, gives you lots of protection.

benjii · 2 Nov 2014 at 14:47

Amp34 said:
"We at International Synergy In Selflessness believe the organisation is of the utmost importance. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the cause?"

"If I made a sandwich and then cut it in half do I have one sandwich or two?"

"If I put an aeroplane on a treadmill would it take off?"

Actually the last one wouldn't be that stupid if its a problem solving/technical role, you could see how their brain worked...

I like them! I think you should ask these questions. Also, yes, one and no.