Interviewing candidates is hard work. After meeting someone once or twice, you’re tasked with making a hiring decision that will impact the future of your team. Asking the right questions during the interview process is key, but any candidate worth your consideration will spend an inordinate amount of time rehearsing standard responses.
Asking nontraditional interview questions is the key to learning more about candidates, because their response highlights their personality. People’s true colors come out when put on the spot, so include these three offbeat questions in your next interview.
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If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Candidates expect to be asked about the biggest challenge they’ve faced at their current job and how well they work with others, so this question will catch them off guard. Obviously, the superpower selected by the person is irrelevant, but what does matter is their ability to go with it. You want someone who gives an enthusiastic response, because anything else is probably indicative of a poor cultural fit.
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What are the first three things you do as soon as you get to work every day?
A candidate’s morning routine offers a glimpse at their level of organization and drive. Someone who sits down at their desk, makes a to-do list, checks their email and gets a cup of coffee sets the foundation for a productive day. On the other hand, be suspicious of candidates who offer vague responses, as this may mean they start the day catching up on Facebook or paying bills online.
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Define “insert obscure vocabulary word.”
You don’t actually expect candidates to know the meaning of a completely random vocabulary word, but this is a great way to gauge their ability to improvise. In life, things don’t always go as planned, so this allows you to see how the person handles a curveball. Look for someone with a creative response, as a person who flatly admits they don’t know the answer probably isn’t the best choice.
Finding the right candidate for the job isn’t easy, so allow PrideStaff North Dallas to assist. Whether you’re searching for talent to fill openings in administration, customer service, information technology, finance, legal support, healthcare or production & distribution, we have you covered. Contact us today to get started!
