What Questions to Ask Candidates

Books on interviewing are as varied as they are numerous. However, it is not easy to find a book that teaches us how to prepare for and conduct interviews within specific parameters.

Through our experience, we found that having the same list of questions for each interviewee is not a professional way of doing things - it could also fireback in the near future. Different people, from different walks of life, applying for different positions need to be interviewed differently.

The most important thing to remember, is that asking about qualifications is pretty unfruitful, considering these were already included in the CV. When talking with an interviewee, try making it look like a conversation rather than an interrogation, and get details about specific situations instead of generalities.

First, let us take a look at some typical low-profile jobs:

Junior Clerk

Reporting to the Office Administrator, selected candidates will be performing various data processing tasks such as preparing statements, invoices, business correspondence, maintaining the office filing system and assisting customers. Applicants must have previous experience in a similar position, be computer literate and appreciate the value of customer care.

Typical Interview

Ask the candidates to talk about themselves, and see that they focus on the experience that specifically applies to the position being interviewed for.

• What specific on-the-job tasks have your performed during your previous/present employment?
• Have you had the chance to work independently, with no supervision, in the past?
• If we had to entrust you with the re-organisation of the office's filing system, how would you go about it?
• Tell us about your experience in customer relations?
• If a very angry customer had to storm in, how would you deal with it?
• What information do you ask for when a customer calls on the phone?
• Would you like to add any personal comments? Do you have any questions? Do you need any further clarifications?

Secretary

Reporting to the General Manager, the selected candidate will be overseeing all administrative functions and ensuring the efficient operation of the office; performing all secretarial duties including typing, filing, preparing agendas for meetings, and confidential reports.

Typical Interview

• How does your experience and training qualify you for this job?
• How would you go about setting a meeting between your General Manager and representatives from an external firm?
• What are the most important factors in ensuring the protection of confidential information?
• You're alone in the office during lunch hour. A distraught person barges in demanding to talk to the Manager. How do you handle the situation?
• Your boss will be away from the office for an extended period of time. A person from another department asks to collect the file that is sitting on your boss's desk. What do you do?
• Would you like to add any personal comments? Do you have any questions? Do you need any further clarifications?

Now let us move on to more skilled jobs.

Systems Analyst

Working in the Project Management Division, the selected candidate will be analyzing, designing, programming, testing, installing, documenting and maintaining computer application programs. Applicants must be able to work in a team environment, and effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical personnel within the company and also with external entities.

Typical Interview

• Tell us how your qualifications can be most relevant to the job you are applying for?
• How would you feel having to work with both technical and non-technical personnel - both within our company and also other firms?
• In your opinion, what are the three constraints on a project?
• How flexible are you with your schedule? Do you have any family constraints?
• What programming languages/hardware do you experience in? In what type of projects did you apply this knowledge?
• One of our clients is having more problems in using his applications than all the others. How would you go about addressing this problem?
• What is your view on the importance of on-the-job training and other forms of further training?
• Would you like to add any personal comments? Do you have any questions? Do you need any further clarifications?

Accountant

Supervising a team of accounts clerk and reporting to the Managing Director, the selected candidate will be responsible for issue of management accounts and the smooth operation of the accounting department. Applicants are required to possess a degree in accounting or the equivalent in experience.

Typical Interview

• Give us a summary of your career so far?
• What unique skills and knowledge can you contribute to our company?
• What additional qualifications/training do you plan on attaining?
• What are the aspects of your job you dislike the most?
• Tell us about your supervisory/management experience?
• Would you like to add any personal comments? Do you have any questions? Do you need any further clarifications? ]

Article prepared by Commercial Services Bureau (CSB) Ltd.

Since 1987, CSB Ltd. has been servicing the local and international business community with its range of employment/recruitment related services. It has helped thousands of employees improve their job conditions and careers, and employers obtain the ideal staff for their organisations.