Interview Tips

• Prepare the candidate: make sure they know where and when the interview will be held, who they’ll be interviewing with, who to ask for when they arrive, whether they’ll be in a group interview, what to bring, where to park, etc.
• Write a list of questions that directly relate to the job’s responsibilities.
• Be prepared. Understand the qualifications and responsibilities of the position you’re hiring for, be ready to answer questions about the company, and make yourself familiar with the applicant’s experience.
• Be welcoming.
• Outline the interview structure for the candidate when they arrive.
• Be consistent with your questions.
• An interview is a mutual exchange of information. Remember that the candidate is gathering information as you gather information.
• Be a strong listener.
• Ask appropriate follow-up questions.

Sample Interview Questions

• Tell us about a personal, career, or education triumph that you are proud of.
• Tell us about the best work relationship you ever had.
• Who has inspired you in your life and why?
• What three things do you need to be successful in this job?
• Tell us about a time you did the right thing, but nobody saw you do it.
• Tell us about a time where you had a conflict with someone, like a coworker or a classmate: how did you handle it?
• What questions do you have for us?
• Tell us about a time where you made a mistake: what did you do to resolve it?
• Tell us something other than money that would inspire you to keep a job.
• Tell us about a time when something out of your control went wrong: how did you demonstrate flexibility and contribute to recovery?
• What is the last new thing you learned?
• Tell us about a time when you took a big risk. What was the outcome?
• Tell us about the smartest person you know.
• Tell us about someone famous who inspires you and why.