3 Strategies on Hiring the Best Talent for the Job | JoAnne Marlow

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3 Strategies on Hiring the Best Talent for the Job

3 Strategies on Hiring the Best Talent for the Job

Eight Sample Interview Questions to Help You Hire the Right Person from the Start

Choosing and then losing your talent is one of business’s highest and most time consuming costs. Whether you are the owner, manager, HR Talent Recruiter or the CEO of your organization, the trials and search for the right people who will be productive, engaged members of your team may need a new approach.

I believe spending in 90% of your time finding and hiring the right candidate; while the other 10% of your time is ideally spent on firing or letting the unproductive member go.

In many cases, the reverse is true. I hear these excuses from management all too often:

  • “Give them another chance.”
  • “Maybe if I gave them more training.”
  • “I’m sure they’ll improve or change with more time (or more motivation).”

Before you start to wonder if you’ve made a mistake, let’s take a look at some ways to avoid the standard interview.

Here are three key principles that can help you hire the right person from the start:

  1. Be Creative

    Update your questions and throw in some curveballs that make the candidate think. Get to know them better. Take them on a short tour of the business and observe how they interact with the people you introduce them to.

    Does the person seem genuinely interested in the work of the company? How do they treat others with respect and equality?

    Perhaps sharing lunch at a restaurant will give you some details that will cinch that decision from your short list. Notice if they are polite, respectful, demonstrate good communication skills, or handle problems easily. Often a person’s behaviour and personality becomes clearer during a less formal environment.

  2. Have Clarity

    Know the job that is being filled. Not just the job description, but also the type of personality that will fit best in that department, the skills and behaviours that are required. Be clear on what training is provided and how they are evaluated.

    By knowing the organization’s values and priorities you can ask questions that will determine their values and whether there is a fit. Know the goals of the department’s supervisor so that you fully understand the job, the environment, the attitude and behaviours needed for the most ideal recruit.

  3. Create Unusual Interview Questions

    Ask questions that allow you to really KNOW the candidate.

    SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK:

    • How do you envision your ideal workweek? (If they have previous experience, then you can ask: “Tell me about your regular daily routine at your last job.”)You’ll discover what type of work environment or team dynamics help them to be most effective. You’ll learn how they approach their workday, how much autonomy and structure they had, and how passionate they were about their work.
    • Tell me how you have used your problem-solving skills and leadership in any capacity: work, school, or clubs? (This is a great question, particularly for those with little work experience.)Even if their skills aren’t an exact match for what they’ll be doing at your company, they may be able to tell a succinct story with a clear point where those communication skills will come in handy when the employee encounters a variety of challenges in the new role.
    • What would you do if you got behind schedule on your portion of a project?Their answer will give you some indication of their time management and problem-solving skills, as well as how they would seek advice or assistance to complete a task on time.
    • Give me an example of a situation when you worked in a diverse group with different opinions.The candidate’s answer may be a red flag if they did not have good examples of inclusive behavior and collaboration.
    • How do you like to receive feedback? You’ll discover the best way to communicate with them and whether or not they are sensitive to feedback, both positive and negative. Balancing this with your internal culture will be important and may need to be adjusted accordingly.
    • Can you tell me about a change or new idea that you wanted to get through at your last workplace (or class), but were met with resistance?You’ll learn how they deal with challenge and if they gave up or made it happen.
    • Imagine we’ve just hired you. What’s the most important thing on your to-do list on the first day of work?Their answer will give you a sense of organization, prioritization, judgment and decision-making skills.
    • Tell me what you would do with $50,000.This is a powerful question and its answer will determine what motivates the candidate and, if properly nudged through genuine conversation, will encourage the person to be more engaged, collaborative and valued.

With this type of approach to hiring new talent, you will find the perfect person who will make a great addition to the team!

JoAnne Marlow

About the Author, JoAnne Marlow, B. Comm., B. Ed., MA
People Strategist Consultant

Through a diagnostic evaluation of your organizational culture, JoAnne will determine the core issue(s) that need to be addressed with various systems that she will help you implement into your business. Your results will be better employee retention, higher productivity, an engaged team, and a higher bottom line. As a best selling author, problem solver, and trainer, she has 20 years experience working with leaders and their teams, offers training workshops, keynotes, and seminars.


Visit her website to see how JoAnne can assist with your team development: SystemsForEngagingTeams.com.

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