3 of the Best questions to Ask Any Candidate

Are you interviewing for a position in your company? As an employer, your priority is to maximise the success of the interview process and really get a sense of your potential candidates and how they will fit in with your business and its work culture. With this in mind, and with our extensive experience, we have put together 3 of the best questions to ask any candidate in an interview. Let’s take a look.

Taking into account everything you have learned about our company and the role, how do you see yourself fitting in and what would your overall contribution be?

This question assesses the candidates level of preparation and understanding of the businesses goals, culture, and expectations. Candidates who have researched and actively listened during the interview will be able to provide responses that align closely with the company's needs and values. This type of question will also show what impact they expect to have as an individual in the day to day running of your business. If a candidate sees working with you as a great opportunity and they manage to visualise themselves working for you and how that will mutually benefit both of you, this proves that their application is a serious one.

How do you stay updated on industry trends and developments? Can you provide an example of how you've applied this knowledge to improve your work or solve a problem?

This question assesses the candidate’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development and how engaged they are with staying on top of best practices in the industry. In addition, the interviewer can gauge the candidate's approach to dealing with challenges. Candidates who can provide a clear strategy for staying informed and provide examples of applying their knowledge to show their potential are good ones to keep in mind when filling your vacancy.

Can you talk me through a challenging project or task you completed in your previous role? What were the obstacles you encountered, and how did you overcome them?

This question provides an excellent insight into the candidate's problem-solving skills, resilience, and their ability to handle challenges. It will also show their approach to teamwork, communication, and adaptability in a work environment. Candidates who can provide solid examples and demonstrate their ability to overcome obstacles effectively are highly likely to be suited to the demands of the role.

Are you looking to fill a vacancy in your company? If you need some expert help, our team is on hand to help you every step of the way. From advertising your open roles, to selecting the best candidates for the job, we have you covered. Get in touch with our team here.

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LinkedIn Poll Results - January 2025

by Simon Clark • 17 January 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crucial for professionals and businesses to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Our first LinkedIn poll of the year asked industry leaders and professionals to identify what they believe will be the biggest challenge facing their industry this year. The responses shed light on the diverse obstacles different sectors anticipate as we navigate through 2025. The poll results revealed a clear concern, with 'Skilled Labour Shortage' leading as the predominant challenge, cited by 40% of respondents. This highlights an acute issue across industries: the struggle to find adequately skilled professionals. This shortage can hinder growth and innovation, emphasising the need for enhanced recruitment strategies and perhaps a greater focus on training and education within companies. Both 'Regulatory Changes' and 'Technological Advancements' were each seen as the biggest challenge by 20% of participants. These results indicate a landscape of rapid change, where staying compliant with new regulations and keeping pace with technological evolution are critical for maintaining competitive edges. Similarly, 'Economic Fluctuations' were also viewed by 20% as a significant challenge, reflecting concerns over market stability and the broader economic environment that can impact business operations and profitability. These insights are crucial as they highlight the multifaceted challenges industries face in 2025. For businesses, understanding these potential hurdles is the first step toward mitigating their impacts. It suggests a need for a proactive approach in workforce development, regulatory compliance, technology adoption, and economic resilience. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about the results from this month’s poll or maybe looking to recruit and expand your team in 2025, click here to get in touch.

Employers - What are the Top Red Flags on a CV?

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 2 January 2025

When reviewing CV’s, employers often encounter common red flags that can indicate potential issues with a candidate. Whilst no single red flag should automatically disqualify a job seeker, it’s important to pay attention to red flag patterns that could be a concern for you moving forwards. Here is a look at some of the most common red flags employers should watch out for when reviewing a CV. Unexplained Gaps in Employment Gaps in a candidate’s employment history can be a natural part of a career journey but if those gaps can’t be explained, that could cause a recruiter to look at the application more closely. Most gaps can be explained if the candidate has taken a career break to move into further education, travel or raise a family but it’s wise to ask for context from the potential employee for significant periods of inactivity. Frequent Job Changes Moving from job to job quickly can sometimes reflect ambition and a desire for new opportunities but too many job changes in a short space of time could also portray that the candidate shows instability or lack of commitment to their career and could be someone who isn’t going to stick around to grow within the company. Typos and Errors A CV is a candidate’s opportunity to create an excellent first impression and a CV full of spelling and grammatical errors can create doubt about their attention to detail. If a candidate can’t take the time to proofread their CV, it could be a sign that they might not put in much effort to their job responsibilities. Overuse of Buzzwords The overuse of buzzwords and generic terms such as ‘team player’ ‘dynamic’ or ‘passionate’ have become red flags. Whilst these words can be used genuinely, they often lack real substance unless the candidate has explained how they have demonstrated these qualities. If it looks like the candidate is just trying to fill space on their CV, they probably aren’t a good fit for your company. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements A CV that lists responsibilities without demonstrating how a candidate contributed to their previous employers success won’t add much value. Employers want to see results, so the candidates that highlight specific achievements or improvements that demonstrated their impact in previous roles is a winner. A Generic CV If a CV comes across as a generic one that could have been sent to a lot of employers without addressing the specific requirements of the role, this could show a lack of interest or effort on the candidate’s part. Tailoring a CV to highlight the most relevant skills and experience to the job posting shows that the candidate is serious, interested and committed. As an employer, reviewing CV’s carefully can save you time in the hiring process. Whilst one or two minor red flags might not be a reason to discount a candidate, larger patterns of inconsistencies or lack of professionalism shouldn’t be ignored. Keeping our tips in mind, you can make informed decisions and ultimately find the best person for the role. Are you struggling with finding the right candidates for your vacancies? Reach out to us today to learn how we can help streamline your hiring process and connect you with top talent.