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3 Top Questions to Ask Any Candidate at Their First Interview

Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 21 October 2022

Whether you are a seasoned interviewer or interviewing candidates for the first time in your company, you want to get the most out of the time you have to make sure the candidate is a good fit for the role and your company values. Let’s dive in to the top 3 questions to ask any candidate at their first interview.

 

What Attracted You to Apply for This Position?

You can learn a lot from this type of question and will quickly find out if the candidate has a genuine interest in your sector or whether they blindly applied for random roles. This question will also provide an insight in to the values and work ethic of your candidate and whether their answer is in line with your own company process and ethos.

 

Can You Explain Your Thought Process When Making Decisions?

This question is thought provoking and you can discover a lot about how the candidate approaches problems and what they consider important when it comes to problem solving and satisfactory outcomes. How detailed is their thought process and how do they organise it? Is it well- thought out or do they rely on snap decisions? This can tell you a lot about a person and how well they will fit in with your current team.

 

Why Do You Plan on Leaving Your Current Employer and How Would They Describe You?

This question is a great one to make or break an interview depending on how well it has been going so far. Asking your candidate why they plan on leaving their current employer will reveal how much respect they have for their current workplace and throw up any red flags for problems that might arise further down the road. Asking the candidate to tell you how their previous employer would describe them will allow you to see how the candidate feels they fit into a team and can give you an insight in to what kind of employee they will turn out to be.

 

We hope this guide will help you with your next interview and make the hiring process easier for you. If you need any further support as an employer or as an employee looking for your next role, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Key Indicators of a Successful Interview

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 29 November 2024
Interviews are often the most nerve wracking part of the job seeking process and whilst you might be happy that you got the interview, you might wonder if it went as well as you’d hoped. This is a natural reaction to something as important as your career but there are several key signs that suggest your interview was a success, let’s take a look at them. Positive Body Language and Engagement We can usually tell when we get on well with someone and you can also read subtle signs in the interviewers body language which could mean that you left a good impression. Were they leaning forward, engaging with you and seeming interested in what you had to say? Did they respond enthusiastically to your answers? These are all good signs. The Interview Takes Longer Than Expected Interviews are typically structured to a strict timeframe to allow the interviewer to see multiple people and find the best candidate for the job. If your interview has gone over the allotted time but it doesn’t feel rushed, this is a really good sign and means that the company is open to learning more about you and sees potential. Natural Conversations If you have built up a natural rapport with your interviewer and the interview doesn’t seem like a basic question and answer session, this bodes well. If the interviewer also shares information about the company culture, team and future plans with you at this stage, it’s a sign they see you becoming part of their company. Next Steps Discussion If the employer takes the time to explain what the next steps of the process are going to be during your interview, asks about your availability for further stages or lets you know about their onboarding process, these are all good indicators that you are being strongly considered for the role. Introduction and Highlighting the Benefits Another sign that your interview has gone well is if your interviewer introduces you to other team members or key decision makers during the course of your interview. This shows that they personally have deemed you a good fit for the role and could be looking for a second opinion before they make a hiring decision. The interviewer could also begin to highlight the benefits of you working for their organisation, they might mention the ‘perks’ of working for the company, any career progression opportunities or just that it’s a great place to work. They could be trying to sell you the role within the company which often means they think you are a strong candidate.  Whilst the above points aren’t a guaranteed measure of success, they are really encouraging signs that your interview has gone well and that you have made a good impression on the company. If you are currently navigating the job market and need some professional support and guidance, we can help, contact us for advice and information on our current vacancies today.

LinkedIn Poll Results - November 2024

by Simon Clark • 19 November 2024
In our November LinkedIn poll, we explored what factors are most valued by employees for their company’s year-end celebrations. As we wrap up another year, understanding these preferences can help organisations plan events that genuinely resonate with their teams and enhance company morale. The results clearly highlight 'Recognition / Awards' as the leading priority, with 44% of respondents indicating that acknowledging individual and team achievements is the most important aspect of year-end celebrations. This underscores a significant trend: employees value recognition of their hard work and contributions over the course of the year, seeing it not just as a reward but as essential to their satisfaction and motivation. ‘Food’ emerged as the second most crucial element, garnering 33% of the vote. Good food can turn any gathering into a memorable event, suggesting that catering choices play a pivotal role in the overall enjoyment and atmosphere of corporate events. ‘Venue’ was also a notable factor, with 22% of participants considering it important. The setting of a celebration can deeply influence the event’s ambiance and how the festivities are perceived and enjoyed by the staff. Interestingly, 'Entertainment' received no votes, indicating that while enjoyable, entertainment might not be a priority for employees when compared to other aspects like recognition, food, and venue. This could suggest a shift in what employees consider valuable at corporate events, with a stronger emphasis on elements that reflect direct appreciation and tangible rewards. These insights are invaluable for any company looking to boost employee morale and retention through meaningful end-of-year celebrations. By focusing more on recognition and awards, companies can not only make these events more impactful but also reinforce a culture of appreciation that resonates throughout the year.
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