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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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Top Strategies for Measuring and Showcasing Your Impact on a CV

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 26 February 2025
If you are applying for a new role and want to make a good impression, it’s not just about listing your previous roles and responsibilities; employers also want to see the tangible impact you’ve made in your previous positions. A results-driven CV highlights your value and helps you to stand out. Here are some of our top strategies for measuring and showcasing your impact on a CV effectively.  Use Measurable Metrics Numbers provide concrete evidence of your past achievements. Wherever you can, always try to include measurable results you have achieved in the past. For example: Increased sales by 25% in six months, generating an additional £50,000 in revenue for the company, or improved customer satisfaction scores from 80% to 90% over the course of a year. If direct figures aren’t available, approximate percentages can still highlight your progress. Include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Every industry has general benchmarks for success. Use benchmarks from your previous roles to demonstrate your achievements and always make these relevant to your new role. Have you ever met and exceeded sales targets, improved customer satisfaction, or streamlined project completion times? Even if your role wasn’t target-driven, think about the different ways you improved team performance, efficiency, or quality of service. Show Career Progression and Promotions Career growth within any of your previous organisations is a strong indicator of your capability. Always highlight any promotions you achieved, as well as increased responsibilities, to show your professional development. For example: “Promoted from assistant to manager within two years due to consistent performance and leadership.” Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills Employers always value candidates who show initiative and problem-solving abilities. Use your CV to showcase real challenges you’ve overcome and the impact this had on the company. Include any difficulties you encountered in your previous roles, how you came up with a solution and what the end result was for the company. Use Strong Action Verbs Make your achievements stand out with dynamic, results-oriented language. Instead of passive phrases like “was responsible for”, try to use strong action verbs such as achieved, led, developed, implemented, and optimised to highlight your abilities. For example: “Led a team of five to launch a new product, generating £100,000 in sales,” is stronger than “Was responsible for a team of five.” Keep It Concise and Relevant While detail is important, try to avoid unnecessary information. Tailor your CV to the role you are applying for and focus on your most relevant achievements that align with the job description. Always double check your CV or get a trusted friend or family member to look over it for any spelling and grammar errors. By following these strategies, your CV will become a valuable document that you can use to highlight and demonstrate your ability for your next role, helping you to stand out and secure your next opportunity. Need expert CV advice? We can help you refine your application and find your ideal job. Get in touch today!

LinkedIn Poll Results - February 2025

by Simon Clark • 17 February 2025
In our latest LinkedIn poll, we explored what professionals believe is the key to building a resilient career in today's ever-changing job market. The results highlight significant trends and preferences that are shaping the ways individuals approach their professional growth and stability. Dominating the responses, 'Flexibility/Adaptability' was identified by an impressive 67% of participants as the most crucial factor. This overwhelming consensus underscores the importance of being able to pivot and adjust to new challenges, environments, and technologies. In a world where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt is invaluable and often seen as more critical than any specific skill. 'Continuous Learning' also received notable attention, garnering 25% of the vote. This reflects a recognition that ongoing education and skill development are essential for keeping pace with industry innovations and remaining competitive in the job market. Interestingly, 'Specialisation in Niche Areas' was seen as key by 8% of respondents, suggesting that while having a specialised skill set is beneficial, it may not be perceived as the most important factor compared to adaptability and continuous learning. 'Networking' received 0% of the vote, a surprising result that might indicate a shift in perception about the value of professional networks, or perhaps it reflects a belief that other skills outweigh networking in terms of importance for career resilience. Stay tuned on our LinkedIn channel on 1st March 2025 for our next poll.
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