Comments on: I Need Your Help. I Am Looking For Some Great Interviewing Questions! http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/ The thoughts and experiences of Merrill Dubrow Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Merrill Dubrow http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58659 Merrill Dubrow Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:12:19 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58659 Ed, Great question - for the record I would hire anyone who was caught doing this and also would admit it! Thanks for putting a smile on my face and having my entire office laughing hysterically! Merrill Ed,

Great question – for the record I would hire anyone who was caught doing this and also would admit it!

Thanks for putting a smile on my face and having my entire office laughing hysterically!

Merrill

]]> By: Ed Sugar http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58648 Ed Sugar Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:33:12 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58648 Here is one I picked up from this blog last Friday: "Has Carrot Top ever caught you text messaging during one of his performances?" Here is one I picked up from this blog last Friday:

“Has Carrot Top ever caught you text messaging during one of his performances?”

]]> By: Amy Shields http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58644 Amy Shields Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:01:41 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58644 While I think the ones I use are all probably out-dated as well, I find a couple of them to be very effective. I love to ask what appeals most to a candidate about the position they are applying for, then follow that up with what appeals least to them. Granted, most of the positions I interview for are more entry-level and not of a sales nature, but I have definitely made a decision to NOT hire and TO hire based on the answers to these questions. It's along the same lines of asking "Why our/this company" in terms of the responses. It lets you know how much homework they did about the company and position. I also love to ask, open-ended, "What best motivates you"; this has always provided a nice glimpse into how the candidate works in a team environment, if they have a positive work style, etc. I think it's great to come up with new and exciting ways of interviewing but also think there are some questions that are tried and true and that always provide valuable insight. While I think the ones I use are all probably out-dated as well, I find a couple of them to be very effective. I love to ask what appeals most to a candidate about the position they are applying for, then follow that up with what appeals least to them. Granted, most of the positions I interview for are more entry-level and not of a sales nature, but I have definitely made a decision to NOT hire and TO hire based on the answers to these questions. It’s along the same lines of asking “Why our/this company” in terms of the responses. It lets you know how much homework they did about the company and position. I also love to ask, open-ended, “What best motivates you”; this has always provided a nice glimpse into how the candidate works in a team environment, if they have a positive work style, etc. I think it’s great to come up with new and exciting ways of interviewing but also think there are some questions that are tried and true and that always provide valuable insight.

]]> By: Greg Roth http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58642 Greg Roth Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:49:04 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58642 To understand how someone thinks and how they break down challenges, I ask a question such as, "how man stop lights in Manhattan?" I'm not looking for an accurate answer, just how they break it down. For instance, ibn Manhattan is ~ 10 blocks wideand ~100 blocks long with 4 stoplights per intersection which comes to 4,000 stoplights. You can substitue many things in place of stoplights and Manahattan, but anytical thinming is what you are driving towards To understand how someone thinks and how they break down challenges, I ask a question such as, “how man stop lights in Manhattan?” I’m not looking for an accurate answer, just how they break it down. For instance, ibn Manhattan is ~ 10 blocks wideand ~100 blocks long with 4 stoplights per intersection which comes to 4,000 stoplights. You can substitue many things in place of stoplights and Manahattan, but anytical thinming is what you are driving towards

]]> By: Kristen Darby http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58639 Kristen Darby Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:32:41 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58639 This is very helpful as I'm about to conduct second interviews and needed some fresh questions. My first interviewees get (the first two are particularly interesting)... "In the past 3 years, what part of your professional skill set have you improved the most?" "What is your definition of working too hard?" "Describe a program or initiative that you designed and implemented that you are proud of." "Describe a program or initiative that you led that did not go as well as you would have liked and explain why you believe it didn’t." "Describe a work environment that is/was positive and productive for you." "Describe a boss that you particularly liked or didn’t like and why." This is very helpful as I’m about to conduct second interviews and needed some fresh questions. My first interviewees get (the first two are particularly interesting)…
“In the past 3 years, what part of your professional skill set have you improved the most?”
“What is your definition of working too hard?”
“Describe a program or initiative that you designed and implemented that you are proud of.”
“Describe a program or initiative that you led that did not go as well as you would have liked and explain why you believe it didn’t.”
“Describe a work environment that is/was positive and productive for you.”
“Describe a boss that you particularly liked or didn’t like and why.”

]]> By: Kelly Heatly http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58637 Kelly Heatly Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:05:36 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58637 I think your first bullet above is great, but I would also add, "What would your clients say about you?" When interviewed, I've been asked how I would handle a specific, challenging situation, such as: "It's 5:00, and a very important client calls requesting something...etc. How would you handle this situation?" I think this question not only reveals work style, degree of professionalism, and experience, but also shows how the candidate can think on his/her feet (because it's a tough question to answer on-the-spot). I think your first bullet above is great, but I would also add, “What would your clients say about you?”

When interviewed, I’ve been asked how I would handle a specific, challenging situation, such as: “It’s 5:00, and a very important client calls requesting something…etc. How would you handle this situation?” I think this question not only reveals work style, degree of professionalism, and experience, but also shows how the candidate can think on his/her feet (because it’s a tough question to answer on-the-spot).

]]> By: Paul Kirch http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58633 Paul Kirch Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:51:48 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58633 Using the K.I.S.S (Keep it simple stupid) method in mind, I think a really compelling question, that I like, helps uncover their motivation. Are they just after a job or are they really wanting to work for you? I ask the question, "Why Common Knowledge Research?". It is surprising the answers you get and you'll also uncover how much they know about your firm (did they do any research). Since I'm generally interviewing sales people, or business development professionals, the hope is that they did some due diligence. Another question, which I was once asked, "name a negative trait you inherited or learned from your family and how it impacts you in business." Then follow up with, "name 2 positive traits you inherited or learned from your family and how you APPLY them to business." These are more personal, but can really uncover some unexpected responses. Using the K.I.S.S (Keep it simple stupid) method in mind, I think a really compelling question, that I like, helps uncover their motivation. Are they just after a job or are they really wanting to work for you? I ask the question, “Why Common Knowledge Research?”. It is surprising the answers you get and you’ll also uncover how much they know about your firm (did they do any research). Since I’m generally interviewing sales people, or business development professionals, the hope is that they did some due diligence.

Another question, which I was once asked, “name a negative trait you inherited or learned from your family and how it impacts you in business.” Then follow up with, “name 2 positive traits you inherited or learned from your family and how you APPLY them to business.” These are more personal, but can really uncover some unexpected responses.

]]> By: Barry Packer http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58632 Barry Packer Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:45:17 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58632 Merrill, Having been a writer and a manager, there have been many questions I have posed. Among my staple questions are: "Does losing hurt more than winning feels good?" "What makes you stand out above anybody else who I have interviewed?" "In what way would your previous experiences benefit you here" "What is one thing you want to change professionally" "What makes you as good as you are?" Barry Merrill,

Having been a writer and a manager, there have been many questions I have posed. Among my staple questions are:
“Does losing hurt more than winning feels good?”
“What makes you stand out above anybody else who I have interviewed?”
“In what way would your previous experiences benefit you here”
“What is one thing you want to change professionally”
“What makes you as good as you are?”

Barry

]]> By: Lance Hoffman http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58631 Lance Hoffman Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:42:22 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58631 Are you interviewing for salespeople? If so, I've been taught it's always good to ask a question about money. Something like "What was the last big purchase you made? How much was it? How long did you investigate before making a decision?" I really like this question, because you get a chance to gauge a few things: Are the comfortable talking about money? If they are, then that's a really good sign. If they are NOT, then how do you think they will handle it when dealing with a client who's telling them about their "limited finds?" Also, it tells you something of their lifestyle, and what they view as a lot of money, which is also good, since it lends itself to an idea regarding the type of money they will need to make (assuming they are willing to work for it). I also like the idea of asking about what sports they may have played in HS and/or College, which lends itself to seeing if they are a competitive individual, which I find to be a key indicator in being a good salesperson. Are you interviewing for salespeople? If so, I’ve been taught it’s always good to ask a question about money. Something like “What was the last big purchase you made? How much was it? How long did you investigate before making a decision?” I really like this question, because you get a chance to gauge a few things: Are the comfortable talking about money? If they are, then that’s a really good sign. If they are NOT, then how do you think they will handle it when dealing with a client who’s telling them about their “limited finds?” Also, it tells you something of their lifestyle, and what they view as a lot of money, which is also good, since it lends itself to an idea regarding the type of money they will need to make (assuming they are willing to work for it). I also like the idea of asking about what sports they may have played in HS and/or College, which lends itself to seeing if they are a competitive individual, which I find to be a key indicator in being a good salesperson.

]]> By: Mark Sutin http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58630 Mark Sutin Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:40:28 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/07/i-need-your-help-i-am-looking-for-some-great-interviewing-questions/#comment-58630 How do you respond to failure? What goals have you set for yourself that were not met and why It is always easy to get people to claim how successful they are and why they are great hire, but I think it is more important to judge the character of a person when they need to face obstacles, and how they handle it How do you respond to failure?

What goals have you set for yourself that were not met and why

It is always easy to get people to claim how successful they are and why they are great hire, but I think it is more important to judge the character of a person when they need to face obstacles, and how they handle it

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