Regardless if you’re seeking a job or an employee there are two interview questions that will reveal everything about you or a candidate. The following two questions are asked to find out what an employee is really like. If you’re seeking a job, you should know about these questions in advance. Your answers will determine if you get a job or not. And, if you’re seeking to ask these questions then be prepared for the answers. You might have to turn away a candidate you really like.
1. Why did you leave your last job?
This question really isn’t about the reason. Finding out the reason as to why someone left a job is easy. It is how the person answers this question that counts. Let’s say someone was fired or someone quit. Are they positive about their former company or negative? What happens if you have to lay the person off in a year? Will he or she be bitter and talk nasty about your company? How the person answers this question shows their attitude in life and at work. Statistics show we will all be fired once in our lives. But, it is our ability to grow from the situation and remain positive that counts. Remember this when listening to an answer or giving one.
2. How did you find out about this job?
Chances are you advertised the position in some way. While knowing how a person discovered the job opening can be good for marketing purposes, most of the time it bares little weight on how the company runs. However, asking this question (and answering it) is very crucial. Why? Well, if a person answers that the job was discovered by a friend’s referral it could mean the person has a sense of entitlement. This isn’t always the case but it is to be considered. By answering “I heard about it through a friend and then I performed some research and decided I liked what was in your last press release (cite an example here)” the employer understands a lead from a friend isn’t being relied upon and there is truly an interest in the company. It also shows the candidate took some initiative as to really wanting the job.
Remember, never lie when providing an answer and don’t set up interviews designed to trick a candidate. Always remain positive and honest with answers and do your research on a company or a candidate.
