Regardless of how many interviews you have conducted, getting to know candidates can be a challenge. You seldom have more than an hour to assess a candidate, which isn’t long, considering the investment you will be making in them. The difficulty is that candidates want to make the best impression and may be reluctant to answer in a way that provides the truest sense of who they are. Here are a few tips to get at the reality behind the words.

What kind of questions do they ask?

Are their questions well thought-out? Look for candidates who incorporate previous conversational points into what they bring up. You want to hire people who are thoughtful and creative. If they don’t display curiosity or ask questions that will help them discern if the opportunity is right for them they, may just be saying what they think you want to hear.

Are they forward thinking?

“Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” can be a tough question to answer. Some candidates may be very ambitious; others prefer to fly by the seat of their pants. Don’t eliminate either candidate out of hand. The most appropriate answer may depend on the nature of the job.

Are they complainers?

If a candidate can’t tell you why he left his last job without talking about how bad his boss was or how vexing the corporate red tape was, you may want to pass on offering employment. Most job seekers know that they should do their best to stay positive and upbeat in interviews. If he can’t keep his negativity under wraps for an hour, he’s probably a real peach to work with.

Are they self aware?

The “what’s your biggest weakness” has evolved into a “gotcha” that most candidates can navigate around without accidently being honest. Try asking where their last supervisor would say that they could improve. They may be a little more thoughtful and forthright and you may actually learn something valuable about them.

Will they fit into your culture?

Ask them what frustrated them in previous jobs. If they say feeling rushed, they may not be a fit for your fast-paced culture. If they say interruptions, you may want to think twice about including them in your collaborative workplace. Ask questions that are designed to uncover their working style and decide how well they will mesh with your current team.

At Staffers, we understand the importance of finding candidates who are the whole package! Just a set of skills is not enough. You need people with the attitude and experience to make your company great.  Contact us today to learn more about our services in Jackson and beyond!