How to Ask Interview Questions that Actually Matter

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When a job candidate walks into your conference room, start by asking yourself, “Is this candidate more prepared for this interview than I am?” Too many businesses riddle candidates with random interview questions that might as well be answered by a Magic Eight Ball.

“On a scale of 0 to Spock, how logical are you?”

“If you could be a dinosaur, which one would you be?”

“Which Bee Gees song describes your life?”

If that’s how you plan on acquiring a great employee, well… “Outlook Not So Good.” But not to worry! This 90-second slice should do the trick! Will you learn a strategic method for asking better interview questions?  “Signs point to yes!”

Click to tweet this: Chuck the “Magic 8 Ball” when interviewing job candidates. Focus on traits intead. @DaveCrenshaw

Video transcription:

When it comes time to hire new employees, many business owners ask random questions. It’s a bit like shaking the magic eight ball and then asking whatever question comes up.

Instead, we want to have a strategy to ask consistent questions so that we can measure all candidates against each other.

First, you need to clearly define the traits required by the position. The personality characteristics, not the skills.

Then ask SAR questions—Situation, Action, Result. So, for example, let’s say we’re looking for the result of flexibility. We would ask the question, “Tell me of a situation in which you needed to be flexible. What actions did you take? And what were the results of those actions?” Then we’d give the person a score of zero to ten, depending on their answer.

So ,I’d like you to share in the comments section below: what’s one trait you need every employee in your business to have? And share one question [for that trait] that’s based on either situation, action or result.

Also, if you have a question you’d like me to answer in a future video, ask that below as well.

Thanks for watching. Now go ask strategic questions.

Join the conversation: What’s one trait you need every employee in your business to have? And share one question [for that trait] that’s based on either situation, action or result.

I respond to every question and comment. So, please, join the conversation!


Does your organization lack organization? Dave’s practical approach can rebuild your business from disarray and focused on getting results. Download Dave’s newest book, The Result: A Practical, Proven Formula for Getting What You Want..
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