Questions that have proven to be helpful in hiring techs, supervisors, and managers. I hope they can help you in an interview:
You have to ask questions that identify different areas of skill and expertise you want and remember that most techs and supervisors get hired for their technical proficiencies and history and get fired or depart for their attitude, behavior and social skills. Not all, but more than for technical reasons alone.
Also be sure to know ahead of time if you are looking more for a mastery of tasks, interactions, and what balance of attitude, traits and skills you want on your team. Technical skills are usually acquired faster than soft skills. So, hopefully these questions to ask and avoid will help. Use what you like and disregard what you don’t. Can you tell me what brought you here today? What was the deciding factor for you to leave where you are and look? Can you describe a great work environment? What are some changes you think we should make in our industry? What type of team do you enjoy working with? What type of team to you prefer not to work with? What do you think your former Supervisor would tell us about you in a reference?
What makes an effective Supervisor or Service Manager? What do you want to accomplish in the first 30 days of this job? If we go to a vacant unit, can you walk me through what you look for and what your typical process is? Take them to the shop: Can you identify what these tools, equipment and parts are? Can you help me understand your troubleshooting process? How do you handle conflict? What are the traits and characteristics of a manager that you work best with? Worst? If we were to send you to any type of training, what would you benefit from most and what would you like to attend? How do you handle stress? How do you handle a disrespectful associate or resident? What three things are most important to you in your job? What is your management style? Who has impacted you most in your career?
Questions NOT to ask which also have no real purpose or insight. You will lose more people asking bizarre questions than you will acquire knowledge. Here are a few that are not too uncommon.
If you were a fruit, what type would you be?
If you were a “(anything) – superhero, animal, vehicle, etc. ”.
We are interviewing other people too, what makes you stand out from them?
What is your biggest weakness?
What is the worst thing you have ever done?
What do you dislike about yourself?
On a scale of 1-10 how honest are you?
Why should we hire you?
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Does the toilet paper roll unroll over the top or underneath?
I hope this helps and if you have any questions let me know. Mark Cukro President Plus One, Inc. 704-363-6236