Do You Still Use Interview Questions These Days?

Human resource books are irrelevant nowadays. When every company in the country is closing down, downsizing or outsourcing – who would need all of these books about hiring and keeping employees?

Reading Jeff Haden’s article on inc.com entitled “3 Interview Questions That Reveal Everything” gave me such a thought.

In the article, Haden interviews Accolo CEO John Younger who has probably interviewed thousands of people for the cloud recruiting solutions company. Quoting Haden directly on the mechanics of this hiring style:

Here's how it works. Just start from the beginning of the candidate's work history and work your way through each subsequent job. Move quickly, and don't ask for detail. And don't ask follow-up questions, at least not yet.

Go through each job and ask the same three questions:

1. How did you find out about the job? 

2. What did you like about the job before you started? 

3. Why did you leave?”

I absolutely agree that having an applicant answer these questions will reveal a considerable amount of information about the interview whether it’s good or bad which I think is very important. As a solopreneur, I know that hiring people to join my team would feel like entrusting them with one of my most priced possessions. It would always be a risk to be taken – continuing on the solo path means slower growth for my business venture but having someone to help me with certain tasks such as bookkeeping and other administrative work can enable me to focus more on the things that truly matter.

Going back to my question earlier – who would benefit from these hiring techniques in this digital age? Well, I would most certainly recommend these questions to other solopreneurs, freelancers and consultants to help them document their projects well to get better ones in the near future.

Here’s how you can use them:

How did you find out about the job?

In documenting previous work opportunities, being able to relate how you found a job can be a valuable asset. Were you referred by a previous client? Is this a repeat project from a satisfied employer? Having this information ready for future employers to see can help strengthen your credibility in the in what you do.

What did you like about the job before you started?

This question will serve you well in showcasing your skills, expertise and preferences in your work. This is important for any solopreneur because it greatly helps in creating a focused career. Taking every project handed to you by fate is alright when you are starting up but still do so after about 5 years in the industry gives prospective employers a reason to doubt your expertise as you don’t have a niche.

Why did you leave?

You may choose not to provide this information but for the sake of tracking your professional progress, it is best to evaluate every project when they end. Note the criticisms as well as the praises you receive for a project and reflect on them afterwards. Use this set of information to improve yourself.

With the global economy still struggling to survive, employees should not be afraid to jump in the see of opportunities and go solo. Though freelancing or starting a business is not for everyone, it is a great avenue for learning and growth.