Life Under a Magnifying Glass: Interview Qs!

I think in our lives we all in some form or fashion feel that we are being viewed under a magnifying glass... and as an HR Director... I do just that. One of my duties in Human Resources is staffing.... this includes the wide range of recruiting, creating and providing job postings for mass search engines, contacting local universities, and of course the ever-loved interview!

For the past three years after graduation, this has been a large part of my work schedule... and because I feel that in today's economy we all have either been through our share or are currently going through the process to better ourself in the work place.

It was through Yahoo that I found a great article about 5 Must Ask Interview Questions provided by the Wallstreet Journal. I felt it was my duty to share those with you.

1. In what ways will this role help you stretch your professional capabilities?
This question is the reversal of the ever so common question... what are your greatest weaknesses? This question would prompt a candidate to describe skills that he/she wants to improve and goals that the individual would like to achieve.

2. What have been your greatest areas of improvement in your career?
This is another question that discusses a person's weaknesses. It allows the interviewee to tell about his/her career histories and ambitions

3. What is the toughest feedback you've ever received and how did you learn from it?
This question shows the ability of the candidate to learn from previous mistakes.

4. What are people likely to misunderstand about you?
This question reveals social intelligence and the ability to understand others and their perceptions as well as to adapt to the situation.

5. If you were giving your new staff a "User's Manual" to you to accelerate their getting to know you process, what would you include in it?
This lets the candidate to reveal his/her work/managerial style.

Definitely try to learn from many of these questions. HR professionals get the same material you do... and know when a red flag pops up. Be you, be personable.... and understand that the job has to be just as good of a fit for you as you are for the position.

Love,

Your HR Prof