Interviewing Candidates can be rife with pitfalls. A few tips to stay out of them.
I took a day off work to travel to DC for an interview. I rode Amtrak, enjoying the smooth ride as trees and buildings passed by. I chose the quiet car so I could prepare for my interview in peace. It was a nice break from the city's noise. I thought about the questions they might ask and how I would respond. I also wrote down my questions for them. I was interviewing them as much as they were interviewing me.
When the train arrived at Union Station, I collected my things, hailed a cab, and we rode in silence to the interview. I was impressed as we arrived at the grounds. There was a beautiful golf course, tennis courts, and a swimming pool—everything a country club needed. The valet opened my door, and the CEO's executive assistant greeted me. She offered me water and made small talk as she showed me around. After a long walk, we reached the conference room where we waited for the rest of the group.
They had already told me a lot about the job, benefits, what they were looking for, and the challenges they faced. A mutual acquaintance had recommended me, so they knew about my past work. I felt confident I could do the job, even if it meant relocating to DC.
Six people were on the interview panel and they began with the usual question: "Tell me about yourself." I talked about my work history and skills. Each person asked their questions. Finally, the CEO asked his last series of questions and then unexpectedly asked if I was married. I paused, wondering if it was a test or if he was serious since it seemed irrelevant to the job. After thinking briefly, I replied that it wasn't relevant but no, I wasn't married.
They let me ask my questions, though fewer than planned, because I didn't want to waste their time. I thanked them and said I looked forward to hearing from them. I took the train back to New York and never heard from them again. That was okay because it wasn't the right job for me, and I wasn't right for them either.
Interviewing candidates for an open job is necessary for your company. Interviewing can also open up a can of worms if you ask the wrong questions. Err on the side of caution and ask appropriate, job-related questions to avoid potential problems. You may want to ask questions to see if someone is the right fit, to make sure they’ll be “a culture fit.” I’ve heard of some employers wanting to find “a buddy” in their applicant pool. Other employers want to hire people just like them.
When you know that you need to hire someone, these steps can help the process:
· Ask what are the must have skills and qualifications and the nice to have
· Create a job posting based on the necessary skills and qualifications
· Advertise the job across different job boards and locations
· Review resumes thoroughly for the necessary skills and qualifications
· Ask appropriate and job-related questions
I’ve included a few inappropriate and appropriate questions below for reference. It’s not an all-inclusive list, but a good start.
| Inappropriate Interview Questions | Appropriate Interview Questions |
|---|---|
| Are you married? | Are you willing to travel or relocate if the job requires it? |
| Do you have children or plan to have children? | Are you able to meet the job's scheduling requirements? |
| What country are you from? | Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? |
| How old are you? | Are you over the age of 18? |
| What religion do you practice? | Are you available to work weekends or holidays if needed? |
| Do you have any disabilities? | Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation? |
| What’s your sexual orientation? | What motivates you in a professional environment? |
| Have you ever been arrested? | Have you ever been convicted of a crime that is relevant to this job? |
| What’s your maiden name? | Have you worked under any other name relevant to your work history? |
| How do you manage child care? | Can you meet the job’s attendance requirements? |
| What’s your native language? | What languages do you speak or write fluently relevant to this role? |
| Do you smoke or drink? | Are you able to adhere to our workplace policies and conduct standards? |
Note: Always ensure that your interview questions are job-related and compliant with equal employment opportunity laws.
