Boston HR Consulting: Asking the Right Interview Questions
As a business owner, it’s important to know that federal and state laws prohibit prospective employers from asking certain questions that are not related to the job they are hiring for. Questions must always be job related and not used to find out personal information. This is one HR issue that is an important component of your company’s Risk Management profile, which is why it’s beneficial for you to invest in Massachusetts HR Consulting. In the meantime, here are some methods on just how to ask candidates the right interview questions.
Know which questions are out of line.
Illegal interview questions include anything inquiring about the candidate’s race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, or sexual preference.
Connect on a neutral topic.
For example, ask them about a general current event (I.E. Did you watch the basketball game last night?). This helps nervous applicants calm down, and builds a sense of trust. Ice breakers such as this can be a great way to learn more about the applicant, their interests, knowledge, and skills.
Ask them about a time when they had to overcome a major obstacle.
Whether their example is work-related or not, listening to how the candidate handles challenges is a good way to sense if they see themselves as a confident problem solver or a victim of extenuating circumstances.
Find out why they are interested in the position.
Too often, especially in today’s economy, people apply for jobs simply because they need a job. While this may be okay if you are hiring part-time or entry-level, if you need someone with experience you will also want them to have passion for the job.
These are just a few of the methods you can use to interview candidates. At Sinclair Risk & Financial Management, our staff has the ability to become an integral part of your organization, understanding your products and services, your culture, and your processes. This helps us to provide you with comprehensive Massachusetts HR Consulting Services. Please contact us to learn more at (877) 602-2305.