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We are very busy at work so I have been handed the task of doing the initial phone interview with a potential candidate for a position we're trying to fill on our team. He'd be doing the same kind of work that I am so you'd think it would be easy but I am at a complete loss.
What are some good general questions to ask in a phone interview? My boss wants to do the in-depth technical test at the in-person interview so I think he just wants to get a feel for this person's overall demeanor and personality and their skill level, but I am not sure what questions to ask to ascertain this. I don't have great people skills.
The initial interview is a typically a "screener" to see whether the candidate would be a good fit for the role they're applying for. At this stage, it means that HR or their resume passed the test to move forward for an interview.
Unless the company wants you to ask specific things, I'd stick to the typical behavioral questions. You can first start out (to break the ice) with your usual "tell me about yourself" or "why do you want this job" questions. Depending on the position, I would cater your questions toward the job. For example, if the job requires working in a team ask them to tell you about a time when they encountered a resistant coworker or superior and how they overcame that obstacle.
As far as skills go, you can specifically ask about certain bullets in their resume as they relate to the position. Ask them what the did and what the result(s) was/were. You can ascertain a rough idea of their personality and experience level by the way they respond to certain questions and the way they sound on the phone. These are key things to focus on... Understand that anyone being interviewed will naturally be somewhat nervous so keep that in mind as well, but if they sound energetic, done their homework on the company/job, and are knowledgeable I'd consider that candidate.
Now from a job seeker's perspective, they want to know almost instantaneously if they did well or not after an interview and usually wonders if they'll be moving on to the next step. I suggest giving them a hint or even tell them outright that they'll be coming back for a second interview or not. Sometimes this requires approval of certain people and management at the company but if you have the ability to move them forward if they're a qualified and good candidate, I'd keep their nerves at ease and just let them know.
You should speak up and tell your boss you have no experience with this and are looking for some guidance. Interviewing is not an inborn talent that everyone has. You have to learn it.
I've had about 15 separate interviews these past 3 months (a few offers, so I've seen all levels).
I can tell you that when an interviewer is unprepared it really shows, and I think that it makes it a bad experience for both sides.
I can remember one (which I ended up getting an offer from) started with the guy telling me he doesn't interview often and if there was anything I wanted to tell him. So I talk about myself a little, he then says, "OK, well, I'm not really sure what to ask, do you have questions for me?" 10 minute interview, and I got hired off it! Declined though due to salary and work conditions.
Please don't sound like that!
Oh, and one thing I love is when interviewers can give me a very specific timeline for a callback, and stick to it... Another thing that's nice especially by phone, because sometimes it sounds awkward to ask as you are hanging up is to offer your contact information.
But like I said, be prepared, don't be worried to ask a follow up for clarification, and write your questions down! Nothing is more irritating than when you can hear the interviewer hasn't respected your time by adequately preparing.
--Confirm that they meet all of the requirements of the job. If not, identify their deficiencies (which will not necessarily disqualify them, merely rank them).
--Confirm their availability and that they are amenable to your company's hiring schedule and process. This includes the exam, which may cause some applicants to withdraw because of.
--Ask their expected salary range.
--Disclose next steps: time frame, selection criteria, when they will hear back from me, at all.
Now these are the questions I've typically asked, but that doesn't mean these are what your boss is looking for. You need to confirm what your boss wants before you go any further. Because even in this economy, your company is being interviewed as much as the applicants are, and as the chosen representative for your company, you need to be sure to give the proper impression to them. If you don't use the criteria your boss has in mind, then you have to redo the screening, or carry on and change the criteria mid-way through the hiring process. In doing so you will likely lose the best candidates, because their perception of your company will be dishonest, disrespectful of their time, uncommunicative, and disorganized. Even those who won't withdraw from consideration will be irritated with your company.
Also be honest in disclosing next steps. If you are only going to contact those selected for an interview, then tell them that. Don't say you'll call back in a week if you won't. In fact don't lie about anything. Arm yourself with as much information as you can, but if you don't know the answer to something, then just admit that, don't make something up.
Remember too, how well you perform in this task will reflect on you as well. Your boss' impression of you will be affected by your success or failure. And the roles may be reversed some day in the future too--the people you screen today may be the one deciding to hire you (or not) down the road, so be sure to leave the best possible impression with them.
I think he just wants to get a feel for this person's overall demeanor and personality and their skill level, but I am not sure what questions to ask to ascertain this. I don't have great people skills.
If it's a guy, you ask "do you want to be on top or on bottom" and if it's a chick, you tell her, "this is my teritory, you stay away from my men, all of them, understoon, bixxx."
Or, you could ask the traditional questions such as, what do you do for fun and what kind of music do you listen to. Wait...are we talking about interviews now? I am so confused.
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I've had my fair share of crappy/amateur interviews and really good insightful ones.
