As I sit at my desk reading hundreds of resumes I’m getting more and more frustrated. I think to myself, did this applicant read the job posting? In most cases I feel like the answer is no, they didn’t read it. With all of the job boards that are available in today’s world it is too easy to apply for a job in mass quantities. I think the applicants are just submitting their resume in hopes of a phone call. Less than 2% of all of the resumes that I read are qualified for the job. I think I need glasses!!!!
SO WHAT DO WE DO?
First of all, it starts with the type of posting you put up and the qualifying questions that you ask to ALL applicants. Secondly, when you find a candidate that appears like he/she may be a fit, you have to ask a series of questions via a phone interview that will help you to identify if a face-to-face interview is going to be prudent, or a waste of everyone’s time. I enclosed a series of questions that may be beneficial to you and your hiring authorities. I also want to thank Dianna Atkins, Rise To Your Potential, for actually putting so much of her time into preparing these questions.
The success of The Call Center Group A-Z does not come from the job boards. You can’t forget about those sources but if that is all that you depend on, then your frustration of finding candidates and even retaining them is in jeopardy. We spend hours a day networking with other candidates and being part of social networks as well as staying in contact with our database of candidates.
Often times when I ask a hiring authority if they use staffing agencies, or recruiters, they respond to me, “No, we can’t afford to.” At times in-house recruiters or HR Directors look at us as competition or a threat to their job. That is not what we are about. If HR Directors would look at us as their ally then their job would be much easier and they’d have the time needed to really focus on the tasks at hand.
Interview Questions
1. What type of environment do you enjoy working in most?
2. Why have you been out of work so long?
3. Describe what things in your career are you looking forward to?
4. What do you think of your last firm, your last boss?
5. What do people criticize you about?
6. What does success mean to you?
7. Why are you currently looking for a position?
8. As you look back over your career describe a time you went through a major transition?
9. Can you describe a time in your career or life that you especially enjoyed?
10. Have you ever refused a job or promotion? If yes, can you describe it?
11. How would you describe your career to others?
12. How long would it take you to be productive?
13. Aren’t you overqualified for this position?
14. Will you be out for your boss’s job?
15. Describe a time that your coping skills were tested, what did you do?
16. All of us have pet peeves. What are yours?
17. Describe your major weaknesses? Assets?
18. What does your spouse think of your job?
19. If you were hiring an individual for this job what qualities or experience would you look for?
20. How well do you work under pressure? Can you give an example when you had to meet a deadline?
21. Can you give me an example where you have increased sales? Profits? Or reduced costs?
22. Can you describe the type of decision that is easy for you to make?
23. Can you describe the type of decision that is hard to make?
24. Can you tell me a time when you conformed to a policy that you did not agree with?
25. If you ever had to fire someone, how did it make you feel?
26. Describe a meeting when you were able to help solve a problem?
27. Walk through a negotiation that you are particularly proud of?
28. Have you ever worked with a group only to find that the group disagreed with you opinion(s)?
29. Sometimes you have to make a decision quickly, Can you tell me about a time a quick decision backfired?
30. Tell about a time when you found a process or operation was being done poorly and what you did about it?
31. Can you describe a time when you found yourself dealing with a sensitive co-worker?
32. Can you describe a time when you had to delegate an important task to someone?
33. All of us have had to deal with people who waste our time at work, can you tell me about a situation like that and how you dealt with it?
34. How do you go about learning new tasks?
35. Have you ever submitted an idea to your boss, only to have him not take any action on it?
36. Tell me about a meeting in which you had to deliver an unpopular decision, what did you do?
37. Can you describe what specifically you have done to set an example to other employees?
38. How would you deal with an employee that became belligerent at work?
39. How do you build motivation in your co-workers or subordinates at work?
40. How would you describe your management style?
41. How do you rate yourself as a professional?
42. What are you passionate about?
43. What is the most significant document or report you ever have had to complete?
44. Can you give me an example how your research skills helped you come to the right decision?
45. What makes you unique to others in your field?
46. What are your expectations in regards to salary?
47. What types of people do you enjoy working with the most?
48. Are you considering other offers at this time?
49. Tell me about yourself?
50. Can you tell me what you can do for this company?
If The Call Center Group A-Z can be of any assistance to you please contact us.
Happy Hiring!!!!
