Reliability in the workplace is important for every business. How can you interview job candidates for reliability and learn about their work ethic before you make an offer? Below are five questions to ask every candidate.
Questions to Determine Reliability
The examples below provide a basis for interview questions that help determine a candidate’s reliability. You can adapt the questions or create new ones to match your business needs. Beneath each question is types of responses that can reveal a positive, or a problematic, work ethic.
What convinced you to leave your last job or look for a new one?
Positive Responses
Provide examples of successes and accomplishments
Include expressions of satisfaction from completing projects and readiness for a new challenge
Provide details about what the candidate liked about the position
Problematic Responses
Include complaints of low pay
Express boredom at work
Complain about management
Give an example of a time when you went out of your way to resolve an issue at work. What were the results, and who benefited from them?
Positive Responses
Provide details
Clearly state results
Relate tangible benefits
Problematic Responses
Avoid giving an example
Are generic
Include complaints about management
Describe a time when you missed a deadline or failed to follow through. Who was affected? How did you correct the situation? What did you do to help prevent it from happening in the future?
Positive Responses
Provide details of a missed deadline
Acknowledge how the candidate was at fault
Give a clear indication of what the candidate learned and how they worked toward improvement
Problematic Responses
“I always leave on time. I can only do so much in a day.”
Place the blame on someone else
Before you say your work is finished, what do you do to ensure you’ve done your best?
Positive Responses
Reveal the candidate has a system to review work and catch errors
Express willingness to spend extra time to ensure work is correct
Indicate willingness to ask for assistance when needed
Problematic Responses
Include complaints about processes and the inability, or lack of time, to check work
Express over-confidence
Reveal a “nobody else cares, so I don’t care” attitude
Tell me about a time you had to follow directions or guidelines that you didn’t agree with.
Positive Responses
Show directions were followed
Indicate suggestions for improvement were offered later
Reveal a positive attitude was maintained
Problematic Responses
Imply directions were ignored or bypassed
Give evidence of anger or frustration
Include negative comments about guidelines or the management team
Experts at Finding Reliable Staff
Screening and interviewing job candidates—and asking the right questions to reveal a person’s reliability—take a lot of effort. At WSi, we understand the details that matter in finding top talent to meet your business requirements and respect your work culture. Contact us today for expert assistance in finding the right staff.