Interview Questions Employers Should Avoid

Employers use the interview process with the hope that they will find the perfect candidate to fill an open position. However, the reality is that a candidate that looks perfect on paper may not be the right fit. One of the most important things you can discover during the interview process is what the employee is passionate about. One of the primary reasons employees remain in their jobs and thrive is that they find the work interesting and challenging.

• Avoid asking questions such as “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” This type of question may help you understand the candidate’s goals, but all candidates answer this type of question in a way that relates to the position they are applying for and your company. They are afraid to discuss talents or interests that do not fit within the job. Thus, it is better to give a hypothetical question such as “if you had $100,000 to start a new business, what would you choose?” This type of question allows the candidate to be open and honest with their answer without the fear of looking uninterested in the position they are applying for.
• Asking a candidate to describe his or her weaknesses leads to the interviewee to answer in a way that puts them in the best light possible. In other words, their weakness will be something that could be a positive (such as they work too much, they are a perfectionist, etc). You may obtain more helpful information by asking what the candidate is skilled at doing but that he or she does not enjoy doing.
• When you ask a candidate what motivates them, you are likely to get a prepared answer such as helping others, money, challenges, and such. However, you will gain more insight by asking the candidate what is his or her ideal work environment. Ask if they like to work with others, with noise or quiet, and what characteristics they like in a supervisor.
• Many employers ask candidates what they are passionate about. However, a candidate will tailor the answer to fit the position they are applying for or to match your company’s values. You can typically gain more insight by asking a candidate what they enjoyed most about past jobs.