New HR Executive Seeking Advice: What Questions to Ask and How to Assess Candidates?

Re: Questions that will be asked in HR round and decision-making points

Hi, I am working as an HR Executive in a software company, and I am new to the company. In the case of recruitments, what type of questions can I ask, and how can I analyze the character of the candidate? Please reply.

Regards,
Lakshmi.

Dear Lakshmi,

Please see the attachment. It will provide you with helpful information.

Thank you

Dear All, I am working in India's Apex Chamber as a Research Analyst for the past 2 years. Now, I am looking for a job change, but I am a little confused about the questions that HR people ask, like, "What is the reason you want to leave your current organization?" Please help me out with a suitable answer to this question.

Thanks,
Ravi

Understanding "You" and Assessing "Character"

The most ticklish question is to know what "you" are and to assess your "character." The best answer would be: For better prospects, or to develop knowledge and understand different procedures, which may inevitably differ from one company to another. Accordingly, I can develop myself by introducing the relevant procedures to the new company.

Expand and explain in your way in a pleasant manner, without hurting your present company nor creating any suspicion with the new company. Never accuse your present company nor belittle it. Common sense will play a major role in answering this type of question.

Common Interview Questions and the Best Answers

Some common interview questions and the best answers (well... mostly they work!)

1) What are your career goals?

- Here, the interviewer keenly analyzes your career goals and your focus towards these goals, then tries to match these with the organization's goals to check if they align.
- Touch upon your aspirations when you began your career.
- Highlight the milestones during your previous assignments, like job changes, skills picked up, various training programs undertaken, etc.

2) Why do you want this job or change your current job? OR Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Questions the interviewer is really asking:

- Will this job shift be a career move in the right direction for you and consequently the company?
- How clear are your goals?
- How do they align with the company's future directions?

- Both indirectly assess your short-term and long-term career goals and allow interviewers to judge whether this job change is in sync with your career plans. Being clear about what you seek from every job move will build confidence in the interviewer's mind about your commitment and drive, and hold your candidature on solid ground.
- Avoid the "me" centric answer and rather focus on this new company's working, how your experience and skills make you an ideal candidate, and how you share a clear vision of yourself with the company.

Warning:

You MUSTN'T come across as a smooth talker who wants to glide through the company gates on the skates of flattery. The recruiter wants to see what value addition will come from your end.

Hope that is helpful and gets you closer to getting that dream job of yours.

Cheers!!

Questions that will be asked in HR round and Decision-making points

- Tell me about yourself.
- Why have you chosen this job?
- Talk about a time when you had to overcome major obstacles.
- Is there interesting life in outer space?
- Imagine we've just hired you. What's the most important thing on your to-do list on the first day of work?
- Why did you get into this line of work?
- What are your future goals?

Cheers,
Ankan Ghoshal
Student 2010-2012 Batch
FOSTIIMA Business School