Job interview questions

[KeithTalent]

Someone will be leaving my department at the end of April and I am now going through the process of hiring a replacement. The first interview is setup for this afternoon and I'm trying to write down some questions, but I'm struggling to come up with interesting things to ask. Generally I just ask about previous employment, schooling, I also usually try to ask what they do for fun outside of work (you know, hobbies, etc) just to see what kind of personality they have and to get them to open up a bit.

So what I'm looking for are some good interview questions to get me through the 7 interviews I have lined up over the next week, with more to come possibly. The position I'm filling is an accounting position, but I'll take any and all questions because I'm sure I can mold them to something useful.

Hit me with what whatever you have ATOT!

Thanks!

KT

 

[SoulAssassin]

What is the job they are interviewing for?

 

[sdifox]

Generally speaking, I don't care about the answer, rather how they answer it. Behavioural interview if you will.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
What is the job they are interviewing for?

It's an accounting position, but the actual title is "Revenue Coordinator".

KT

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Generally speaking, I don't care about the answer, rather how they answer it. Behavioural interview if you will.

I feel the same way. I mean you can teach the technical stuff, but you're stuck with the personality.

KT

 

[sdifox]

Here is a couple of questions that will help you gauge an accountant. If they answer too fast, it's canned. I don't believe canned responses.

"What do you perceive as the shortcomings of the GAPP?"
"Impact of SOX on Canadian companies"



edited for typo.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Here is a couple of questions that will help you gauge an accountant. If they answer too fast, it's canned. I don't believe canned resposes.

"What do you perceive as the shortcomings of the GAPP?"
"Impact of SOX on Canadian companies"

Cool, thanks.

Any good personality gauging questions?

KT

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: sdifox
Here is a couple of questions that will help you gauge an accountant. If they answer too fast, it's canned. I don't believe canned resposes.

"What do you perceive as the shortcomings of the GAPP?"
"Impact of SOX on Canadian companies"

Cool, thanks.

Any good personality gauging questions?

KT

I do 2 interviews, first one to find out if the person can do the job, second is with a bunch of people whom the candidates will work with. If everyone thinks they can work with this person, you are good.


Another question is "What do you feel about the Ontario CA's refusal to recognise CGA?"

Also, I like to ask them what they know of the company they are applying to and what their perception of the job is.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

In terms of the company's mission, what is the goal of the accounting department?

If they can answer beyond the purpose of accounting in general, you've got a winner!

 

[mh47g]

"Touch my leg"

 

[GasX]

describe a difficult situation you had with a coworker and how you handled it.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Someone will be leaving my department at the end of April and I am now going through the process of hiring a replacement. The first interview is setup for this afternoon and I'm trying to write down some questions, but I'm struggling to come up with interesting things to ask. Generally I just ask about previous employment, schooling, I also usually try to ask what they do for fun outside of work (you know, hobbies, etc) just to see what kind of personality they have and to get them to open up a bit.

So what I'm looking for are some good interview questions to get me through the 7 interviews I have lined up over the next week, with more to come possibly. The position I'm filling is an accounting position, but I'll take any and all questions because I'm sure I can mold them to something useful.

Hit me with what whatever you have ATOT!

Thanks!

KT

I was told by an HR type that I have to be very careful with questions like that, so I just avoid them altogether.

 

[RKS]

Ask him if he has ever been 'hit on' in a job interview or if an interviewer has ever 'lost themselves in his eyes'. That should stir things up and gauge his personality.

edit: or just use the old stand-bys: do you like to climb trees, do you like gladiators, ever seen a grown man naked, etc.

 

[oogabooga]

What's the experience level? You can always tell them to talk about their previous employment and see how they respond. Or if they are recently graduated ask them about their schooling, favorite class, least favorite class, etc. You can usually tell if they are being candid or if they're giving you a canned response.

 

[GasX]

2 Part Question:

Part 1: If you went camping in the woods and woke up with a used condom dangling from your ass, would you tell anyone?

Part 2: Want to go camping?

 

[sdifox]

oh,oh, throw in Plane on Conveyor Belt

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Here is a couple of questions that will help you gauge an accountant. If they answer too fast, it's canned. I don't believe canned resposes.

"What do you perceive as the shortcomings of the GAPP?"
"Impact of SOX on Canadian companies"

Actually it's GAAP not GAPP. Anyways, as an public accountant, I believe those questions may be too technical. I would stay with more casual questions.

 

[Xavier434]

Just don't ask the "What is your biggest weakness/flaw/etc?" question.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: sdifox
Here is a couple of questions that will help you gauge an accountant. If they answer too fast, it's canned. I don't believe canned resposes.

"What do you perceive as the shortcomings of the GAPP?"
"Impact of SOX on Canadian companies"

Actually it's GAAP not GAPP. Anyways, as an public accountant, I believe those questions may be too technical. I would stay with more casual questions.

It was on purpose... I tell ya, some of the ones I ran into didn't catch that... I don't think it's the technical side I am after, I want to see thinking. I don't expect a perfect answer, rather, a rational one.

P.S. GAAP is crap.

 

[child of wonder]

Ask what they liked about their old job?

 

[mugs]

You go into the break room and see the coffee pot is overflowing and the coffee machine is still brewing. What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?

(Shamelessly stolen from Citrix (the AT poster))

 

[KeithTalent]

Some good and absolutely hilarious (lots of overtly gay stuff too, very funny) suggestions here (love the camping one), thanks. :thumbsup:

I was wondering about the "outside of work" questions, but I think it's ok as long as it is phrased properly. I don't always ask it either, it depends on the person and how receptive I think they will be.

I just had the first interview and it was just ok, I did ask about what he liked about his old job, but I definitely did not ask the biggest weakness question or where do you see yourself in 5 years as those are just dumb in my opinion.

I'll try to incorporate more for the upcoming interviews.

Cheers,
KT

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Some good and absolutely hilarious (lots of overtly gay stuff too, very funny) suggestions here (love the camping one), thanks. :thumbsup:

I was wondering about the "outside of work" questions, but I think it's ok as long as it is phrased properly. I don't always ask it either, it depends on the person and how receptive I think they will be.

I just had the first interview and it was just ok, I did ask about what he liked about his old job, but I definitely did not ask the biggest weakness question or where do you see yourself in 5 years as those are just dumb in my opinion.

I'll try to incorporate more for the upcoming interviews.

Cheers,
KT

I would be thrilled to work for someone like you.

 

[thepd7]

http://www.google.com/search?h...view+questions&spell=1

 

[TheoPetro]

im developing a multi-position (field workers, office staff, etc) hiring process currently and I would definitely consult with an employment attorney. There are so many "you can ask this but not that" things its disgusting.

something that were implementing that may help you is a personality test. myers-brigs (spelling?) type of thing.