Page 104 - Boost Your Hiring

90 Boost Your Hiring IQ

ANSWERS
The Strongest Answer

(A) This is the strongest answer because it provides a specific ex-
ample of how this candidate works in a fast-paced environ-
ment.This answer also conveys many other skills such as good
communication skills, taking the initiative, coordinating proj-
ects, and managing time in an efficient manner. You could
probe to get more information about any of the skills men-
tioned to get isolated examples of each trait.Try asking,“What
was the largest project you ever coordinated? Tell me about it.”
This answer also has a strong theme of doing above and be-
yond what was called for and doing whatever it takes to get the
job done. These traits are to be valued in an employee because
they are skills that cannot be taught.

The Mediocre Answer
(C) Although this answer gives an example of “a time when,” it
fails to provide any details that would demonstrate the indi-
vidual’s skills or explain the contribution this person made.
With a few probes you could walk the candidate through this
example and get the information that you need. Try asking,
“Where specifically were you working when this happened?”
or “What was your role in the project?”

The Weakest Answer
(B) This candidate states some skills that are good to possess, but
she doesn’t share anything specific. Note that this answer does
share some redeeming traits worth following up on, such as
being “involved in as many as 10 projects at the same time.”
Another statement to possibly probe more deeply into is, “I’ve
never had an assignment on which I haven’t been able to meet
the deadline.” Make sure that there is some evidence to back
up these great claims of performance under pressure.

RATE YOURSELF
If you chose answer (A), give yourself 5 points.
If you chose answer (C), give yourself 3 points.

If you chose answer (B), give yourself 0 points. _____