Hiring has shifted a lot in recent years, and one thing that’s changed is the candidates have more control. With more options, some applicants have the luxury of being picky.
This means employers have to really work on dazzling their candidates and improving the overall experience of the interview.
What not to ask
One thing that’s essential to get right? The questions. If your questions are off, you could end up losing a great prospective employee.
A recent study by Resume.io reveals candidates’ most hated questions. Here are the things you’ll want to avoid asking:
1. “Convince me to buy this pen.” Nothing causes more stress than being forced to perform without warning. This type of on-the-spot challenge can rattle even the most prepared and talented candidate.
2. “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Not only do many candidates feel uncomfortable divulging goals and plans to a stranger, but this question is posed to women more often than men, which raises unconscious bias issues.
3. “Why should we hire you?” This question causes candidates unnecessary stress, since the purpose of the entire interview is for the employer to gauge whether they want to hire the candidate.
4. “Describe a time you failed and how you recovered.” People want to showcase their best sides in interviews, and this one can be tricky to spin in a good light. It’s best to skip it.
5. “Why do you want this job?” Often, candidates want the job simply because they have bills to pay. This question makes many applicants uncomfortable, and it forces some to come up with a lie.
