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Hey Peeps - I'm in the process of hiring a receptionist for my office - it's been a (LONG) while since I've done any interviewing so thought I'd ask the most diverse crowd I know

For the Interviewee:

What questions are just plain stupid and you hate having to keep answering?

For the Interviewer:

What questions tell you the most about the interviewee in order to make an "intelligent" decision on whether to hire or not or that tells you the most about that person?

Thanks for helping a girl out

PHAW Webmistress wrote:What questions are just plain stupid and you hate having to keep answering?

"Where are your pants?"

Poor PHAW!

Depends, how big are her.... oh nevermind, you can't ask that.

Just steer clear of personal questions and be sure to call the references. Listen to the tone in which the person giving the reference speaks in.

I always hate when the interviewer asks me about compensation. They know I'm going to up the number and I know they know. Why bother? Just tell me how much you are going to pay me and then I'll tell you that I need more.

Be sure the person you are hiring has a friendly voice on the phone. Maybe even let them answer the phone for a few minutes to see how it goes. One of my customers hired a receptionist who was very curt on the phone. Needless to say, she didn't last long.

land_shark3 wrote:Depends, how big are her.... oh nevermind, you can't ask that.

Just steer clear of personal questions and be sure to call the references. Listen to the tone in which the person giving the reference speaks in.

I always hate when the interviewer asks me about compensation. They know I'm going to up the number and I know they know. Why bother? Just tell me how much you are going to pay me and then I'll tell you that I need more.

Be sure the person you are hiring has a friendly voice on the phone. Maybe even let them answer the phone for a few minutes to see how it goes. One of my customers hired a receptionist who was very curt on the phone. Needless to say, she didn't last long.

Thanks Babyboy!! the last part of course is the most important of course having to say SHAMES-MAKOVSKY REALTY COMPANY about 200 times a day might deter some peeps

PHAW Webmistress wrote:For the Interviewer:

What questions tell you the most about the interviewee in order to make an "intelligent" decision on whether to hire or not or that tells you the most about that person?

Thanks for helping a girl out

Wanna hump?

The question that I always hated was “What is the one flaw, quality, or character that you possess.”
How do you answer that????

LIPH wrote:

PHAW Webmistress wrote:For the Interviewer:

What questions tell you the most about the interviewee in order to make an "intelligent" decision on whether to hire or not or that tells you the most about that person?

Thanks for helping a girl out

Wanna hump?

smart a$$

Capt.Flock wrote:The question that I always hated was “What is the one flaw, quality, or character that you possess.”
How do you answer that????

I agree

PHAW Webmistress wrote:What questions are just plain stupid and you hate having to keep answering?

I hate the question, "What are some of your weaknesses?" or just the generic, "So, tell me about yourself."

When I was a senior in college 30 years ago I actually had a guy ask me "If you were a box on a shelf how would you get somebody to buy you?" WTF

LIPH wrote:When I was a senior in college 30 years ago I actually had a guy ask me "If you were a box on a shelf how would you get somebody to buy you?" WTF

Well, what was your answer?

rednekkPH wrote:

LIPH wrote:When I was a senior in college 30 years ago I actually had a guy ask me "If you were a box on a shelf how would you get somebody to buy you?" WTF

Well, what was your answer?

I remember the question because it was so off the wall but I don't remember what I told him. Probably "what kind of drugs are you taking and can I have some?"

For the Interviewer:

What questions tell you the most about the interviewee in order to make an "intelligent" decision on whether to hire or not or that tells you the most about that person?

"In 10 words or less, who is Jimmy Buffett?"

PHAW Webmistress wrote:Thanks Babyboy!! the last part of course is the most important of course having to say SHAMES-MAKOVSKY REALTY COMPANY about 200 times a day might deter some peeps

Easy solution to that and I'm surprised no one else suggested it. Just have her answer S&M Realty. Think of the increase in business!!!

Tiki Bar wrote:"In 10 words or less, who is Jimmy Buffett?"

Mr. & Mrs. Buffett's son.

I would help, but the last couple of times - the questions I chose, and the resulting employees - didnt work out too well

I was interviewing for a job at Best Buy and they asked me what my definition of competition is. I thought it was kinda weird. My favorite questions are what are your strengths and weaknesses?

Hi Phaw! Interviewing. . how fun!

You know all the questions you are not 'supposed' to ask. . but you can sometimes get the answers you want by asking around them. .

You can not ask about children or child care - but you can say. ."This job sometimes includes evenings and Saturdays. . would this be a problem?"

You can not ask about marital status or age - but you can ask "How would you like to be addressed? or Are you over 18?"

When I have interviewed students for a job - I have asked, what time are you finished with classes? If the answer is 3 ish. . it indicates that time is not important to them. Or if they ramble on how it varies from day to day. . it tells me they are either looking for flexibility in their schedule for other activities - or they just can't get to the point!

Ask some of the canned questions. . "Tell me about yourself, or why do you want to work here". . if they haven't even taken the time to prepare a canned answer. . you don't want them.

What other positions are you considering?
What are your career goals?
What were some of your significant accomplishments in your last job? Your biggest challenges?
(They may be standard questions. . but you are really trying to find out their personality, whether they are detail oriented and if they can do the job. If creativity is important. . then ask one of those questions "If you were a tree. . what kind of tree would you be?" It is off the wall - but maybe you want to see how they react to the many stupid questions they may get on the job.)

Check references!! It says a lot if someone has only provided personal references - or none of their past supervisors. While they can not say anything negative about the candidate - you can confirm employment dates and ask "Would you hire this person again?" They do not have to explain the "No". . but do you need an explanation?

Ask open ended questions to get an idea of their personality, train of thought and eye contact.

And they should have questions for you. If not. . it shows lack of effort/interest in the company.

If all that fails. . hire the cutest guy that applies! There is a lot to be said for "eye candy"!!

Do not ask...where do you want to be in 5 years...... #1 you won't like the answer and #2 It is just so overused!

I prefer more situational interviewing. Like...If this and this happens...how do you handle it.

If your company tests...be aware that some people just stink at tests...or get very nervous and fare poorly. Ask them to bring in samples of work as an alternative of judging their efforts.

You said this is a receptionist position right? I assume it involves phone work, greeting clients, sorting mail, typing etc.... take each task and try to have some kind of situation where you can see their skills.

Something that many people use now is called job shadowing... bring them in to sit with the person currently doing that job. 3-4 hrs is standard. This allows them to see hands on what the job entails, ask questions, and make an impression. You only have to pay them for it if you hire them. make sure they know that.