Clichés, platitudes, completely useless. What are we talking about? About some traditional questions used in job interviews. These are so notorious that anyone can rehearse the answers and all they need to do to find them is open an internet search engine. So why do recruiters ask these questions? Is it not just a waste of time?
This question has recently been asked on the UK server HR Review, which came to a surprising answer: even the most hackneyed questions have a deeper meaning and recruiters still can use them meaningfully once they have learnt how to analyse them in the correct way. Here are a few examples:
"Tell us something about yourself."
Not using this question would mean not seeing a candidate's actual communication skills, their level of modesty or, conversely, their excessive ego.
"What is your greatest weakness?"
A good candidate will use this question to demonstrate their strengths by simply talking about how they have managed to turn their weaknesses into advantages.
"Why do you want to work for us?"
How else would you like to check whether a candidate knows something about you and has a genuine interest in working for you?
"Where do you envisage yourself in five years?"
The answer to this may reveal everything from the candidate's ambition, egoism or knowledge of your corporate structure to awareness of their own strengths.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
Each candidate should be given the opportunity to badmouth their former boss and employer. Let the candidates show themselves.
"Do you have any other questions?"
Yes, this really is one of the biggest clichés to conclude the interview. But do you really want to skip it? This question will help you determine whether or not the candidate has been listening to you.
Do you use these questions in your company, or do you think they do not reflect anything and it is better not to waste time with them?
-kk-