I love this question because you get to know the candidate on a more personal level. You start understanding what really motivates and drives them, which will lead to a much deeper career discussion. This business is about relationships and those start with an initial phone call, so let’s make them as valuable as possible.Edgin Levy, assistant vice president
This gives candidates an opportunity to share something that is not on their resume. It allows them to showcase their abilities outside of the job duties and description. Their answer shows hiring managers how they work and how they may have been able to think outside of the box; it helps paint a picture of the person before they meet.People love to talk about accomplishments, and hiring managers love to hear them!Jessica Alexander, recruiting manager
Asking this question allows the candidate to talk about the impact they had on their company and/or department. It gives you the opportunity for follow-up questions to learn more about their background and character.Since this question isn’t commonly asked, it can catch candidates off guard. That also gives you a glimpse of how quickly they can think on their feet.Stacey Bowman, recruiting manager
This question helps me understand the candidate’s motivation for leaving, which ultimately assists me in discovering what is most important for their next opportunity.Donavan Manning, practice director
This is my favorite question to ask. It gives me an idea of what they might be looking for from a company culture perspective. It also helps build a collaborative relationship between the candidate and me. Often, I can relate to the candidate’s answer, which solidifies our relationship and builds trust.Morgan Crawley, practice director
One of my first questions to nearly every candidate is, “Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?”This is a powerful question for a multitude of reasons. It allows the candidate to let their guard down and have some friendly rapport before diving into deeper questions. This gives me a chance to get to know them on a more personal level outside of career-focused questions. This often leads to learning why a candidate truly might be seeking a new opportunity. Building good rapport is the key to building a solid relationship that is mutually beneficial for both parties.Chris Chunn, vice president
One of my favorite questions is: What sets you apart from every other professional that does what you do?Candidates need to highlight their key accomplishments effectively and the value they bring to an employer. They should think about this ahead of time and be ready to sell their skills confidently.Lindo Gharib, district president
This will tell you some of the following attributes and more:If they are collaborativeTheir thought process when working to complete a projectHow they reacted to obstaclesIf they are deadline-drivenIf they took a leadership role on the teamIf they opted to be an individual contributorIf they have presentation skillsEmily Sullivan, vice president, permanent placement
Finding out what truly motivates a candidate not only aids in finding the right job for them but also helps them think deeply about their passions and reasons for making a career change. Since life changes can be difficult for many individuals, finding their triggers helps ensure the new opportunity will not only be exciting but will have a long-lasting positive result.Megan Rogers, recruiting manager
