5 questions you should ask during a new hire interview

An interview is a crucial part in building your team, so it's important to consider your questions carefully.

One of the biggest challenges for small business owners anywhere is finding the right staff. Not just ones who will turn up on time, but who will be all in on the business vision – serving customers with the same enthusiasm and representing the brand with the same pride as you would.  

That’s why the hiring process is so important for getting the right team on board. Here are some great questions to ask during the interview stage to help you find those key players.  

1. When was the last time you made a mistake at work, and how did you deal with it?  

Everyone makes mistakes at work. It’s only human to mess up sometimes.  

The important thing is how they managed it – did they immediately set about fixing it? Did they hand off the problem to someone else? Did they ignore it and hope it went away?  

The way they handled the issue should tell you a lot about how they will manage their mistakes at your company. As a follow-up question, you can also ask how they would avoid making similar mistakes in future.  

2. What do you imagine will be the hardest challenge in this role? 

This question will tell you a couple of things about your candidate.  

Firstly, it will tell you how much they have considered the job itself and your company. Every job and every company has its challenges, even if they’re only temporary. If the candidate doesn’t have an answer, they may not have spent any real time researching your brand, or thinking about the realities of the role.  

Secondly, what they consider a challenge may highlight what they believe is their biggest weakness for the position. Ideally, that challenge will be something you can overcome with training, time, or support.  

3. What is one skill you would like to improve in this role?  

A great employee is often one who is always seeking to improve themselves and their skills. This question should give you an idea of whether they are the type to coast along with the skills they have – or if they’re the type to always be on the lookout for ways to improve.  

Plus, should you hire them, this question will let you know what you can help them learn. By offering opportunities for training and growth in areas they want to improve, you may be able to build trust and loyalty that will encourage them to stay on the team for years to come.  

4. What will you miss and not miss about your current role?  

It’s considered to be bad form for a candidate to speak poorly about their current job – but their honest opinion could tell you a lot about how they view their work.  

One negative thing (what they won’t miss) will tell you what they might not like about your available position if the situation is similar. Or if you were to hire them, it might tell you what you will need to avoid to keep them happy, such as micro-managing or excessive overtime.  

One positive thing (what they will miss) will tell you what they appreciate most about an employer or their work culture, whether that’s a tight-knit team, staff perks, or the freedom to make their own decisions. It might help you determine if they will fit in well with your existing crew, and what you could work on or maintain to keep them happy.  

5. Do you usually attend work social events?  

This is a fun, light-hearted question, but it’s one that might tell you a lot about whether someone is going to enmesh themselves in the team or not.  

Of course, work social events are not compulsory. But in a small business environment, they can be important for team morale and bonding. Someone who usually attends will often be someone who gets along well with everyone, works well in a team, and can be a lot of fun to work with.  

And when times are stressful, a well-bonded team that works well together can make all the difference.  

Looking for more HR or hiring advice?  

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