What to ask at job interview
Discussion
I've put an advert out for a self employed bathroom fitter to work for me but have never needed to interview anyone before, so wondered if you have any pointers? Should I ask personal questions about family and health etc? So far there are 2 applicants, both with East European sounding names. Their CVs sound fine but what would I request from them as proof they are legally able to work in the UK? Passport number? Bank details? I've no idea!
You are not meant to ask about family, marital status etc.
I find some general questions such as "tell me a bit about yourself" usually sends people off down the right road.
My normal questions are:
Tell me a bit about yourself?
What do you enjoy about the job?
Do you see yourself doing this in another 3 years?
How do you deal with difficult customers?
What hobbies or pass times do you have?
I generally then ask some technical questions and a bit about their work history usually involving the previous machinery they used.
I also ask if they have any holidays booked in the next 6 months and if they have passed their medical (legal requirement).
I always get references.
Never take on the first person you interview and never offer them the job there and then always wait for the references. I also take a view on their transport arrangements so where they live and what type of vehicle they have. I.e if they have a moped and are coming from 35 miles away it might not work well!!
If they are in the trades then ask around most people know each other as they are on site together a lot. See who knows them and if they have any associates or priors which you are not happy with.
I find some general questions such as "tell me a bit about yourself" usually sends people off down the right road.
My normal questions are:
Tell me a bit about yourself?
What do you enjoy about the job?
Do you see yourself doing this in another 3 years?
How do you deal with difficult customers?
What hobbies or pass times do you have?
I generally then ask some technical questions and a bit about their work history usually involving the previous machinery they used.
I also ask if they have any holidays booked in the next 6 months and if they have passed their medical (legal requirement).
I always get references.
Never take on the first person you interview and never offer them the job there and then always wait for the references. I also take a view on their transport arrangements so where they live and what type of vehicle they have. I.e if they have a moped and are coming from 35 miles away it might not work well!!
If they are in the trades then ask around most people know each other as they are on site together a lot. See who knows them and if they have any associates or priors which you are not happy with.
If they are self-employed, you could suggest that you want to see their van and kit - are they suitably equipped to represent your company values?
Ask to see their books - how much are they spending on supplies - are they just dabbling?; why do they want to work for you?
Some practical questions like - woman complains about noise in loft when she flushes toilet. How would you investigate?
Give them a thermostatic shower valve and ask them to remove the cartridge.
I am sure you can think of better examples.
Good luck
Ask to see their books - how much are they spending on supplies - are they just dabbling?; why do they want to work for you?
Some practical questions like - woman complains about noise in loft when she flushes toilet. How would you investigate?
Give them a thermostatic shower valve and ask them to remove the cartridge.
I am sure you can think of better examples.
Good luck
Thank you for your suggestions. It might sound like such a simple thing to do to many, but I'm 52, never had to be employed by anyone myself and never needed to employ anyone either, so I'm completely in the dark with this sort of thing! I do have other operatives but they came through friends and family so their histories etc. were quite well known and they weren't likely to be hiding anything for fear of family/friends embarrassments.
As someone said earlier in the thread self employed but working for you doesn’t sound right and will probably not work under IR35.
https://www.rossmartin.co.uk/employers/essential-k...
https://www.rossmartin.co.uk/employers/essential-k...
t!My friend recently advertised for an experienced administrator in a certain specialised field.
He got MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED APPLICATIONS!!!!
Most of them were nonsensical. (some were fairly hilarious, most just sad really)
Apparently the DWP forces its 'clients' to prove they've been seeking work. This mainly involves making a list of applications they've made for any job that's advertised, regardless of the applicant or the job's suitability. This accounts for >90% of the 'nonsensicals'.
So the first question, after asking their name and where they live just to make sure they remember it, might be "have you ever in your entire life either fitted a bathroom or worked with someone who fitted bathrooms"?
How they answer might determine how the interview progresses.
He got MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED APPLICATIONS!!!!
Most of them were nonsensical. (some were fairly hilarious, most just sad really)
Apparently the DWP forces its 'clients' to prove they've been seeking work. This mainly involves making a list of applications they've made for any job that's advertised, regardless of the applicant or the job's suitability. This accounts for >90% of the 'nonsensicals'.
So the first question, after asking their name and where they live just to make sure they remember it, might be "have you ever in your entire life either fitted a bathroom or worked with someone who fitted bathrooms"?
How they answer might determine how the interview progresses.
As an employer you have a statutory duty to ensure they have a legal right to work in the UK.
If they are genuinely self employed, you still need to ensure they aren’t illegally in the UK.
Do they have professional indemnity insurance ? Would they need it ?
Don’t ask about family, ask instead about what was a difficult job they worked on, and how they overcame those problems
If they are genuinely self employed, you still need to ensure they aren’t illegally in the UK.
Do they have professional indemnity insurance ? Would they need it ?
Don’t ask about family, ask instead about what was a difficult job they worked on, and how they overcame those problems
renmure said:
Alex said:
Randomly throw half the CVs in the bin. You don't want to hire someone who's unlucky...
I chuckled loudly at that 
On a more serious note; if you’re not sorted OP (i.e. you’ve not developed your questions and marking templates), drop me a note. Have you also thought who will interview alongside you?
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