1. Why are you excited about this position?
The candidate should be able to give a meaningful answer that indicates they’ve done their research, and understand the position.
2. What do you love most about (accounting, finance, fill in the blank with the discipline)?
This is the job purpose test. Their role will ultimately connect to the larger purpose of your business. They should be able to tell you what their purpose is and how they will impact the organization.
3. When in your life have you been so passionately focused on what you were doing that you lost track of time?
The answer the interviewee gives should tell you if they are going to be a person who is passionate about what they do. In fact, it should tell you that they are so passionate about their role, they can’t stop.
4. If you could start your career over again, what would you do differently?
This reveals a candidate’s decision making ability. It also gives them the opportunity to share what they would like to see in the future based on previous experience.
5. If we are here a year from now reviewing the year and its successes and difficulties, what would you say we achieved together?
A hiring manager hopes to hear about how their role has impacted the strategic vision of the entire organization, and that they have done enough research about the business to answer this question.
6. What things do you not like to do?
You may have to ask this question in a few different ways to get an honest answer. This is the best possible way to get a candidate to tell you something like “ I don’t enjoy being thorough,” or “I find checking my work is a waste of time.”
7. Tell us about a time when things didn’t turn out the way you had planned.
For instance, a promotion you didn’t get, or a project didn’t go the way you wanted. Does the candidate blame themselves? Do they then take responsibility and explained what they learned and how they’ve applied it moving forward? Do they explain it by citing team deficiencies, and don’t take any of the liability? Or do they take it in stride and explain why they grew from the outcome? Their answer will likely demonstrate how they will handle setbacks in the future.
in conclusion
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