Interviewing potential employees can be tough. You only have a limited amount of time to figure out whether the candidate is the right fit for the role. It’s important to learn about job seekers’ skills and experience, but many employers forget that reliability is also extremely important. Here are a few questions to help you decide whether a potential employee is reliable.
Tell Me About a Time When You Had to Handle a Tough Situation at Work
This question tells you a lot about a person’s motivation and dedication to finishing the job, which are core aspects of reliability. Did they ask for help? Dig deep and persevere? Or give up altogether? You’re looking for someone who has the grit to keep going, but also the humility to understand when they are in over their head.
How Do You Prioritize Your Tasks When There’s a Lot on Your Plate?
Another important element of reliability is knowing how to prioritize. A reliable employee understands that not all tasks are of equal value, and knows how to get the most critical things done. Above all, this question can help you understand whether they will stay cool and collected when things get crazy.
What Would You Do if You Realized You Didn’t Have Enough Time to Finish a Project?
Communication is a key part of reliability. You want someone who will be honest with you, avoid cutting corners, and keep working to finish the job. A reliable employee is also able to recognize problems early on and take steps to mitigate the situation, such as bringing in a coworker to assist.
How Do You Define Reliability in an Employee?
There are no right or wrong answers here, but this question can help you assess fit. Reliability has many components, and each person will see it slightly differently. You want an employee whose definition is similar to your own, which will minimize misunderstandings down the line.
Interviews are your opportunity to get to know candidates and assess whether they’re truly right for your organization. Armed with the questions above, you’ll be able to judge each potential employee’s reliability as part of the interview process.
Ready to hire?
Trying to scale up your team? Turn to SURESTAFF today!