📜 Qualification: essential interview questions

Here is a list of essential questions to ask your candidate during the qualification phase.

General questions:

• Why are you considering leaving your current position, or why did you leave it?
• What do you expect from your next employer?
• Are you ready to resign immediately?
• Have you already started looking for a new job? When did you start?
• Where have you applied so far?
• Are you currently involved in any other interview processes? What were the results?
• What types of positions and in what sectors are you looking for?
• What are your expectations in terms of title (Director, Manager, Senior, etc.)?
• Do you have expectations in terms of managerial responsibilities?
• In which regions/countries are you looking for opportunities?

If the candidate needs to move:

• Have you already discussed the issue with your family?
• Have you looked into the possibility of sending your children to school?
• Have you ever lived in the destination country/city?
• Do you have any friends or relatives there?
• Do you have all the necessary documents to obtain a work permit? (provide the necessary information to the applicant)
• When could you move?
• Have you considered both your notice period and the practicalities of moving?
• Would you be moving with your family directly, or would you move first? If so, would your spouse be looking for a new occupation too?

In the event of a longer journey to work:

• Have you ever made such a journey?
• If so, for how long?
• Have you discussed this with your partner (who picks up the children from school, does the daily chores, etc.)?

Current salary package:

• Fixed salary?
• Variable/bonus? How is it calculated? What were your last two bonuses?
• Car allowance or company car? For business use only or private use as well? Is it a blocking criterion if it is not provided or just for pro use?
• Benefits in kind? Please specify the monetary value of each benefit (e.g. health insurance, family insurance, life insurance, pension participation, luncheon vouchers, participation in train/petrol transport costs, children's school fees, etc.).

Desired salary package:

• Fixed salary ?
• Total compensation including benefits?

Minimum salary sought:

• "Since we're on the same team when it comes to salary negotiation, I need to know your minimum limit to filter out positions you wouldn't consider. What's the minimum fixed salary you'd be willing to accept?"
• "If I have a position that fits your profile perfectly, but can only offer a salary of [mention a salary 10% lower than the salary you're looking for or corresponding to your current salary], would you consider it or is it pointless to talk to you about it?"

Languages:

• What languages do you speak and write?
• What is your level of proficiency in each language?
• Have you taken any language proficiency tests?
• In what contexts do you currently use these languages?

Professional background:

For each previous position, please discuss:

• Job title / Tasks performed?
• Working environment?
• Why did you leave this position?
• What were your main achievements or contributions in this role?
• How did you use your specific skills in this context?

Availability for interviews:

• What is your general preference for interview times (flexible, early morning, lunch, evening, etc.)?
• Can you provide 2-3 available time slots for the coming week? I will schedule interviews with my customers as soon as possible.

Qualification of the candidate's skills and experience in relation to the position:

• What are your key skills in relation to the position I'm going to introduce you to, and more specifically on the must-haves?
• Can you describe the context in which you applied these skills?
• Have you achieved concrete results using these skills?
• What specific achievements or projects can you highlight?
• Do you have any certifications or training relevant to these skills?

Previous professional experience:

For the most significant experience relevant to the position, please provide the following information:

• What was your title?
• What were your main duties?
• Why were you recruited for this position?
• What have been your main achievements and contributions in this role?
• How did you achieve these results?
• What specific skills did you use in this context?

The aim is to focus on the most relevant experiences and delve deeper into specific achievements and skills that are directly related to the position for which you are being presented.

"By asking these questions, we can better assess your fit with the job requirements and highlight your key skills when presenting to the potential employer."

Explaining the consultant's role to the candidate:

"In the context of these positions consider me as your agent to defend your interests; "we're in the same boat" / "your success is mine".

To enable me to provide you with the best possible support, here's what I expect of you:

• Be available for me, as far as possible: we can't always answer calls, but in order to be effective in the support, availability by SMS or call back as soon as possible.
• Debrief me after interviews: this will enable you to provide rapid feedback to customers and help support your motivation for the job.
• Be transparent with me: keep me informed of any new processes or updates in your ongoing interviews. If you have any questions or doubts, don't hesitate to discuss them with me.