The most annoying thing recruiters have to deal with is an uncommitted and time-wasting job candidate.
You know who I mean; the ones that seem really interested in the role, say all of the right things and then at the last moment, when you offer them the job, they decide they're not interested.
- Perhaps for completely legitimate reasons.
- Perhaps because they get given a counter-offer.
- Perhaps because they chicken out of leaving their current place.
It’s so annoying and common, in fact, that many recruiters (including ourselves) have started asking targeted questions, to find out whether someone is actually really serious about the role.
Or whether they’re likely to flake further down the line!
So if this is the kind of thing you’ve had issues with in the past, then here are the kinds of questions you could (and should) be asking.
Commitment Interview Question 1:
“So, what aspects of the role do you think you’ll like? And which will you dislike?”
Ok, this is kind of a cruel question!
But it will give you a little bit of insight into how much the candidate will actually enjoy the role once they start. And whether they truly understand what they’ve applied for.
If they’re excited about the bits of the role they’ll be doing quite often, then that’s great. But if they’re not (and even say they’ll dislike those bits) then they’re going to have issues.
The perfect candidate will remain positive about all aspects of the role (no complaining) but will show passion for the bits that will be their main responsibilities, in particular.
For example, a great answer for a customer service job would sound like:
“Well, I love the social aspects of my job so I’m really looking forward to getting to know and building relationships with customers and helping them with anything that might crop up. If I’m honest, I don’t particularly love filling in paperwork, but I do so much of it at the moment, it’s become second-nature.”
Light-hearted and balanced answers like the above show that they understand that there are some parts of the role that they may not love, but that’s life. It also shows that they actually understand the role and what it entails (warts and all).
Commitment Interview Question 2:
“If we offer you the job, how long do you think you’ll stay here?”
Now, obviously, you don’t want to hire someone who’s going to show up, get trained and then waltz off to another company – or go travelling etc.
So this question may just reveal whether they’re serious or not.
(Of course, they could just fib, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on their body language too while they answer all of these questions).
For example a good answer would sound like:
“I’m looking to settle down somewhere where I can see a future for myself and unless circumstances change, I’d like to think your company is the right one to offer me that.”
You don’t want a candidate who just says “forever” as this is a bit unrealistic. People grow and circumstances change, it’s ok, that’s life.
Recruiter Pro Tip Use your gut with this one. Are they really that serious? Do they genuinely seem passionate about the role? Is their body language excited and passionate or resigned and nonchalant?
You’re looking for someone who is genuinely interested in progression, but who is also ready to settle down and stick with your company.
Commitment Interview Question 3:
“So why do you think this job would be different/better than your current job?”
This is a good question because it should reveal why the job candidate is actually looking for a new job in the first place.
They must have a reason for wanting to leave and they must think that your company would be better for some reason.
Perhaps they’re just looking for more money or a promotion, but why at your company? What made you stand out? Or are you just one of the ones who got back to them?
You want a job candidate who has researched the role and your company and who is genuinely interested in becoming a part of it.
If they can’t give any reason, then there’s a big chance they’re not really that bothered; perhaps they’re just looking for any job they can get or maybe they attended your interview on a whim.
Worst case scenario, they’re leaving their current position because of something untoward.
A great answer will sound something like this:
“Well, I’m hoping to join a more creative team who are always looking for new opportunities and ideas and having looked at your website, social media and now having met some of the team, I feel like your company is the right place for me.”
Some candidates may shoot themselves in the foot.
They may admit that they’re desperate, they may start badmouthing their current employer or they may say they’re looking for something you can’t actually offer them (like opportunities for progression).
It’s really important that you don’t hire someone if you can’t offer them what they’re looking for. You will just end up losing them in a couple of months and having to find someone else new!
Commitment Interview Question 4:
“What did you like about your last job?”
Firstly, you don’t want a candidate who says “everything” (so… why are you leaving?). Secondly you don’t want a candidate who says “nothing” (why so negative?).
What you’re looking for is someone in-between; a balanced answer that reflects some of things the new role will offer.
So a great example might sound like this:
“I loved the rest of my team. We all got on really well and there was a lovely atmosphere.”
This is a great answer because it shows that they get on with other people very well and value good working relationships. And hopefully, your team also get on very well…
Commitment Interview Question 5:
“What do you know about the company?”
Another way to test a candidate’s commitment is to see how well they prepared for the interview.
A committed, passionate and proactive job candidate will have taken a lot of time, prior to the interview to find out more about the company. So the above question, along with the following…
- “Who are our competitors?”
- “What do you know about the role?”
- “Tell me what you think about your culture.”
…should be easy-peasy for them to answer.
If your candidate gives a generic answer that doesn’t really tell you anything about your business (that isn’t immediately obvious) then it’s pretty obvious they’ve not done their research.
And if they haven’t done their research, are they really passionate about getting the job?
You can even go a step further with this kind of question and really dig deeper into the amount of preparation your candidate has done…
Commitment Interview Question 6:
“What did you like or dislike about our website?”
Asking a more specific question like the one above or something like this…
- “With our ethos in mind, tell me why you think you’d be a good fit for our business?”
- “What are the differences between our company and your current/past company?”
- “Did you read about {insert a popular piece of industry news} this week?”
…will give you more of an idea on how prepared your candidate is (and therefore how passionate they are.)
These are much tougher (because they’re so specific) so it is worth bearing in mind the kind and seniority of the role when you consider asking them.
And you should definitely be impressed if your candidate can answer these.
Commitment Interview Question 7:
“Do you have any questions for us?”
There’s a reason why recruitment guides, blogs and consultants always advise you to end with this question. A candidate who’s passionate and committed to taking on the role will already have a bank of sincere and investigative questions ready for you.
They’re likely to ask questions that reveal how well they’d fit into the position, the team and the culture and will attempt to find out more about the depths of the business.
(As opposed to someone who asks about holidays, hours and pay.)
So for example, they might ask:
- “Could you give me any examples of projects I will be working on?”
- “Am I right in saying that four directors started the business? How did that happen?”
- “What training opportunities are available for staff?”
So basically, just questions that show a real, genuine interest in the role.
Summary
It can be really frustrating when you lose a candidate, last minute (especially if you’ve actually gone to the trouble of making them an offer).
But look on the bright side!
At least you didn’t hire them, train them and then lose them after a couple of months. That would be much more frustrating (and expensive!)
If you’d like to find out more about how to spot time-wasting candidates earlier in the process, check out this blog: 13 Warning Signs That a Job Candidate is Wasting Your Time.
Or if you’d like to receive a quick weekly update with the latest, feel free to subscribe to our blog here.
