Many CNC machine shop owners tell us they have a hard time finding dependable, competent workers, and sometimes hire people that seem to have good experience but end up being a bad fit. Part of the problem is that we may not look deeply enough into the character of a potential new hire. Obviously you’ll want to learn about the person’s job experiences and skill sets, but you also need to get a feel for such traits as work ethic, loyalty, honesty and integrity. The references the applicant gives you are likely hand-picked and may not be forthcoming about these attributes.
With that in mind, following are 7 key interview questions to ask a potential new hire. Carefully listening to the answers should enable you to make better hiring decisions.
- Tell me about yourself. Listen carefully and let the person finish before you say anything. The answers can give you insights into the person’s self-image, and the positive traits they want you to see. Do they focus on work only, or do they also reveal what kind of person they are? How does the answer mesh with your company culture, the nature of the position and the people they’ll be working with?
- Why are you applying for this position? Clearly you’re looking for an answer that says more than “I need a job.” Does the person display any knowledge of your company and what it does? Do they communicate any passion for the kind of work you do? Do they see this as an opportunity to contribute and grow within your organization?
- Tell me how you would… This is an opportunity to test the person’s ability to solve problems related to the position. Give them a hypothetical situation that is likely to occur in their first months on the job. For example, if a process breaks down, equipment fails or a customer delivery deadline is in peril. How the person answers will also give you insights into whether they can see the bigger picture, or only focus on their immediate role.
- Tell me about a success you’ve had in your present or past job. This question goes to how the person defines success and if he or she shares credit with the other people involved. It can also reveal problem solving capability, leadership qualities and independent thinking.
- What would your current/previous employer say are your greatest strengths? This question puts the “personal strengths” question into a different perspective. We all think we know our own strengths, but thinking about it in this context should make the person consider how others see them, and may bring out some other factors, such as if the person feels they weren’t able to demonstrate some of their strengths in the current or previous job.
- What would your current/previous employer say are your most important areas for improvement. Again, this shifts the focus and may reveal an honest understanding of shortcomings or the inability to accept criticism.
- What would you like to ask me? Hopefully the person will ask questions related to the company and the position that indicate an honest interest in the work and working environment. If all they ask about is how soon they’ll get a raise and how much vacation time they can take this year, it’s not a good sign.
Once you have the right people on board, your Torrance Haas Factory Outlet can see to it that your people have the CNC machines they need to make your shop even more successful. To learn more call (310) 381-0750, email: jphillips@haasfactoryoutlet.com, or visit www.haasfactoryoutlet.com.