http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/list/4.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
Here are few of my favorite questions;

"where do you see yourself in 5 years"
"Why did you leave your last place of employment"
"if you were in a room full of previous employees, what would they say about you"]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/6.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/6.page GMT
Much of it depends upon what you, as the supervisor, and the demands of the open position require. The ones I have found most useful over the years focus upon the applicant's natural tendancies (based upon the assumption that training can provide required skills.) 1. "After you saw this position was open, what about it made you want to apply?" 2. "What are the last couple of books you've read?" 3. "What is your favorite movie?" 4. "What specific aspects of real estate management do you like?" 5. "What specific aspects of real estate management do you not like?" 6. "Describe for me the perfect work day?" and 7. "How do you deal with an upset customer?"]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/21.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/21.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/26.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/26.page GMT
"Tell me why I should hire you?" In an employment interview where I had come to the conclusion that this fraile woman of maybe 90 lbs. and no previous maangement experience could fill the position she was seeking, I asked this this last question, "Why should I hire you?" Her answer turned the interview completely around. The answer was one that I had been seeking and hired her that day. The person ultimately proved to be one of my finest employees.

I remember seeing gasps on some of the employees faces and the comments about how I'd hired someone with no previous experience. Her answer to that question was so sincere that it made the air stand still. She said, "you should hire me because I will do what you ask me to do." Barbara Betty worked dilgently over her career at EBMC and I never felt once that I had made the wrong decision. Over the years the staff fell in love with her because she was a team player, never complained and always pitched in and help, nor did any of her clients express complaints about her work product.

I will always remember the day when another property manager ended up in the hospital suddenly. I had to try and make some sense of the property manager's office, it was every owner's nightmare. It would be a massive undertaking to try and figure out what was what. I remember Barbara as usual was by my side going through the paper work on the desk. Barbara started crying, I was so taken. She said, "why didn't they just follow your instructions." She was right and I should have addressed the situation long ago with this employee.

I think of her most often, she passed away when her home caught fire, she was still an employee at the time. So for me that one question has always stuck in my mind, "Why should I hire you."




]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/28.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/28.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/36.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/36.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/39.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/39.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/43.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/43.page GMT
Since the purpose of the test is to determine how an applicant will perform on the job, the only tests that are justifiable, in my opinion, are those that are either knowledge base, situational or behavioral an in all cases represent essential elements of the job.

While you can buy 1001 best interview questions, the applicant can by the companion book, 1001 best interview answers (no kidding, they do exist!). Better to understand what the incumbent did well and develop questions along those lines as well as questions in areas where the incumbent was challenged.

Lastly, ensure that you have "schooled" answers for each of these and a scoring instrument to evaluate all applicants against the smae criterion.

Good hiring!

Ray Venero, CPM, SPHR
]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/46.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/46.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/49.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/49.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/60.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/60.page GMT
where do you want to be in three years -5 years

many people want to get to that position what are you willing to do to achieve that plateau you desire

why are you leaving the firm you are currently with

and my favorite- since I know someone from almost every firm in my geopgraphical area

If I call jane doe, she is a friend of mine, what will she say about you
]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/63.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/63.page GMT
1. What irritates or displeases you most in other people?

2. Describe your perfect boss. If you were your boss, how would you handle your job differently?

It really gets people to think and believe it or not those questions have made a strong decisive decision for me in the process of hiring.]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/108.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/108.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/122.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/122.page GMT
"Great question....

I have learned a great way to screen applicants. Try to do an Internet search for their name such as with google. A month ago I screened 97 applicants and was down to my last two. Just before I was about to make my final decision, I 'googled' each of the applicants and was stunned with what I found.

One of the applicants had pictures on the Internet through myspace.com of her being drunk dancing on top of tables and making racial comments. When I 'googled' the second applicant, I noticed she was heavily involved in charity functions.

Needless to say which one I felt was best for my company."]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/212.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/212.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/213.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/213.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/214.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/214.page GMT
"Out of your last two (you chose) positions who is your favorite manager and why?

Least favorite and why?"]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/215.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/215.page GMT
For leasing. . . I ask them to take me on a tour. . .I also like to ask them what is important in a typical phone call. . .]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/594.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/594.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/853.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/853.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2202.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2202.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2211.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2211.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2242.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2242.page GMT
1. What do you consider your strengths?
2. What do you consider as one of your weaknesses?
3. Can you describe what your perfect supervisor would be like?

I give the applicant a chance to not answer immediately if they cannot think of a response. I do always go back to the question not answered by the end of the interview. The answers have proven to be very insightful.]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2244.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2244.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2261.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2261.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2303.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2303.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2304.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2304.page GMT
[url]www.pipl.com[/url]

I also check the usual stuff such as [url]www.myspace.com[/url] , [url]www.facebook.com[/url] , and [url]http://twitter.com/[/url]

This gives me a better way to interview someone and to tell if they are attempting to hide something. However, if they do not have any profiles setup, then it would be more difficult.]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2320.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2320.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2362.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2362.page GMT 1. Being able to learn quickly on the job is important in this office. Tell me about a situation when you had to pick up an essential skill quickly.

What was the skill you had to learn?
What led to this situation?
What did you do that helped you learn quickly?
What was the outcome of this situation?
When was the next time you used this skill? Tell me about it.
2. I’m interested in how you show initiative to go beyond everyday requirements. Give me an example of when you showed initiative on the job.


3. There are always times when things are so busy that your job is quite hectic. There are also times when there is less to do. Tell me about the slowest period in your recent experience, and how you filled your time.


4. Tell me about a time when you were able to help improve a work procedure by making good suggestions to your supervisor or co-worker.


5. Describe an experience in which you worked as part of a team


Describe your best and worst boss


]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2401.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2401.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2426.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2426.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2463.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2463.page GMT nbrecher@brecherassociates.com and I'll send a copy]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2473.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2473.page GMT
This question gives a candidate the chance to tell about themselves in a storytelling manner (not a simple yes/no response) and gives me an opportunity to understand how they think, and how they verbalize their thoughts. ]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2509.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2509.page GMT After looking at the resume and combined experience of an applicant, I want to see who the person really is beyond the nice print and style of a resume. I like to ask about their family, lifestyle and what they enjoy during leisure time. The interview is always relaxed and casual and I always ask the following questions:

1. Describe your worst and best boss
2.Tell me what it is that you believe that you brought as an individual to your last position which was different than another person
3.I have described the property for which you are interviewing , tell me what will be the first item of business for you to do
4.In your last managerial position, describe three times when you gave more than the job required of you
]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2524.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/2524.page GMT
I also flip this one on potential employers asking them what they would change about their company if they could. When people are caught off guard, you tend to get the most candid answers.
]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/3102.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/3102.page GMT
You know this question will be asked and you better have a good answer prepared. Yet we constantly dumbfounded by our candidates that "have no weakness"!]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/3111.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/6/3111.page GMT