Adding a Team Member to Your Practice

Any time you’re adding a new member to your practice team, one of the best things to remember is to have a thorough interview process. Some people may choose to wing an interview, but if you’re considering multiple candidates, asking a consistent set of questions is crucial. It’s also important to be sure to ask the right interview questions. I recommend avoiding yes/no questions because it can give opportunities for nervous candidates to respond in a more minimalist way.

If you’re adding a new team member to your practice team, you’ll want to be sure to ask thoughtful questions that result in more insight about the candidate. Here is a list of some of my favorite interview questions:

1. What caused you to be interested in this position?
2. What parts of your work history have prepared you for this position?
3. Describe for me one or two of your favorite work accomplishments.
4. Why are you leaving your present job?
5. What things are important to you in a company?
6. Do you prefer working alone or in groups?
7. What are some things about previous jobs that have frustrated you the most?
8. What parts about your education or training are helpful for this position?
9. How does this job fit with your overall career goals?
10. What is the most difficult decision you’ve made in the last year?
11. How have you defined what doing a good job is?
12. Would you rather write a report or give it verbally/in person?
13. Who has been the most important person to you in your self development?

Hiring new team members is never an easy process. Having the right people with both technical and interpersonal skills is critical to your organization’s success. Asking the right interview questions is a great start in your hiring process. What are your favorite interview tips?