Top 9 Questions to Ask as an IT Interviewer
Posted June 18th, 2019
When you are hiring for an IT position, you need to make sure that the candidate possesses more than just the required technical skills. You also need to assess how they react to challenges, interact with others, communicate, and much more.
If you are an IT interviewer, here are nine questions that can be you valuable information about a job seeker’s soft skills and other capabilities.
1. Describe a Time When You Had to Explain a Technical Concept to a Non-Technical Stakeholder
This prompt allows you to gauge how a candidate communicates with individuals who aren’t as tech-savvy. Since most IT roles require working with stakeholders or customers who aren’t well-versed in technical concepts, it gives you insights into their communication skills in those situations.
2. Tell Me About a Time You Had a Conflict with a Coworker. How Did You Resolve It?
Even in the most cohesive teams, conflict will occasionally arise. Understanding how a job seeker addresses conflict in the workplace allows you to hire individuals who approach problems in an appropriate manner.
3. Can You Describe a Technology Trend That Intrigues You?
This question lets you ascertain whether a candidate stays abreast of new developments in the tech arena. Since technology changes rapidly, knowing that the job seeker remains up-to-date is a must. Similarly, if their response is enthusiastic, you can gauge their passion for the field.
4. If One of Your Team Members is Underperforming, How Would You Address It?
IT team members often have to rely on one another to complete shared goals and projects. Knowing how a candidate would address an issue with an underperforming teammate gives you insight into their teamwork capabilities as well as their personality.
5. Describe Your Most Challenging Project. How Did You Navigate the Difficulties You Encountered?
When you ask this question, you can learn about how the candidate acts when faced with adversity or challenging situations.
6. Tell Me About a Time When You Missed a Deadline. What Happened? Were You Able to Recover?
Many things can derail a project. By learning about how the candidate addressed a situation where they missed a deadline and the steps they took to get back on track. Plus, if they own up to how their actions caused them to miss the deadline, you have a clear example of their accountability.
7. If You Had a Chance to Develop a New Skill or Improve on an Existing One, Which One Would You Choose and Why?
This question allows you to find out about a candidate’s possible weakness without asking the traditional question. Similarly, it gives you insights into the job seeker’s interests, which is also valuable.
8. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
While this question may seem cliché, it does serve a purpose. If the candidate describes being in a role that isn’t a logical step forward from the one you are looking to fill, they may not be particularly passionate about the field. However, if they do discuss a job that aligns with the role, you have learned a bit about their professional goals, and you can determine if you can help them on this journey.
9. Can You Describe Your Ideal IT Manager?
This question allows you to determine if your management style aligns with their needs. Additionally, it gives you clues into what you may need to do to help them thrive if you select that candidate.
Get Help With Hiring by Contacting Bayside Solutions!
All of the questions above can be valuable additions to your interviewing repertoire. If you’d like to know more, the team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our hiring specialists today and see how our interviewing expertise can benefit you.
