Interview question

[Edgewater]

Does anyone have any specific questions that they find are very effective when conducting interviews?

I always meet with people face to face, that is how I get a general feel for who has the right attitude and who will learn well.

Just wondering what some of your favorite questions are? I am talking about lawn crew and landscape installers here, not managers or office workers.

Adam

[shovelracer]

Can I call your references? Usually the BSers get nervous at this one. Although nowadays that is very common anyways. I also tell them that we sometimes work 7 days a week to see if their response is motivated. We dont usually work 7 days, but if they dont like the thought of that then they probably dont love their line of work and wont even show up for 5. Basically I ask for specifics as far as experience, names, and references. I would like to see what others say.

[ICS]

I always give them situations and ask them what would they do.. But I hire service techs for irrigation. I am a fan of a probation period also.

[pinto n mwr]

This is one question I have been asked in an interview...

Why is a man hole cover round?

[jimmyburg]

when i worked for the city, i sat on interview panels (and we had to be certified to sit on the panel) we would ask question like
1. Describe a time you .... and how you fixed the problem.

always ask for a time and how did you fix or solve the problem. if you have to probe for more than 3 questions to get the answer you want, then end the interview or finish the interview and mark them off your list, because they are not going to think outside the box and not perform to your standards and you are going to hold thier hand all day till you get rid of them.

[B & B Yardscape]

pinto n mwr: Because they are heavy and they need to be rolled. And a circle won't fall through the hole like a square would.

Did I get the job?

I like what shovelracer said. Tell them the work is harder and will require more of their time and see the reaction.

[J&R Landscaping]

Assuming your hiring labor guys or even crew chiefs, do you check any myspace pages or similar accounts (myspace, facebook etc) for content prior to hiring them?

[steve5966]

Do you have a pulse.

[JB1]

Do you have a license, and when is your next court date.

[wbw]

This is one question I have been asked in an interview...

Why is a man hole cover round?

Because the hole is round.

[yardmanlee]

do you have a valid drivers license ? Is there anything that would keep you from doing heavy labor ? do you take pride in your work ?
do you work well with others ? can you follow directions ? what equipement have you operated before ? can I call your references ?
are you on any medications ? just because I had this guy last yr. who claimed to have MS and popped pills about every 2 hrs. some days after lunch the man could hardly walk straight

[C&K]

Because the hole is round.

Its because a round cover wont fall into the hole.

[C&K]

What is the hardest job you have done on your on? What made it hard? How long did it take to finish? How did you get it done?

How many days in the past year have you missed work?

Have you ever worked with someone who did not pull their weight? If so, How did you feel about that person? And, How did you work with that person?

If you had to pick three qualities of a co-worker what would they be?

In comparison to others that you've worked with at (previous job) how would you rank yourself out of 10 in job performance? Why? How would your supervisor rank you? Why?

If I called your previous employers what would they tell me about you?

These are a few that I have used.

[B & B Yardscape]

Because the hole is round.

Nice answer.
Now that's seeing the trees from the forest. You want a job?

[bob the king]

I use the man hole ? too it allows you insight to to persons reasoning abilities. you wont believe some of the answers I get. and yes if they say because it cant fall in they are pretty much hired. some other answers i get:
1: because a man is round
2: I don't know
3: pipe is round
4: so they roll
5: they won't bend
6: there made that way

the worst answer is I dont know. anyone who cant even come up with an answer wont be able to do any problem solving- how to load a whip, or what to do if mower wont start or notice the lawn is getting scalped or the thousands of things that can go wrong in the field.

[KGR landscapeing]

the ones who get nervous around the boss usally work the hardest. cause they think the littlest thing the boss is gonna drop them like a rock. And tell them they will work in the rain. 14hrs in the rain will break anybody

[bohiaa]

be VERY carefull.....

As you know "or should know" there are only 3 questions personal you can ask according to law....

you should know how to get some one to talk...

always ask open end questions.

if they do reveal personal answers dont go there, just say hummm, or ok....

I always remain professional, dont ask stupid Q's like why is a man hole cover round.

quite honestly if someone ask me that Q I would get up and leave.

[Az Gardener]

I always ask each candidate the same questions in the same order. I have a worksheet I use and I make notes to their answers.

I start off with general questions to break the ice. How long have you been in Az. Do you think you will stay tell me about your family. I find people with families are more dependable they need the job more they are more responsible.

Then I move on to questions about their previous jobs/employers. What was your first job. I find that guys that started early have a natural work ethic. Which was your favorite and why? Which was your least favorite and why?

I ask when their last vacation was, workaholics are great in the short term but seem to get burned out too I find the more balanced people make better long term employees. I ask them to tell me about their biggest blunder or mistake on the job and how did they handle it.

I ask them after 60-90 days on the job what will I find is their biggest fault as an employee. I find people who can't honestly note their own shortcomings will never take responsibility for their actions when things go wrong and they will deviate from my directions if they think they know better.

I always try to hire people with no experience as I find they are easier to train and they have no bad habits. If they do claim to have knowledge I break out the industry tests to see what they really know.

I used to do an IQ test but I went away from it and went to a simple follow these directions and plant this small flower bed 2' X 3" with a list of detailed directions. It is amazing how many people can't follow simple directions when they are in print right in front of them. :hammerhead: Especially when they know they are being tested and when we emphasize this is not a speed issue. I think I will also put the IQ test back into the rotation also. I went away from it for a time and I am regretting it now.

I got most of my questions from a program called H/R Genie put together by a H/R professional. When ever I see a company with lots of great employees I try and ask the manager what methods they use, that's how I got the IQ test.