Interview Questions to Hire WINNERS With Drive

“Hiring isn't about filling positions; it's about discovering individuals who bring passion and determination to every challenge.” - Coach Mike Cooper

Have you ever been charmed by a candidate during an interview, convinced they were the perfect fit for your team, only to find yourself blindsided by their lackluster performance once they were on the job? It's a common tale in the hiring world, but I'm here to arm you with a strategy that can help you avoid this frustrating scenario.

Today, I'm excited to share with you three potent questions that can help you uncover a candidate's true work ethic, motivation, and follow-through before you make the commitment to bring them on board. These aren't just any questions; these are the tried-and-true inquiries that I've honed over years of experience to help you pinpoint those with an undeniable drive.

Let's face it, in a small business where every team member's contribution is crucial, hiring someone with a "low motor" can significantly impact your bottom line. This is especially true in trade and service businesses, where the quality and productivity of your front-line team directly influence sales and profits. Just one underperforming team member can erode the hard work of several others, tipping the scales from profit to loss.

But there's good news! You can identify drive, work ethic, and motivation in applicants before you hire them. Here's how:

Question 1: Uncovering Early Self-Motivation
After some light icebreakers to build rapport, ease into the interview with a question about the candidate's life before they entered the workforce. Ask them to share a goal they had and what they did to achieve it. This could relate to school, sports, learning a skill, or any personal ambition. What's crucial here is to understand why the goal mattered to them and what they learned about themselves in the process.

This question is a litmus test for intrinsic motivation. Does the candidate connect effort with results? Were they self-motivated from an early age, or did their achievements come at the behest of someone else? A candidate who can't recall any early goals or efforts might still be a diamond in the rough, but it's a point worth noting.

Question 2: Assessing Goals During Early Career Stages
Next, shift the focus to the candidate's early career. Inquire about goals they set during this period and the actions they took to reach them. This question aims to see if they've maintained their drive through the complexities of adult life. It's a moment to recognize that external factors like financial responsibilities can also be valid motivators. What you're looking for is a pattern of setting goals and taking action to achieve them.

Question 3: Gauging Current and Future Ambitions
Finally, delve into the candidate's recent and current goals. Ask them to share their aspirations for the next few years and the steps they're taking to realize them. This reveals if they're still actively pursuing growth and if they have the resilience to keep pushing forward even when life gets tough.

Through these questions, you're not just looking for achievers but for individuals who demonstrate a pattern of proactive behavior and continuous self-improvement. It's about finding those who don't just dream but do.

Remember, hiring someone with drive is just one piece of the puzzle; they also need the skills to match. If you're struggling to find candidates who tick both boxes, or if your interview process feels like a marathon, there are solutions to streamline your hiring and ensure you're attracting top-tier talent.

If you're intrigued and want to dive deeper into refining your hiring process or learning more about these questions, I invite you to reach out. Let's connect and explore how you can enhance your team with individuals who bring not just skills, but heart and motivation to the table.

Go ahead, set your standards high, and start hiring winners with the drive to propel your business forward. Here's to building a team that's as driven as you are!

Want to speak to Mike about how to transform your business? Find out more at https://mikecooper.actioncoach.com/