Recruiting Questionnaire, 21 Vital Questions To Ask Candidates

Are you looking to streamline your hiring process, particularly your very first screening?

Today, modern video tools like Vouch can speed up the recruitment process. In such a process where you are doing a first screening, a recruiting questionnaire can be an invaluable tool.

By asking the right questions, you can gather important information about a candidate's skills, fit for the role, and personality, helping you find the perfect match for your team and your company culture. It's also at this stage where your employer brand really shines, helping you attract the ideal candidates to reduce time to hire and costs.

In this article, we'll explore the answers to these questions and more, providing you with valuable insights to optimize your hiring process.

So, let's dive in.

Key Takeaways:

Why Use a Recruitment Questionnaire?

Every interview is based on questions. However, a pre-set recruitment questionnaire is designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of a candidate's background and personality, going beyond what is mentioned in their resume or cover letter.

By asking these more open questions, you can assess a candidate's softer skills and identify their suitability for the role and your company culture.

Furthermore, a recruitment questionnaire saves you time by narrowing down the pool of candidates so you can focus on the best potential hires. A well-designed questionnaire is perfect in the pre-screening phases, especially in roles with a lot of applicants.

Essential Questions to Include in a Recruitment Questionnaire

When it comes to creating a recruitment questionnaire, the right questions can greatly impact the effectiveness of your hiring process. By asking targeted questions, you can gather the necessary information to assess a candidate's suitability for the role.

Here are some essential questions to include in your job application questionnaire - and with modern video tools like Vouch, you can simply send a video link with these questions pre-loaded so you can see the candidate's video responses:

  1. Can you tell me about yourself and your background?
  2. What interests you about this position and our company?
  3. What relevant experience do you have for this role?
  4. How do you stay updated with industry trends and developments?
  5. Can you describe a challenging project you've worked on and how you overcame obstacles?
  6. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?
  7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  8. How do you prioritize and manage your workload?
  9. Can you give an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership skills?
  10. How do you approach problem-solving?
  11. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with colleagues?
  12. What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement?
  13. How do you adapt to changes in technology or processes?
  14. Can you describe a time when you had to quickly learn a new skill or technology?
  15. How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work?
  16. What motivates you in your career?
  17. How do you handle feedback and criticism?
  18. Can you give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with a diverse team?
  19. How do you maintain a work-life balance?
  20. What are your long-term career goals?
  21. Do you have any questions for us about the role or company?

And don't forget that throughout these questions, you want to make sure that the ideal candidates are connecting with your culture and mission. Be sure to relate their answers back to parts of your company so they feel connected and inspired.