In your quest for the perfect candidate, you will likely come across individuals who are either gainfully employed or “in between jobs.” Interviewing unemployed candidates poses some challenges because these folks may be out of work for a variety of reasons, good or bad. Yet, one must be prepared to interview unemployed candidates in a way that brings out the best in them — to see the skills and qualities they can bring to the table.
The Pros and Cons of Interviewing Unemployed Candidates
The truth is, the Michiana region has experienced above average unemployment rates, even among higher level candidates. This means you will see more than your average share of unemployed candidates applying for your assignments. This has both pros and cons in the recruitment area of the organization.
Pros:
- Ready to start work right away (no need to provide notice to current employer)
- Eager to take on new tasks and try new roles to get a foot in the door with your company
- Flexible in terms of work shifts, for short-and long-term projects
Cons:
- Candidate may say or do anything to get the job (falsification of information to look good)
- Too long since employed could indicate out-of-date skills, lack of motivation or poor personality
Interview Questions for Unemployed Candidates
The above are just a handful of the positives and negatives of interviewing unemployed candidates, but they are not an exhaustive list. Use your best judgment when selecting a candidate that is unemployed for consideration of a job. Use skills assessments, check their background fully, and make use of good screening processes when setting up interviews.
To help you during the interview process, here are several sample interview questions to ask the unemployed candidate:
- Have you been actively learning new skills – if so, how?
Candidates who are lifelong learners, whether employed or not, are very valuable to companies who want to stay ahead. Asking the candidate to be specific about how he or she maintains fresh skills gives you a greater insight into their abilities. Someone who values this is someone worth considering for employment.
- What do you believe to be your best traits?
Instead of focusing on the unemployment issue, which can be stressful and awkward to discuss, ask the candidate to bring forth their positives in the interview. This can be a good question to ask to get them thinking about their future goals too.
- If I called a previous employer, what three good things would they say about you?
Understanding a little more about the individual’s reason for leaving their last job helps you to make a better hiring decision. See if they can think of three good things and if they elaborate a little on their experience at the previous organization. A negative response could be a red flag.
- Do you prefer doing the same tasks every day, or do you like workdays with new tasks presented?
Asking the candidate to share a little more about their preferences at work can give you clues to their work style and personality. This is especially true if you have a job that requires flexibility or switching gears. Too rigid of a response may indicate that a person doesn’t have a desire to try new things and may find it difficult to collaborate on teams.
- Can you give me an example of what a good manager means to you?
This is a good interview question to ask an unemployed candidate because if they talk negatively about managers, they may have trouble with authority and following directions. However, saying positive features and even talking about a positive experience with a previous manager is a good sign. If the candidate goes as far as indicating why he or she may be a good manager someday, this is also a good omen for placing them in leadership roles.
Use the above interview questions for unemployed candidates and employed candidates alike as you see fit. These will help you to understand better how a candidate may be a good fit for your company.
If you are in the greater Michiana area and are looking for assistance with your interviewing and recruiting needs, give Wood Staffing a call. As the premier staffing firm in Southwest Michigan, we have the expertise necessary to help you find, interview, and hire the perfect candidate for your position. Contact us today to learn more!
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