Start with Some Basic Questions

Don't forget the obvious.

The answers to these questions might help give you the facts before you begin to dig into the background of the candidates. You can get more effective responses to a series of questions if you start with the simple ones. They are easy to answer, so there is no pressure on the respondent. The respondents are not challenged to give opinions. After introducing yourself, begin with these basic questions:

I'd like to verify the dates of employment, from ____ to _____.
What type of work did he/she do? (Title?)
Were his/her earnings $_____ per _____?
Did that include bonus? Overtime? Incentives?
Who did he/she work for prior to joining your company?

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