Do You Know What Interview Questions to Ask Millennials?
When interviewing Millennials, try these questions to learn about the applicant and determine if the applicant fits your organization!
1. Would you rather be an inventor or a leader?
This question will allow you to understand the Millennial applicant’s passions in building either things or people.
2. What would you rather have: A) A small team with a shoestring budget and significant autonomy, or B) A large team and budget with multi-layered decision-making processes?
This gives you a sense for the applicant’s drive and risk taking compared to a desire for control and norms.
3. Tell me about a time when things felt helpless but you knew you would pull through.
Millennials are an optimistic group and employers need to know the applicant is positive and resilient.
4. What would you do if you are in a meeting with a senior leader that is running long and an important phone call that you were expecting comes through?
Millennials are technically dependent and multitaskers. This interview question will provide insight on how the applicant handle competing priorities.
5. Tell me about a time you failed.
Millennials have been labeled as a generation that is used to getting their way. Failure will happen (and is a valuable way to learn), and it is important to comprehend how the applicant would respond to failure.
6. Give me an example of a situation when you worked in a diverse group with different opinions.
Millennials are an inclusive cohort. Employers need to know if the applicant experienced good examples of inclusive behavior and collaboration.
7. Tell me about the volunteer or charity work you do.
Millennials are passionate about giving back, whether through missionary work, the Peace Corps, military service, or local charities. Giving and selflessness are hallmarks of great leaders.
8. Tell me about a large project you worked on–and your role in it–that took longer to complete than planned.
Millennials grew up with constant stimulation and can be impatient. It is important to understand how the applicant will react when something takes longer than they expected.
9. How do you like to receive feedback?
Millennials are a generation that desires frequent positive feedback. Balancing this against your internal culture will be important.
10. Tell me about a time you were passed up for an award or promotion you felt you deserved.
Millennials have a strong desire for achievement and promotion. This generation can get frustrated if they do not achieve quickly. Seeing how the applicant responds to this question will give you an idea of their patience, commitment and resiliency.
