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In your opinion, how to assess a candidate's problem-solving skills?

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Question added by Salam Assi , Customer Service Officer , Etihad Bank
Date Posted: 2018/02/05
Padma David
by Padma David , Operations Manager , Majan University College

If I'am part of the interview panel which Iam most of the times. I ask the candidate to narrate a real experience where he had a problem on hand and went on to resolve it. While the candidate narrates the incident, look out for key things: 1. Identifying the problem 2. Finding the Root Cause 3. Decision on approaching the problems 4. Finding appropriate evidences and building it up 5. Applying solutions and review 6. Issue resolved and documented for future reference. Ofcourse, this does not happen over night it needs conscious efforts and help of the mature people/colleagues all along the way to get there. Trust this helps!!

essay give a problem you already solved or you knew the solution and assess them by how closer they get to your solution or give a better one in the same or less time you figure out

MOHAMED MADY
by MOHAMED MADY , Marketing Business Development Operation Director , Brand

I will be very honest with the candidate as per his weakness for his skills and I will tell him direct to work on himself more to improve himself by learning and reading and this will help him so my talking will be for his side but if he fresh graduate and the postion need this, i will evaluates him in different way and may be i will recommended him. but you Know some postions need special skills so it is depending for the postion more than the candidate him self.

Deleted user
by Deleted user

This is a very tricky topic, and to make an assessment in a interview regarding PS skills are extremely difficult.

I was involved in numerous amounts of interiews, and the best way for me was to use real work examples.( this will take som planning from your side, to get what you are looking for) If the person is qualified and has experience, he/she should be able to come close to the answer that you want, not always perfect, but close.

In most cases, you will just know. There are not a lot of candidates that really wow you in an interview, and getting them to relax and take their time in answer also does not make the job any easier.

When it comes to PS skills, expereince will kick in and the candidate should be able to express him/herself easily. Dnt let them give their own real life expamples as they can describe something that you dont have any knowledge about and end up giving you a well thought out rehearsal.

Deleted user
by Deleted user

For HR employers, they have to realize that such question needs from candidates time and deep thinking to answer.

Otherwise, candidates will be described as hasty.

Ashraf E. Mahmoud (PhD)
by Ashraf E. Mahmoud (PhD) , University Lecturer, Freelancer Consultant and Trainer for Int'l Business & Banking TF. , FreeLancer

Thanks for invitation,

In my opinion, it depends on the job he will be interviewing for same, i.e. the high level job, the more problem solving skill needed.

احمد المغاريز
by احمد المغاريز , مترجم , Knowledge Point

workshop training is the best way to improve one's skill in problem solving skills

Emmanuel Wamweta
by Emmanuel Wamweta , production supervisor , Tembo Steel Rolling

1. Narration of a previous experience. 2. Exposing a candidate to a workshop. 3. Answering an essay or case involving problem solving. Each of these methods as its own merits and demerits and each of them can be applicable in different scenarios and cases. In some incidences, one or two of these methods can be used simultaneously or as a combination but the one presenting them must be very patient and considerate with the candidate. Thanx for the invitation

Thomson Jose
by Thomson Jose , Training Head , Aptech

Ask the person to solve a realistic job-related problem to determine thinking skills. By doing this you can analyze the process the person follows in tackling the problem. The right candidate would not only give the most probable solution but would also outline the process.

Ivanka Viegas
by Ivanka Viegas , Guest Service Officer , Grand Hyatt Goa

When in a situation one should know to identify the problem and undermine its root cause. From the point of origin one must be able to understand all areas of concern before addressing all in the situation. I prefer letting all colaberate and find a solution together to make a better and stronger team. If one can obatin the above then I believe that shows some level of problem solving. Each situation may hold diffent challanges one must be able to adapt to the challange and push forward.

Syed Tariq Qamar Ali
by Syed Tariq Qamar Ali , Administration Assistant

It is so easy just by working together and give your very best knowledge. Of course training involved and spending time by working on different issues with seniors and very vital for a candidate to decide to polish him/herself we all learn from each other and move forward.

Nothing aint difficult it depends your consistency and by working together and keep learning and moving forward.

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