Think about the interview process. When you are conducting an interview — sitting across the table from someone asking the same 20 questions you asked the candidate before — are you really going to get a sense of what type of person they are, whether they work well with others, or whether they have a questioning mind? Not likely. It is important that employees have the ability to work together. Like we mentioned before, it is a collaborative effort to foster innovation, so this means no teams of one.
That being said, there are some creative ways to see whether new hires will mesh with your current staff members.
Group interviews
Putting interviewees in a group setting can be a great way to see how they interact with others. I am sure you can think of situations you have been in where someone is stepping on others’ toes to get attention and prove their worth. Those types of scenarios can surface during a group interview, allowing you to see a full picture of candidates.
Real world scenarios
Having interview candidates get a taste of the real workplace and what they will be seeing on a daily basis is a great idea to get a better view of possible employees. Have them sit in on brainstorming sessions or mock sessions and contribute where possible. This will help both the candidate and the company see if it is a good fit for everyone.
Problem solving
Ask candidates about scenarios that have actually happened in your workplace and have them problem solve. This shows their ingenuity but also how well they are able to work quickly without preparation.
Business model innovation
Ask candidates what they would do differently within your company. Ask them what business models they would implement that you are not currently implementing and how that will lead to innovation.
And that is just the beginning. There are a number of other questions you can ask during an interview to get a clear view of the person’s ingenuity and intellect. Once you create the proper hiring process for innovation, you will have the right people in the right positions at the right time.