[spiderlily]

So, what do you ask in an interview? I like to do scenario questions like "The housekeeper comes out and asks you to help move a table. Your supervisor is 3 acres away. What do you do?"

or "You are by yourself on a jobsite, and bees sting your eyelids. What do you do?"

[Stonehenge]

I've heard it said that a good laborer has a strong back and a weak mind. There's something to be said for that, and I've found that for some of the positions I try to fill, being able to think quickly on your feet in a job interview is not a skill I need on a jobsite. BTW, I see thinking quickly on a jobsite and thinking quickly in an interview are two different things - some guys are just not charismatic interviewees, and are not good and figuring out the 'right answer'. Besides, in my prior lives I spent so much time hiring people that I take some joy in breaking the smooth-talkers who have the pat answer for everything.

I'll attach my stock questions - I often deviate from this sheet, but it serves as a good starting point.

[Stonehenge]

BTW - the last question isn't a question. I fill a wheelbarrow with 400# of block that they have to wheel to a spot, turn around, and wheel back. I never hire someone who fails this test.

[dan deutekom]

Save yourself a lot of interview time if you do the wheelbarrow test first

[site]

I would have hired either the strongest looking one or the one with the most reliable looking car. The wheelbarrow test is a good qualifier. I have added it after reading about it in previous threads. Anybody can BS for 15 minutes, but a two minute wheelbarrow test speaks for itself. I have adapted the test though. I ask the interviewee to shovel a full load of gravel into the wheelbarrow first. It shows shovel skills and the persons idea of what "full" is.

[Stonehenge]

LOL - I like that idea.

[Paul]

I guess I've been spoiled over the years. About 1/3 of the men I've hired over the years couldn't speak english. I've never had to give them the "wheelbarrow" test. About 6 years ago we went with union labors. I've had a few bad ones at first, mostly hiring from the hall. When I changed to placing them in the union I haven't fired one since. I know most of you wouldn't pay these wages and have fears of unions in your business but for me it helped steady my people. They have benefits, paid holidays, and pension. The last person I needed to hire was back in 1998.