Seeking Assistance in Crafting Engaging Job Interview Questions

Hi everyone!

Quick Summary: I’m looking for guidance on crafting meaningful interview questions to identify the best candidates for a newly created position in my team.

We’ve recently established a role for a contracts and procurement administrator that will report directly to me. This is significant for me; it’s my first time both developing the position description and participating in the hiring process.

The role requires around five years of experience, making it a junior-level position rather than entry-level. As the current manager handling all procurement tasks as a one-person department, I’ve successfully advocated for the addition of this new role.

The administrator will oversee daily tasks such as issuing purchase orders, managing suppliers, and processing change orders, which will free me to concentrate on strategic initiatives. I need to formulate questions that will help me identify strong candidates who can work autonomously and enforce procurement procedures while also identifying process inefficiencies and proposing solutions. Since our team operates mainly remotely, this individual must be both independent and trustworthy.

What questions can I ask to ensure candidates possess a solid understanding of procurement and contract management requirements? I’m particularly interested in finding someone capable of managing responsibilities in my absence, such as overseeing RFPs.

I’m aware that many candidates excel in interviews but may lack the necessary expertise, while others, like me, may not interview well despite having extensive knowledge. What impactful questions would you suggest to help me uncover the ideal candidates for this position, beyond those who simply excel at self-promotion? Thank you!