Transcript - slide 8

Informational Interview Questions

Question 4:
Do you routinely pay for overtime work or temporary work services?

Question 5:
Are you able to maintain production or are you behind schedule?

Question 6:
Are there tasks that you would like to see done more often or are not being performed at all?

Question four: Do you routinely pay for overtime work or temporary work services? Saving money in this area can be very attractive to employers. For example, a manufacturing company was paying their receptionist to work after hours and on weekends to put together promotional packets for the sales staff. After considering the savings to the company, the employer decided to create a part-time job for a promotional sales assistant to perform this job duty.

Question five: Are you able to maintain production or are you behind schedule? For example, a small business employed four workers to hand make solid wood kayaks and assemble kits for those customers who want to build their own boats. In the past, they have always been able to keep up with demands on a local and regional level. However, after they went online, their marketing orders suddenly increased. The business was not prepared for this overwhelming response, which led to back orders and staff overtime. The employer agreed it would be beneficial to hire someone to put the kits together; thus freeing up some time for the master builders to do best, as well as improve operations.

Question six: Are there tasks which you would like to see done more often or that are not being performed at all? For example, a hotel wanted to keep their stairwell brass cleaned throughout the building but this was not done on a regular basis. In addition, the elevators were not regularly cleaned. The employer was approached about hiring someone to do this on an ongoing basis and again a job was formed.

You may have noted that each question probes at ways to improve overall business efficiency, worker performance, and save money. These are all issues that are near and dear to every employer. Please remember that these opportunities would not have evolved without an understanding of the business needs, the various jobs as well as knowledge about the potential applicant’s abilities, interests, and support needs.