When interviewing candidates, it’s important to choose the best person for the job, but that’s not always easy. By putting together a free excel test and giving it out during the interview process, you can easily and objectively compare candidates side-by-side, ensuring you only hire the best in the long run.l help you with putting together your own excel test and using it during the interview process to ensure you get the right people on board with your organization.

 Step 1)Download the Template

Here’s an easy-to-use Excel test that you can download and print. After downloading, open the file by going to File in your toolbar and selecting Open. Now fill in your information where it says YOUR NAME in column A (A1), put your boss’s name where it says Your Boss (B1), and go through each question. When you’re done, go up to View in your toolbar and choose Print Preview so you can double check everything looks good before printing out your results. Save the file by selecting File > Save As.

Step 2) Answer Questions as Candidate

1) What would you do with an imaginary $10?

I would take that money and find something creative or constructive to do with it. I could make a charitable donation, buy some healthy foods for my dorm room, get a local resident in need a blanket for winter, or even pay off someone’s student debt if I had extra funds available.

2) Who are you outside of work?

I am currently working on completing my bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from Yale College at Yale University. In the past I have volunteered extensively at various nonprofits around New Haven, including when I worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer through VOCA (Volunteers Organizing for Communities).
3) What is your ultimate goal in life? My ultimate goal in life is to create positive change for those who are unable to create it themselves.
4) Where do you see yourself professionally 5 years from now?

I see myself doing justice-related work where I can help people with their legal rights, be involved in advocacy and community outreach efforts, and be able to provide assistance and guidance towards individuals who might not know how they will be able to achieve their goals without additional resources.
5) How did you spend this past weekend?

I spent this past weekend catching up on rest and spending time with friends.

Step 3) Score Candidate Based on Answers

Interviewing candidates is one of the most important steps in making a hiring decision. One piece of research revealed that 75% of recruiters and employers said they don’t make a final hiring decision solely based on the candidate’s resume. Interviews are an excellent way for companies to explore what it would be like for someone to work there by looking at their job skills, knowledge, and experience, but also gauging if they’re easy-going and compatible with company culture. Yet as time-consuming, as interviews are, it can be difficult for busy managers or recruiters to pay close attention during the entire process – not only because some interviewees speak too quickly or nervously, but also because interviews can run up against higher-priority tasks.
That’s why we recommend using an excel test: a free downloadable assessment that measures everything from reading comprehension to mental math. Our Microsoft Excel test was designed specifically to assess both your basic office skills and interpersonal competencies such as listening and problem-solving. There are 40 questions total, so you will have time to review each answer before moving on to the next question.

Step 4) Ask Them the Same Questions in a Face-to-Face Interview

1. What is your favorite TV show?
2. What is your favorite pet’s name?
3. What is your favorite song right now?
4. Which comedian do you enjoy watching on TV?
5. Who was the president in 1980?
6. Why do you want this job?
7. How long have you been looking for a new job and why haven’t you found one yet?
9. Can you tell me about yourself?
10. Describe how your last day at work went, were there any problems?
11. Do you ever feel like quitting when things get hard or frustrating at work?
12. Why should I hire you over other candidates who are interviewing for this position?
13. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment so far in life .
14. Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow?
15. What kind of car do you drive and why did you choose it?
16. Is there anything else that we haven’t discussed that I should know before making my decision to hire or not hire you?
17. When can we expect your first day here with us to be?
18. Where do you see yourself in five years from now with this company? What can you offer me that another candidate cannot? What are your salary requirements? If the applicant meets all of these questions without hesitation, then they may be worth hiring!