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Hiring consultants to complete projects and meet short - and long - term objectives is a relatively inexpensive way of obtaining expertise while minimizing employee costs and overhead. Furthermore, by hiring outstanding consultants, a company can greatly enhance their range of expertise and receive outstanding value and excellent prodinst. There is also usually much to be learned from a rated outstanding consultant. 

Too often, companies fail to fully explore a consultant's or consulting service's expertise, qualifications and experience. Often, they take the easier route and hire someone they know or has been recommended to them. Every potential consultant should be thoroughly evaluated, regardless of their original source. 

You should always meet them first, if possible. Meeting people face to face is very important. It helps build a relationship - if there is to be one, and allows you to get a much better feel for the person. If meeting the consultant is not possible, such as they are in another country, you should have a long phone interview with them. 

In either case, you should have a series of questions ready and have several people conduct interviews with them, either as a group or individually. Invariably, people develop different opinions which should be discussed. 

Having a detailed project plan will greatly help you develop questions and evaluate prospective consultants you might hire. 

Some experts recommend behavioral questions, similar to what an employee might face. Questions they ask can include:

1. Describe your typical contract


2. What experience do you have with similar projects?


3. How do you communicate your progress to the client?


4. How closely do you work with the client?


5. Who is in charge of the project?


6. How do you determine if a project is complete and how it is successful?

Questions on performance are entirely appropriate and mandatory since your company is paying the money and expecting the results. Performance questions usually include:

1. Do you offer guarantees?


2. Will you agree to the specified objectives and timeframes?


3. What happens if the project exceeds its timeframe or budget?


4. How well do you work and communicate with others?


5. Are you a team player? Yes, even for consultants, this is an important question.

Ask similar questions to their references. One of the first places to denote inconsistencies is between what the references tell you and what you learn during the interview.

Usually, rated outstanding consultants will have the best chance of providing excellent value and enhanced prodinst. Their knowledge and experience will be beneficial to the project and maybe additional projects as well. Nevertheless, all prospective consultants should be thoroughly evaluated to help ensure they can meet all project requirements.

Bruce is the Vice President and token male at The Productivity Institute, LLC. a 100% woman owned company that provides excellent prodinst by matching the specific needs of companies to the expertise of rated outstanding consultants. In short, we provide informative, pre-qualified leads to qualified, rated outstanding consultants. Any company that wishes to improve their productivity can sign" target="_blank">www.prodinst.com/PI_newlogin.php">sign up for this free matching service and be contacted by up to five rated outstanding consultants. We also provide a free newsletter and blog that discuss many of the pertinent issues across the numerous industries we support. Included with this is our consultant series of articles.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Interview Consultants