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"A deeper discussion with the candidate about their life experiences is happening now," says Bare. "There's an effort certainly by search professionals and employers to get a sense of the value system a person brings to work. People want to make good and lasting decisions. Employers have learned that a poor hiring decision is incredibly costly."

Got Character? Personal Questions and Gotcha Moments

Employers and executive recruiters are asking some personal questions during , and they're putting prospective employees in social situations to test how they interact with others, says Bare. For example, a hiring manager or recruiter might ask the candidate to talk about his or her parents.

"Having a candidate talk about their family can tell employers something about the candidate's value system and work ethic," he says.