Marsha Murray started her first employee recruiting firm back in 1988, seeking to match candidates and clients for the long haul.

By asking the tough, in-depth questions but also showing each candidate the respect she says they deserve, Murray boasts a 95 percent client satisfaction rate, with 43 percent of her business coming from referrals. Her average client has been with the firm 11 years, although she has some who’ve been with her since the first day she opened her predecessor business, Memorial City Personnel, more than 20 years ago.

Murray spoke with Houston Business Journal reporter Bayan Raji about her job-interviewing secrets and her serious passion for golf.

What was your first job?

I worked in the candy department at Sears when I was 16. I always life-guarded at swimming pools and taught a lot of swimming lessons. That was always my favorite job.

What job interview faux pas have you committed?

The only one that comes to mind was when I was going to school in Austin. I was applying for a part-time job at a clothing boutique, and I mentioned I wasn’t sure if I’d be back the next semester, because I wasn’t sure at the time. Of course I didn’t get the position.

What are the top three questions to ask in a job interview?

“If I could create the perfect career opportunity for you what would it look like?” I use that question if I’m trying to make sure that person is committed to the position they’re interviewing for.

“Everyone in their life has personal adversity and challenges. Give me an example of an adversity you’ve been faced with and how you overcame that.” With this question I’m looking for someone who faces adversity and challenges head on. I’m looking more for an attitude. How they look at it, relate to it and changed their life as a result.

“Of all the positions you’ve had, what is your the favorite and why?” I like to ask this because culture is critical to success and you’ve got to be sure you’ve making a good fit.

What’s your hidden talent?

My husband flies as a hobby. When we first got married we visited his parents in Wisconsin often. I’m a little bit too much of a control freak to get 35,000 feet in the air and not know how to get down. I trained, really for safety reasons, and got my license.

What do you try to do in your free time?

Read or exercise. I’m very boring in my reading in that I like to read business books. I’d like to get back into novels. I like health and fitness. I like to run and, depending on the weather, I go to The Houstonian and run the track or work with weights.

What’s playing on your iPod?

Adele, Lady Antebellum, and there’s a couple of Lady Gaga songs I listen to at the gym. Any kind of upbeat music.