Best Questions to Ask Candidates in an Interview

Hey there! So, you're hitting the streets (or the Zoom calls) looking to find the perfect candidate for that job you have open. Hiring can be a tough nut to crack. Honestly, it’s not just about their resume looking nice; you want to know who they really are, what fuels their fire, and if they'd fit in perfectly with your team. Right?

I mean, we stress and plan, combing through numbers and qualifications, but how do you truly discover if someone is a great fit during an interview? Let’s chat about some of the best questions to ask. They can really help you get to know your candidates.

Start with the Basics (But Not Too Basic)

First things first, start gently. You want to put your candidate at ease. This allows a more honest response! Of course, you can’t skip the classic stuff because—you know—it's necessary.

• Can you tell me about yourself?This open-ended question invites storytelling. It can reveal a candidate's personality and interests, which can deeply influence how they fit within your team culture. Plus, it's a nice warm opener that helps break the ice.

• What motivated you to apply for this position?Understanding their motivation pulls the curtain back a bit. Are they looking merely for a paycheck, or do they really care about what your company does? You'd be surprised by their stories sometimes!

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The Pumpkin Spice Latte of Questions

Okay, confession time: Who doesn't love chatting about their passion? It's kind of like asking someone their favorite pumpkin spice latte order—that might spark some conversation too! Here are some thought-provoking questions you might consider?

• What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on, and why?You can gauge what they're passionate about. Also, it shows how they tackle teamwork, creativity, and success.

• Can you describe a challenge you faced (and, you know, how you handled it)?But don’t just dwell on what went wrong! This invites them to reveal their problem-solving skills. Pam, my friend, locked herself in the office bathroom once—talk about endurance... That's a totally unrealistic interview question, though. Cover different terrains.

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Dig Deeper with Behavioral Insights

Alright, let's be a bit emotionally brave here. Keeping it real, you can learn SO much more with human-minded questions.

• Tell me about a time you didn’t get along with a colleague and how you handled that.Raising an issue like interpersonal relationships can be awkward. Right? But here's the beauty: it forces them to showcase how they communicate and solve conflicts—important for a bright workplace!

• How do you usually respond when you're given feedback? Because, let’s face it, who enjoys feedback, right?How they react can clue you in on their growth mindset. It really gives them a chance to demonstrate self-awareness, so keep your ears perked up!

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What Licorice Really Tastes Like

I mean, this may not apply to your next hire, but who doesn’t love asking about the quirky bits of humanity, your Candidates!

• If you could have a dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?Hello, curiously fun info alert! This can tell you about their inspirations – and hey, let’s see whether they'd invite Marie Curie or their favorite movie star, right? Makes for good bonding when you connect interests.

• Remember the last book you read? What was it about and what did you learn?You never know; perhaps a chat about books can help connect dots! 

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Environmental Adjustment

So, not all roles—or candidates—smell exactly the same. Some gigs need charisma others rely on good old reliability action. Kinda means you've got shift gears based on all that intriguing context about them.

• What approach do you take when dealing with tight deadlines? Can your candidate keep a cool brain when the pressure builds? 

• What does your ideal work environment look like? Learning what works best for them!

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Technical Skills and Expertise

If the job requires special expertise, embrace those questions with arms wide open—keep it relevant!

• Would you be ok sharing an example of your ability to adapt to new technologies?Everything is tech-savvy buzz today!

  
  

Wrap-Up Fun

So, there you have it—interview questions that go beyond “what are your strengths?” and straight into “who are you really?” Interviews don’t have to feel like interrogations. With the right questions, they can feel like meaningful conversations—ones that reveal the magic (or mayhem) behind the resume. Whether you're hiring for heart, hustle, or hard skills, asking thoughtful, people-first questions helps you connect the dots. And hey, you might even learn who shares your deep love of pumpkin spice lattes or late-night history documentaries. Happy interviewing—you’ve got this! 🎙️✨