What's Your Favorite Interview Question?

What is the point of the interviewing process? It will be different depending on whether you are the hiring authority representing the company or the candidate exploring a new opportunity. In general, the goal of the company is to assess competency, fit and motivation. On the other hand, a candidate is interested in uncovering if the opportunity is one that fits with their career aspirations and if they can be truly successful with this organization. 

Whether you are the one doing the interviewing or sitting on the other side of the desk as a candidate, you know how monotonous the hiring process can sometimes be. Bringing a fresh approach to the interview can be done simply by asking new/different questions. Questions that are not only interesting and unique, but also seek to draw out valuable answers. I’ve compiled a short list of some of my favorite questions that you might consider using the next time you find yourself in an interview.

Questions to ask Candidates:

• What motivates you? (relationships, career growth, competition, money, legacy etc.,)
• Who has inspired you most in your life? And why?
• What’s your most significant career accomplishment?
• If I gave you $10mm and told you to start your own business, what would it be?
• If a genie gave you the wish of having the perfect career five years from now, what would that look like?
• Humans do make mistakes. Please share with me a time where you have made a mistake which had a significant impact to the company/your team, what mistake was that, and what remedy action you took.
• What’s your biggest regret in life?
• What one skill do you possess that will most impact our bottom line?

Questions for Candidates to ask:

• Why did YOU choose this company? Is that reason still relevant today?
• How do you define “success” for this job?
• Do you see any reason why I might not be a good fit for this role?
• What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first 30 days (90 days)?
• If you and I are heading into my review a year from now and I get great ratings for a job well done in the past year what things would I have accomplished for you?
• What does your internal mentorship and ongoing training look like?
• What is the next step in the process and when can I expect to hear from you?

Feel free to borrow the ones you love and mix it up next time you are in an interviewing situation. The person sitting across from you will surely appreciate something other than the stock questions they have heard over and over again. 

If there are any other questions that you’ve come across and like to use, I’d love to hear what your favorite interview questions are! I'm always looking to expand my arsenal as well!