23 Strategic Questions to Ask Job Candidates During Their Interview

Do you know how to spot a good employee? Many times, it's not about the qualifications on paper. It's about whether or not the person will be a good fit for your company culture. In order to find the best candidates, you need to ask the right questions. In this blog post, we will discuss 23 strategic questions to ask job candidates in order to get a better idea of their personality and how they would fit into your organization. We'll also provide tips for conducting a behavioral interview and being a good interviewer.

What is a Behavioral Interview?

A behavioral interview is an interview in which the interviewer asks questions about the job candidate's past behavior in order to predict how they will behave in future situations. This type of interview is based on the premise that "the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

Behavioral interviews are becoming increasingly popular because they can be very effective at predicting job performance. However, they can also be challenging to conduct if you don't know what you're doing.

General Tips for Conducting an Interview

When conducting a behavioral interview, there are a few general tips that you should keep in mind:

• Prepare in advance. Make sure you know what behavior you want to assess and what specific examples you want to ask about.
• Be aware of your own bias. Try to be as objective as possible when assessing the candidate's behavior.
• Avoid leading questions. Ask open-ended questions that allow the candidate to give a detailed answer.
• Probe for more information. If the candidate gives a brief answer, follow up with additional questions to get more details.

23 Strategic Questions to Ask During an Interview

1.  How did you spend your time during the lockdown?

When a pandemic hit the world, it was a shock to everyone. Many people lost their jobs and were forced to stay home. How did you spend your time during the lockdown? Did you use this time to learn new skills? Or did you spend your time watching TV and scrolling through social media?

Leave this question open-ended, their answer can be very revealing of their time management and self-motivation.

2.  What are your thoughts on failure?

Many people are afraid of failure. They see it as a negative experience that should be avoided at all costs. However, some people see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

This question can give you insight into the candidate's mindset and how they deal with setbacks. If they view failure as an opportunity to learn, they are more likely to be open to new experiences and willing to take risks.

3.  Can you teach me something in 5 minutes?

This question assesses the candidate's ability to communicate and their willingness to share knowledge. It also shows how well they can handle impromptu situations.

If the candidate is able to teach you something in a clear and concise manner, it shows that they have good communication skills. If they are unable or unwilling to do so, it could be an indication that they are not open to sharing knowledge or working collaboratively.

4.  What are your goals for Self-Improvement over the next year?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's motivation and commitment to self-improvement. It also shows whether or not they are able to set and achieve goals.

If the candidate has specific goals in mind, it shows that they are motivated to improve their skills and grow as a person. If they do not have any goals, it could be an indication that they are not very proactive when it comes to self-improvement.

5.  What is your ideal culture to work in?

The candidate's answer to this question will give you insight into what they value in a work environment. Do they want a collaborative culture or a competitive culture? Do they prefer a relaxed environment or a more formal setting?

Knowing what the candidate values in a work environment can help you determine if they would be a good fit for your organization.

6.  What is your favorite thing about your current job?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's level of satisfaction with their current job. It also shows whether or not they are able to find enjoyment in their work.

If the candidate is able to articulate what they enjoy about their current job, it shows that they have found meaning in their work. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they are not very satisfied with their current situation.

7.  What was the color of the receptionist’s shirt?

This question assesses the candidate's ability to pay attention to detail. It also shows whether or not they are able to remember information from their environment.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they were paying attention to their surroundings and were able to remember the details. If they are unable to answer this question, it could be an indication that they were not paying attention or that they have difficulty remembering information.

8.  What fictional character are you, and why?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to think creatively. It also shows whether or not they are able to see themselves in a different light.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to think outside the box and view themselves in a different way. If they are unable to answer this question, it could be an indication that they are not very creative or that they have trouble seeing themselves in a different light.

9.  Describe a time when you disagreed with your boss.

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to handle conflict. It also shows whether or not they are willing to stand up for their beliefs.

If the candidate is able to describe a time when they disagreed with their boss, it shows that they are able to handle conflict in a constructive manner. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty standing up for themselves or that they tend to avoid conflict.

10.  What could your current company do to be more successful?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to think critically about their current organization. It also shows whether or not they are able to offer constructive criticism.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to see the potential for improvement in their current situation. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they are not very critical thinkers or that they tend to be negative when it comes to their work environment.

11.  You’re behind schedule, a client or employee needs your help, how do you respond?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to prioritize. It also shows whether or not they are able to handle multiple tasks at one time.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to prioritize and manage their time effectively. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty managing their time or that they tend to be overwhelmed when faced with multiple tasks.

12.  Tell me about a time you failed to reach your goal?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to handle disappointment. It also shows whether or not they are able to learn from their mistakes.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to accept failure and learn from their mistakes. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty accepting failure or that they tend to repeat their mistakes.

13.  Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict at work. How did you overcome it?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to handle conflict. It also shows whether or not they are able to see the situation from multiple perspectives.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to handle conflict in a constructive manner. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty seeing both sides of the situation or that they tend to avoid conflict.

14.  As a leader, how do you motivate those who follow you?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to motivate others. It also shows whether or not they are able to provide clear direction.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to inspire and motivate those who follow them. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty providing clear direction or that they tend to be passive when it comes to leadership.

15.  Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of stress. How did you handle this pressure?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to handle stress. It also shows whether or not they are able to stay calm under pressure.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to handle stress in a constructive manner. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty staying calm under pressure or that they tend to crumble when faced with adversity.

16.  What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on in a past position?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to find interesting projects. It also shows whether or not they are able to see the potential in a project.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to find interesting projects and see the potential in them. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty finding interesting projects or that they tend to be uninspired by their work.

17.  Tell us about our company. Why do you want to work here?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to research a company. It also shows whether or not they are truly interested in working for the company.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to research a company and that they are interested in working for the company. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty researching companies or that they are not particularly interested in working for the company.

18.  Tell me about a time when you had to develop a new skill. How do you approach the learning process?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to learn new skills. It also shows whether or not they are able to approach the learning process in a constructive manner.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to learn new skills and that they have a constructive approach to the learning process. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty learning new skills or that they tend to have a negative attitude when it comes to learning.

19.  Describe how to make a paper plane with just words?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to communicate clearly. It also shows whether or not they are able to provide detailed instructions.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to communicate clearly and provide detailed instructions. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty communicating or that they tend to be vague when it comes to giving directions.

20.  What is your dream job?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to articulate their goals. It also shows whether or not they are able to think long-term about their career.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to articulate their goals and that they have thought about their long-term career. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty articulating their goals or that they tend to think only short-term when it comes to their career.

21.  What are your strengths?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to identify their strengths. It also shows whether or not they are able to use their strengths to their advantage.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are able to identify their strengths and that they know how to use them to their advantage. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty identifying their strengths or that they tend to underestimate themselves.

22.  What are your weaknesses?

This question allows you to assess the candidate's ability to identify their weaknesses. It also shows whether or not they are willing to work on improving their weaknesses.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are aware of their weaknesses and that they are willing to work on improving them. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they have difficulty identifying their weaknesses or that they tend to be in denial about their shortcomings.

23.  Do you have any questions for me?

This is a classic and great question to end the interview with. It allows the candidate to ask any questions they may have about the position or company. It also shows whether or not they are truly interested in the position.

If the candidate is able to answer this question, it shows that they are interested in the position and that they have thought about the company. If they are unable to do so, it could be an indication that they are not particularly interested in the position or that they have not given much thought to the company.

Ending the interview with this question gives you a chance to gauge the candidate's interest level and also leaves them with a positive impression of you as an interviewer. Asking thoughtful questions throughout the interview will also give you a better sense of whether or not the candidate is a good fit for the position.

Need Help Finding the Perfect Candidate? Work with a Local Staffing Agency!

If you're having difficulty finding the right candidate for your open position, consider working with a staffing agency. Staffing agencies have access to a large pool of potential candidates and can help you find the best possible match for your company.

Working with a staffing agency can save you time and energy in the long run, so it's definitely worth considering if you're struggling to find the right candidate on your own.

Final Thoughts

By asking these questions, you will be able to get a better sense of the candidate's skills, abilities, and interests. These questions will also help you to assess the candidate's ability to research a company, learn new skills, communicate clearly, and articulate their goals. Asking these questions will give you a better understanding of the candidate and whether or not they are a good fit for the position.

When conducting an interview, it is important to remember to be professional, respectful, and courteous at all times. Taking these steps will help to ensure that you are conducting a successful interview and that you are making a good impression on the candidate.