50 essential questions to ask candidates at an interview

Job interviews are a challenge, but they’re essential. Conducting an interview is a crucial step in the recruitment process. As a recruiter, your mission is to assess whether the candidate has the skills, experience and cultural fit to excel in the position. But then, what are the relevant questions to ask to identify the ideal person? Have you already drawn up an effective list of interview questions?

We’ve put together a selection of questions to inspire you. They’ll help you get the conversation started, sometimes with a touch of humor to break the ice.

Here’s a list of 50 relevant questions to ask candidates during an interview, divided into categories to cover various aspects: skills, personality, motivations, and suitability for the job.

I. Professional skills and experience

1. Can you describe your career path in a few words?
2. What are your main responsibilities in your current (or most recent) position?
3. Can you give an example of a project you’re particularly proud of?
4. Have you ever had to solve a complex problem at work? How did you go about it?
5. How have you contributed to achieving (or exceeding) your team’s or company’s objectives?
6. What technical or specialist skills do you master best?
7. Can you describe a typical day in your previous role?
8. What tools or software do you use regularly in your work?
9. How do you manage tight deadlines and changing priorities?
10. What are your main career achievements to date?

II. Personality and character traits

11. How would you describe your communication style?
12. Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?
13. How do you deal with stress at work?
14. What qualities do your colleagues appreciate in you?
15. How do you respond to constructive criticism?
16. What do you do to stay motivated in difficult times?
17. Can you give an example of a situation in which you had to be creative?
18. Are you results-oriented or process-oriented? Why or why not?
19. What’s your greatest strength?
20. What’s your main weakness, and how do you address it?

III. Motivation and objectives

21. Why are you interested in this position?
22. What prompted you to consider leaving your current position?
23. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
24. What motivates you in your day-to-day work?
25. What attracts you most to our company?
26. What are your expectations of this position?
27. Do you prefer a structured or flexible work environment? Why or why not?
28. What do you think makes you unique from the other candidates?
29. What are your criteria for judging success in a role?
30. Do you have any passions or interests that positively influence your work?

IV. Suitability for the job and the company

31. What do you know about our company?
32. How do your previous experiences prepare you to succeed in this position?
33. What values are you looking for in an employer?
34. How do you make sure you stay aligned with the company’s objectives?
35. Can you give an example where you had to adapt quickly to a change?
36. How do you manage conflict within a team?
37. What are your expectations in terms of management?
38. How would you rate your ability to work with colleagues from different backgrounds?
39. Are you ready to undergo training or develop new skills?
40. How do you take on additional responsibilities when necessary?

V. Behavioral and situational issues

41. Tell me about a time when you failed and what you learned from it.
42. Tell us about a time when you made a difficult decision. How did you justify it?
43. How did you deal with a situation where you didn’t have all the information you needed to move forward?
44. Describe a time when you had to motivate a team.
45. Tell us about a time when you made improvements to a process.
46. How did you handle a criticism or disagreement with your superior?
47. Have you ever taken on a leadership role, even an informal one? If so, under what circumstances?
48. Tell me about a time when you exceeded the expectations of a customer or colleague.
49. Describe a situation where you had to juggle several priorities.
50. How do you adapt your working style to the needs of your colleagues or customers?

Your questions play a key role in the recruitment process: they need to be carefully chosen to ensure an accurate assessment and support your decision.

In a world of rapidly advancing technology, why not consider using candidate assessment software? This tool could save you time and optimize your resources before you even start interviewing.