The Best Interview Questions to Ask and What Answers You’re Looking For

So you’ve read through all of the applications and narrowed your choice down to a handful of candidates. What you need now are interview questions that dig deeper into what you need to know in order to select the best fit for your organisation. Here are the best questions to ask at interview and the answers you’re looking for:

• Why do you want to work in this role?

This question is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their passion for the role. You don’t want to hire someone to do a job that they don’t enjoy because the quality of work will be lower and they might not stay in the job for very long. 

You’re looking for candidates who exemplify their interest in the position and industry with books/podcasts they have read/listened to on the subject; experience they have collected and anecdotes of when and why they have loved this career in the past. 

Also, ensure that interviewees have researched the role and have an interest in it. You can see this if they explain what interests them about the role and what led them to apply. Ask which aspects of the position the candidates think they would excel at and why; and which aspects are a chance for them to develop their skills.

• Why do you want to work at this organisation?

Equally as important as someone who fits the role is hiring someone who would fit into the organisation because they share your values and enthusiasm. Candidates should have researched your company so they can explain what attracted them to the company and exactly how they would fit in perfectly with the culture.

• How would you improve our product/service?

This question or a variation of it is a candidate’s chance to demonstrate how they would be an asset to the company and why you should hire them. If an interviewee can identify and explain how they would improve an area of your business, they demonstrate their expertise and value to your organisation.

• Describe yourself in five words.

This is an opportunity for you to find out a little more about the candidates. Ensure interviewees give examples of when they have demonstrated the qualities they have attributed themselves with, so you don’t just have to take their word for it.

• What is your greatest weakness?

In the answer to this question, you’re looking for candidates to demonstrate their self-awareness and ability to overcome their weaknesses. For example, they may not be a natural public speaker but this could be a skill they have practised to improve. You’re not looking for someone who says they have no weaknesses as this is impossible and may reflect arrogance.

• Can you give an example of when you…

There are many variations of this question: Can you give an example of when you overcame a difficult situation? Can you give an example of when you improved systems? Can you give an example of when you managed a project to time and budget? The answers to these questions will give you more insight into a candidate’s experience and how effectively they will be able to carry out tasks in the role.