24 shock or classic questions to ask at a job interview
Got a job interview coming up? Be prepared: the questions you ask or hear, whether shocking or more conventional, can make all the difference.
For recruiters, asking the right questions can help them better understand a candidate's motivations and skills. As for candidates, knowing what to ask in return can demonstrate their interest and understanding of the position.
In this article, we guide you in the art of asking the right questions, those that reveal both a candidate's potential and the company's culture. On both sides, choosing the right words opens the door to an enriching and promising discussion.
Whether you're looking for that rare pearl or the ideal job, follow these tips to succeed at every stage of the interview. Then let us ask you a question: are you ready to turn a simple meeting into an opportunity? Let's get started! 🔥
Recruiters: what interview questions should you ask?
Questions to assess a candidate's motivation
1- Why did you leave your last position?
This question is crucial to understanding the candidate's motivations and ability to handle delicate situations.
🤓 A "good" answer must :
- be honest while remaining positive ;
- avoid criticizing former employers or colleagues ;
- emphasize reasons such as the search for new challenges or the desire to progress;
- demonstrate maturity and determination.
2- Why did you apply for this position?
This is the candidate's opportunity to demonstrate his or her interest in the company. A good candidate will have done his or her research and will be able to mention specific aspects such as :
- corporate culture,
- values
- or future plans.
It's an opportunity for candidates to highlight their skills and show how they align with the position to strengthen their candidacies.
3- What did you like best and least about your past work experience?
Understanding what candidates liked and disliked about their experiences reveals their deep-rooted motivations and professional preferences, and helps to verify whether their profile matches the company's culture.
- The best candidates value positive aspects such as teamwork and skills acquisition.
- On negative aspects, they mention challenges without directly criticizing, showing what they learned from them.
- A balanced response demonstrates maturity and the ability to learn.
☝️ Our advice: beware of overly critical or smooth answers, which may indicate a lack of adaptability or sincerity.
Questions to understand the candidate's skills and adaptability
4- What do you have that others don't?
This question seeks to reveal what sets the candidate apart from other profiles. Encourage them to highlight :
- specific skills,
- unique experience
- or personal qualities that could be an asset to your company.
📊 The most convincing candidates will cite concrete achievements, proving their uniqueness and potential for contribution.
5- What do you see yourself doing with us?
Asking this question helps assess whether the candidate really projects themselves into the role, and whether they've thought through their contribution in the short and long term. A precise answer aligned with the company's projects and culture shows real commitment.
What answer should I look for? The best candidates will talk about their objectives and how their skills fit into future projects, indicating their potential impact and adaptability.
6- Tell us about a mistake you made. What did you learn from it?
This question highlights the candidate's ability to learn from mistakes, which is crucial in a professional environment. A mature candidate will be able to :
- describe the situation factually,
- explain the actions taken to correct the error,
- and share the lessons learned.
7- How does this position fit in with your long-term career objectives?
Evaluating whether the candidate has a clear vision of his or her professional development is a good way of assessing motivation.
The best profiles will be able to articulate how this position meets their ambitions, whether through the development of specific skills or progression to roles of responsibility. A candidate with a long-term vision of the company often represents a lasting investment for the team.
Examples of "shock" questions to enrich the assessment of skills and adaptation
8- How do you manage your priorities and deadlines?
This question assesses the candidate's ability to organize his or her work and manage several tasks at once. A structured candidate will be able to describe his or her method for prioritizing, planning projects and meeting deadlines. Answers may also reveal the ability to remain flexible in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
9- Tell us about a project where you had to acquire new skills quickly.
This question is useful for understanding the candidate's capacity to learn and his responsiveness in situations where he has to evolve rapidly. A motivated candidate will explain how they approached training or the acquisition of new expertise, demonstrating their willingness to learn and adapt to the company's needs.
10- How do you deal with stress and pressure?
This question gives an insight into the candidate's resilience and stress management, qualities that are indispensable in demanding environments. Recruiters may be looking for specific examples of situations where the candidate has demonstrated calm, quick decision-making and problem-solving in times of high pressure.
11- Can you describe a concrete example where you worked as part of a team to achieve an objective?
As teamwork is often crucial, this question explores the candidate's ability to collaborate with others, share responsibilities and communicate effectively. Answers can shed light on interpersonal dynamics and adaptability in collaborative contexts.
12- How do you keep abreast of developments in your sector?
This question assesses whether candidates are proactive in their continuous learning process and whether they keep abreast of trends in their sector. Candidates who mention specific sources (readings, training courses, conferences) show their interest in company developments and their ability to remain relevant in their field.
Candidates: what questions should you ask at interview?
Questions to understand the position and the working environment
1- What are the company's priority projects this year?
Asking this question shows that you're already committed and want to contribute. By discovering the company's key projects, you can also assess how your skills and experience could support these strategic objectives. It also gives you an insight into the company's current priorities and vision for the future.
2- What will I have to do for you to tell me in 6 months' time that I've succeeded?
This question reveals your performance orientation and your desire to understand the precise expectations for this position. It invites the recruiter to define indicators of success, which helps you project yourself and know where to focus your efforts from the outset. What's more, it shows that you're ready to assume your responsibilities and meet the objectives set.
3- How did the person who held this position evolve before?
By asking this question, you're exploring the development prospects this position could offer. Depending on the answer, you'll know whether this role is a stepping stone to greater responsibilities, or whether it's more focused on long-term stability. This allows you to anticipate whether the position is aligned with your own professional ambitions and career path.
Questions for understanding corporate culture and HR practices
4- How does the performance appraisal process work?
Ask how your performance will be assessed, so that you understand the company's expectations. This helps you understand the objectives and adapt to the talent management system. A structured appraisal can indicate that the company values its employees' personal and professional growth.
5- What are the company's telecommuting policies?
This question is crucial in assessing the work-life balance you can achieve. It also tells you about the company's degree of flexibility and its adaptation to new working practices. This can reveal whether the organization values its employees' autonomy and the reconciliation of their private and professional lives.
6- What training programs and professional development opportunities are available?
By asking this question, you demonstrate your commitment to developing and progressing within the company. It also shows whether the company invests in developing its employees' skills and supports continuous learning. A company offering such opportunities often reflects a culture of valuing talent and building team loyalty.
Interview questions to avoid
7- Are you thinking of hiring me?
Asking this question can give the impression that you lack patience or tact. It's best to let the recruiter conclude the assessment without pressure. Instead, ask about the next steps in the recruitment process. This shows your professionalism and interest without appearing pushy.
8- What is the salary for the position?
Raising the question of salary at the first interview can give the impression that your motivation is purely financial. It's better to wait for the recruiter to bring up the subject, or for the recruitment process to progress further. Discussing this question later on will show that you are primarily interested in the content of the job and the opportunities for development.
Tips for closing the interview
9- Choose your last question wisely
The last question is crucial to making a lasting impression. Choose a question that shows your interest in the position and the company. It shows that you're thoughtful and have a global vision.
10- Show your interest in the position
Ask a question that demonstrates your motivation: for example, ask about current or future projects to which you could contribute. This illustrates your willingness to project yourself into the role.
11- Personalize your question to suit your background
Adapt your last question to your own experience and skills. Show how your skills could benefit the company, highlighting your added value.
12- Opt for open-ended questions
Open-ended questions encourage the recruiter to provide detailed answers, enriching the discussion. This encourages a more natural exchange and gives you the opportunity to clarify certain points that are important to your decision-making.
Recruiters: how to prepare for a job interview?
For recruiters, preparing for an interview is just as essential as for candidates. Good preparation maximizes your chances of finding the ideal candidate. Here are the key steps to an effective interview:
- Identify the skills and qualities that are essential for the job. This guides your choice of questions and helps structure the interview around precise criteria.
- Personalize your questions to the candidate's background. This encourages a genuine exchange and shows that you've taken the time to get to know their profile.
- Prepare a welcoming environment to put the candidate at ease and facilitate sincere exchanges. It also enhances the company's image.
- Structure the interview to address the candidate's technical skills, personality and values. A clear outline will give you an overall view of your profile.
Candidates: why is it important to prepare and ask questions at interview?
Preparing for an interview isn't just about honing your answers. Asking the right questions also plays a key role in your success. ✍️ Here's why:
- You show that you're genuinely committed to the job, and that you've thought about what's at stake. It shows the recruiter that you're motivated and curious.
- The interview is an opportunity to find out more about the environment in which you could be working. Questions about values, working methods and career prospects will help you to determine whether the company matches your expectations.
- By asking questions about responsibilities, projects or objectives, you can assess whether the position matches your skills and professional ambitions.
- Asking questions during the interview shows your ability to engage in conversation and express your needs - qualities sought after in many positions.
Well-prepared, you approach the interview with confidence and increase your chances of convincing the recruiter that you're the ideal candidate. 💪
A successful interview is a mission accomplished thanks to the right questions
Mastering the essential questions to ask in a job interview is crucial to standing out in a competitive job market. A job interview, whether for the recruiter or the candidate, is based on a balanced exchange in which everyone prepares and asks the right questions.
For recruiters, well-chosen questions help identify candidates' potential and determine their suitability for the company. As for candidates, asking relevant questions not only demonstrates their interest, but also gives them a better understanding of the position, the team and the corporate culture.
Good interview preparation, whether you're on one side of the table or the other, creates a sincere and constructive encounter. The interview thus becomes more than a simple question-and-answer exchange: it's an opportunity to forge a promising professional relationship and lay the foundations for a successful collaboration.
Article translated from French