The 10 best interview questions to ask candidates

There's a reason why you often hear hiring managers say they dislike interviewing—it's not always easy! Becoming a skilled interviewer requires practice and preparation, especially when it comes to the types of interview questions you bring to the meeting. With 34% of organizations saying they found it difficult to hire over the last 12 months, improving or polishing your interviewing skills can go a long way in securing the best fit.  

Preparing the right questions ensures you avoid canned responses (e.g., “My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist.”) and have more insightful conversations that streamline interview processes. Keep reading to discover our ten best interview questions to ask candidates and A-plus responses to look out for.

1. Tell me about yourself.

We’re starting off with a classic. Interviewers often choose this as their first question, and for good reason. It’s a natural prompt to get the conversation started, allowing candidates to give you a brief highlight-packed summary of their experience and value. Their response will also help orient the rest of the interview, so you can easily determine your next question.

2. What do you know about the role and the company?

This question will help you identify the candidates who are genuinely interested in the position, giving them the opportunity to showcase their research and reinforce why they're a suitable fit. A great response to this question balances their interest and value. We suggest asking this question early on to allow time to provide clarification if necessary.

3. Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge.

If you want to assess candidates’ adaptability and critical thinking skills, this behavioral question should be on your list. Often, the actual challenge is not nearly as important as their approach to resolving it.  

4. Why are you looking for a new role?

Another great way to determine whether the candidate will thrive in the role they’re interviewing for. If their answers align with the responsibilities of the position, that’s a positive sign that, if hired, they’ll enjoy their work.  

5. What professional achievement are you most proud of?

Whether or not their response to this question is on their application, the answer helps you learn more about the candidate’s values and work ethic. Bonus points if they can articulate how their accomplishment positively impacted their organization!

6. If hired, what would you prioritize in your first six months?

This question is ideal for final-round interviews when you’re trying to narrow down your shortlist. It gives you the opportunity to envision the candidate in the role and assess their ambition, knowledge, and suitability for the position.  

7. Why did you apply for this role?

In interviews, we often focus on what candidates can offer. While this is important, so is ensuring they find the role and company to be a good match for them. Asking this question will reveal what they’re looking for, whether that’s career progression, professional development, or a certain work environment.  

8. What’s your ideal work environment?

This question will help you determine whether a candidate is a good culture fit for the team. For example, a professional who prefers a relaxed, autonomous workplace may not be suited to a fast-paced environment.  

9. What are your salary expectations?

Ensuring candidates’ expectations are aligned with your budget for the role is important. Using salary benchmarking tools, like our salary guides, can help support your salary range.

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10. Do you have any questions?

You probably knew this one was coming. Not only is it a natural closer, but experts argue this is one of the most important interview questions, as it enables candidates to emphasize their interest and clarify any misunderstandings.

Consider the kinds of questions they ask. If their inquiries involve the role, company, and team (as opposed to solely focusing on salary, benefits, other open positions), you can assume their interest is sincere.

Conducting effective interviews involves more than just asking the right questions. 
Read our top tips for conducting interviews article.

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Interviewing can be time-consuming, especially when you factor in the preparation and hiring panel debriefs.  

If you need a helping hand, we’re perfect for the job. Our recruitment consultants are experts in interviewing candidates in your field, dedicated to securing you the right fit.

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