24 shock or classic questions to ask at a job interview
Got a job interview coming up? Prepare yourself: the questions you ask or hear, whether shocking or more traditional, can make all the difference.
For recruiters, asking the right questions will give them a better idea of a candidate's motivations and skills. And for candidates, knowing what to ask in return can demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the job.
In this article, we guide you through 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. So let us ask you a question too: are you ready to turn a simple meeting into an opportunity? Let's get started! 🔥
Recruiters: what questions should you ask in an interview?
Questions to assess the candidate's motivation
1- Why did you leave your last job?
This question is crucial for understanding the candidate's motivations and ability to handle tricky situations.
🤓 A "good" answer must :
- Be honest while remaining positive ;
- avoid criticising former employers or colleagues ;
- instead highlight reasons such as the search for new challenges or the desire to progress ;
- demonstrate maturity and determination.
2- Why did you apply for this vacancy?
This is the candidate's opportunity to demonstrate their interest in the company. A good candidate will have done their research and will be able to mention specific aspects such as :
- the company's culture
- its values
- or future plans.
This is an opportunity for candidates to highlight their skills and show how they align with the job to strengthen their applications.
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-seated motivations and professional preferences, and helps to check whether their profile matches the company's culture.
- The best candidates value positive aspects such as teamwork and the acquisition of skills.
- On negative aspects, they talk about challenges without directly criticising, showing what they have 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 help you 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 their potential to contribute.
5- What do you see yourself doing with us?
Asking this question helps to assess whether the candidate really projects themselves into the role and whether they have thought about their contribution in the short and long term. A precise answer that is aligned with the company's projects and culture shows real commitment.
What kind of response 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 their mistakes, which is crucial in a professional environment. A mature candidate will be able to :
- describe the situation in a factual manner
- explain the actions they have taken to correct the mistake,
- and share the lessons learned.
7- How does this job fit in with your long-term career goals?
Assessing whether the candidate has a clear vision of his or her professional development is a good way of gauging motivation.
The best profiles will be able to articulate how this job 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 is often a lasting investment for the team.
Examples of "shock" questions to enhance the assessment of skills and adaptation
8- How do you manage your priorities and deadlines?
This question assesses the candidate's ability to organise their work and manage several tasks at once. A well-structured candidate will be able to describe his or her method of prioritising, planning projects and meeting deadlines. The answers may also reveal their 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 ability to learn and their responsiveness in situations where they have to change quickly. A motivated candidate will explain how they approached training or acquiring new expertise, demonstrating their willingness to learn and adapt to the company's needs.
10- How do you deal with stress or 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. The answers can shed light on their interpersonal dynamics and adaptability in collaborative contexts.
12- How do you keep up to date with developments in your sector?
This question assesses whether candidates are proactive in their approach to continuous learning and whether they follow trends in their sector. Candidates who mention specific sources (reading, training, conferences) show their interest in the company's development and their ability to remain relevant in their field.
Candidates: what questions should you ask at interview?
Questions to help you understand the job and the working environment
1- What are the company's priorities this year?
Asking this question shows that you are already committed and want to make your contribution. 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 to project yourself and know where to focus your efforts from the outset. In addition, it shows that you are 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 that 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 company 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 the personal and professional growth of its employees.
5- What are the company's teleworking policies?
This question is vital for assessing the work-life balance you can achieve. It also tells you how flexible the company is and how it is adapting to new working practices. This can reveal whether the organisation attaches importance to its employees' autonomy and to reconciling their private and professional lives.
6- What training programmes and professional development opportunities are there?
By asking this question, you show 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 retaining its teams.
Questions to avoid at interview
7- Are you thinking of hiring me?
Asking this question can give the impression that you lack patience or tact. It's better 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 job?
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 raise the subject or for the recruitment process to progress further. By discussing this question later, you can show that you are mainly interested in the content of the job and the opportunities for development.
Tips for bringing the interview to a close
9- Choose the last question wisely
The last question is crucial to making a lasting impression. Choose a question that shows your interest in the job and the company. It shows that you are thoughtful and have an overview.
10- Show your interest in the job
Ask a question that shows your motivation: for example, ask about current or future projects to which you could contribute. This illustrates your desire to see yourself in the role.
11- Tailor your question to your background
Adapt your last question to your own experience and skills. Show how these could be beneficial to the company, highlighting your added value.
12- Opt for open questions
Open-ended questions encourage the recruiter to provide detailed answers, thereby enriching the discussion. This encourages a more natural exchange and gives you the opportunity to clarify certain points that are important for your decision.
Recruiters: how do you prepare for a job interview?
For recruiters, preparing for an interview is just as essential as for candidates. Good preparation maximises the chances of finding the ideal profile. Here are the key steps to an effective interview:
- Identify the skills and qualities that are essential for the job. This will guide your choice of questions and help structure the interview around precise criteria.
- Tailor your questions to the candidate's background. This encourages a genuine exchange and shows that you have taken the time to get to know their profile.
- Prepare a welcoming environment to put the candidate at ease and facilitate sincere exchanges. This also enhances the company's image.
- Structure the interview to cover the candidate's technical skills, personality and values. A clear outline will give you an overall view of the 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 really committed and that you've thought about what's at stake in the job. It shows the recruiter that you are 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 to be achieved, you can assess whether the job matches your skills and professional ambitions.
- Asking questions during the interview shows your ability to engage in conversation and express your needs, qualities that are sought after in many positions.
If you are well prepared, you can approach the interview with confidence and increase your chances of convincing the recruiter that you are 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 to identify candidates' potential and determine their suitability for the company. As for the candidates, asking relevant questions not only demonstrates their interest; it also gives them a better understanding of the position, the team and the company culture.
Preparing well for the interview, whether you're on one side of the table or the other, helps to create 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