Shake Up Your Interview Questions

What are your strengths? 

What are your weaknesses? 

What's your leadership style? 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

The chances are, we’ve all been on the receiving end of these questions at some point in our careers. And let’s face it—they sound a bit... vanilla, don’t they?

Over the years, I’ve had countless marketers tell me about their interview experiences, and one recurring theme has emerged: some interview questions are, in a word, bland. Because they’re bland, they set the tone for an interview experience that feels uninspired, boring, and completely forgettable. Not exactly the vibe you want when searching for top talent, is it?

Here’s the problem: 

These questions lack depth. They often feel like a box-ticking exercise designed to satisfy HR policies rather than genuinely uncovering the unique skills, experiences, and personalities of candidates.

It’s Time to Elevate the Interview Game

If you’re looking to create a more engaging and insightful interview experience, why not swap out the clichés for some standout questions? Questions that provoke thought, uncover authentic stories, and spark meaningful conversations.

Here are a few examples of questions that can make your interviews shine:

• Tell me something about yourself that would surprise me.
  This encourages candidates to share something memorable and unique about themselves, creating a more personal connection.

• Tell me about the last time you failed at something. What did you learn?
  Failure is a part of growth. This question reveals how a candidate learns, adapts, and handles setbacks.

• Can you share an example of the last time you helped a work colleague out?
  This sheds light on their teamwork, empathy, and collaborative spirit.

• What excites you about this role?
  Passion and motivation often make the difference between a good candidate and a great one. This question dives into what drives them.

• How do you think we can be better?
  This is a great way to gauge their ability to identify opportunities for improvement and their willingness to share ideas.

• What does the ideal work environment look like to you?
  Understanding what candidates value in a workplace helps you assess cultural fit and how you can support their success.

Food for Thought

If you’re gearing up to conduct interviews this week, take a moment to think more creatively about your approach. The right questions can turn a routine interview into an engaging and memorable experience—one that leaves candidates inspired and excited to work with you. And who knows? You might even learn something surprising about your next hire.

Let’s ditch the vanilla and add some spice to the interview process!

Contact Lucy!

Looking for a new role? Reach out to Lucy at New Chapter Talent via:

✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au

Or connect with Lucy over on LinkedIn. She is a wealth of knowledge in all things recruitment!

For more insights, news, career opportunities and job vacancies, follow New Talent Chapter on LinkedIn.