The Best Interview Questions
We are often asked for help with interview questions! Here are some of our favorites. The first set of questions is based on Pat Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player. The second set are ones that we’ve just found to be useful. What questions would you add?
Humble, Hungry and Smart
HUMBLE
Describe your current Team. What do you like and dislike?
What are the most important accomplishments of your career?
What was the most embarrassing moment in your career? Your biggest failure?
How did you handle that embarrassment or failure?
What is your greatest weakness?
How do you handle apologies, either giving or accepting them?
Can you tell me about someone who is better than you in an area that really matters to you?
HUNGRY
What is the hardest you’ve ever worked on something in your life?
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
What was your work ethic like when you were a teenager?
What kinds of hours do you generally work?
How do you motivate yourself if you’re feeling in a slump?
SMART (Note this refers to Emotional Intelligence!)
Have you ever worked with a difficult colleague or boss? How did you handle the situation?
How would you describe your personality?
What do you do that others in your personal life might find annoying?
What kind of people annoy you the most, and how do you deal with them?
Would your former colleagues describe you as an empathetic person?
Can you give an example of how you’ve demonstrated empathy to a teammate?
Other Questions:
Job Skills
What type of experience do you bring into this job?
How would you explain your role to a stranger?
(Insert more technical questions here related to specific role).
Leadership
Talk about your leadership experience – how would your team describe your leadership style?
What are your hot buttons when leading a team – what aggravates you the most?
Share an example of a team you have led that is under stress, whether it be external or internal. How have you motivated and encouraged the team to keep moving forward?
How do you assess talent?
Motivation
What are your short and long term career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?
How do you define career success?
What strategies have you used to manage multiple deadlines?
What skills would you be hoping to develop if selected for this role?
Problem Solving
What is a problem you came across in the workplace and how did you solve it?
Tell me about a time when you had to change your planned course of action at the last moment. How did you handle this situation?
How would you handle a disgruntled customer/client?
If you notice a concerning trend (i.e., revenues trending downward), how would you go about setting up a strategy for moving forward?
Teamwork
How do you build rapport among colleagues?
Do you prefer to work with a team or working independently?
Cultural Fit
How would you describe your ideal work environment?
Tell me about a time you had to go outside of your role to help another team member.
How do you like to interact with your co-workers?
Self-Awareness
Describe your strengths and weaknesses and how you use them to your advantage?
Tell me about a time you sought out help at work.
Social Skills
How do you manage stress?
What skills are you hoping to develop?