PROVOKING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WITH SAMPLE ANSWERS

Why Do Employers Ask Thought-Provoking Questions?

Employers commonly ask thought-provoking questions to allow candidates to express their thoughts on complex topics that relate to the position for which they're applying. Thought-provoking questions can allow interviewers to understand candidates' motivations, values, goals and interests. A candidate's answers to these types of questions may help employers determine if they're a good fit for the role and the organization.

Video: Scenario-Based Interview Questions: What They Are & How to REALLY Answer Them https://youtu.be/cQNC7imT2rI

General Interview Questions

Here are 10 general interview questions that may be thought-provoking:

  • How do you maintain your motivation when working on a project that takes months to complete?
  • What three adjectives might your friends use to describe you?
  • What's your greatest strength?
  • Are there any recent innovations in science or technology that have inspired you?
  • What can employers do to support you in your roles?
  • Give me an example of a time when you had to compromise and explain how you felt about it?
  • What's your biggest weakness?
  • Why are you interested in working here?
  • What are some things that may make this job more enjoyable for you?
  • What do you value most in your jobs?

Video: Interview Question: What is Your Greatest Weakness? https://youtu.be/_fo90uVT_jM
A career coach at Indeed, explains how to best answer the tricky interview question, “What is your greatest weakness?”

Questions About Experience and Background

Here are 10 thought-provoking interview questions about experience and background:

  • What key components of your background qualify you for this position?
  • Can you tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge at work?
  • Can you give an example of how you've improved as an employee or leader?
  • What's the most challenging project on which you've worked?
  • Have there been any notable successes or challenges in your career?
  • What makes you passionate about your work?
  • How did your major in school prepare you for today's job market and economy?
  • Who's been the most influential person in your life and why?
  • What's your biggest accomplishment?
  • How are you different from other candidates applying for this position?

Video: Interview Question: Tell Me a Time You Made a Mistake at Work https://youtu.be/aXHp8RIlM8M
A career coach at Indeed, explains how to best answer the tricky interview question, “Tell me a time you made a mistake at work.”

In-depth interview questions

Here are 10 in-depth interview questions that are thought-provoking:

  • What do you consider the biggest gap in our organization, and what steps may you take to address it?
  • What does success mean to you, and how do you know when you've attained it?
  • How can we make our organization more profitable or successful in the future?
  • What challenges do you see the company facing in the next few years, and how can you help us prepare?
  • What do you think is the best way to encourage creativity in an organization or team?
  • What are some things that inspire you?
  • How do you define yourself?
  • What's one piece of advice or knowledge that's changed your life and why?
  • What values are most important to you?
  • What kind of organizational culture do you prefer?

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/thought-provoking-interview-questions