3 Questions That Made Me a Better Interviewer Overnight

Years ago, I sat in on an interview with a hiring manager who wasn’t particularly flashy. No tricks. No grandstanding. Just calm, curious questions.

But what stood out was how much the candidate opened up.

By the end, we had a clearer view of this person’s mindset, approach, and potential than we’d seen all month.

I stole 3 of his questions that day and I still use them to this day.

Here they are:

1. “What questions do you have for me?”

Ask this first, not at the end. I know it sounds counterintuitive but hear me out.

It flips the dynamic. Forces thinking over performing.

Watch how they approach the unknown. What they care about. How they navigate ambiguity.

2. “What was the hardest decision you made last year?”

Hiring (or changing jobs) is decision-making and this question shows how someone balances tradeoffs, handles uncertainty, and deals with consequences.

Dig into their process. That’s where the signal lives.

3. “What do people misunderstand about you at work?”

This one’s a curveball. It reveals self-awareness, adaptability, and often… humility.

Most people don’t prepare for it. Which is exactly why you should ask it.

Great Interviews Aren’t About Trick Questions

They’re about unlocking honest answers and these 3 questions do that better than any “tell me your strengths” question ever will.

If you want to run sharper interviews, don’t memorise more questions. Simply start asking better ones.

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