Job interviews, they’re everywhere, aren’t they? In case you’re running out of good questions to use, here are my 100 power questions that are guaranteed to get the discussion going. I’ve grouped the questions to 10 categories or themes. I would personally typically ask 1-3 questions per theme during a standard interview. Not every question is ideal for every discussion, so choose wisely. Have fun!

Opening

• “How are you feeling today?”
• “How does it feel to to be here with me today?”
• “What would you like to start with?”
• “How would you like to introduce yourself?”
• “What is the first thing that you want me to know about you?”
• “What are your expectations for our meeting today?”
• “What is the reason you are here today?”
• “You have 5 minutes to make a first impression – go ahead!”
• “How would you like to use our time together today?”
• “Before we start with you, what would you like to know about me?”

Experiences and career

• “How would you define your professional profile?”
• “What are the main building blocks of your professional profile?”
• “What would be important to know from your professional experience?”
• “What would you like to highlight from your career so far?”
• “Which experiences on your career have shaped you the most?”
• “What are the biggest learnings you’ve had so far on your career?”
• “What kind of career goals or plans do you have?”
• “How do you see yourself developing as a professional in the future?”
• “What things do expect to happen in your professional life during the next 10 years?”
• “What kind of role does work have in your life?”

Application and candidature

• “What made you apply for this particular opening?” (if applied)
• “What is the most attractive thing about this opportunity for you?”
• “What are your main doubts or concerns regarding this opportunity?”
• “What do you think about our organisation?”
• “How do you think you compare to other candidates for this role?”
• “What would you like to learn in this role?”
• “How has the recruitment process been so far?”
• “What kind of jobs have you recently applied for?”
• “How does this opportunity compare to your current (or most recent) job?”
• “What makes you stand out as the best fit for this particular opening?”

Motivation and drivers

• “What kind of work tasks or situations do you usually enjoy the most?”
• “What aspect of your current (or most recent) job would you change if you could?”
• “Can you tell me of some situation at work when you were really motivated?”
• “If someone wanted to demotivate you, what would be the best way to do that?”
• “What’s needed to get 100% out of you?”
• “What would be the most motivating worklife scenario you can imagine?”
• “What’s your biggest dream?”
• “If you would start your own company, what would it do?”
• “What kind of professional environment makes you thrive?”
• “What kind of things at work make you feel good?”

Personality and working style

• “How would others describe your working style?”
• “Which aspects of your personality are the most visible?”
• “When you get feedback from others, what things are usually mentioned?”
• “How would you describe yourself in five words?”
• “What kind of first impression do you usually make?”
• “What kinds of things do you pay the most attention to?”
• “How do you usually spend your working days?”
• “How do you like to approach your work?”
• “What kind of reputation do you have?”
• “What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself?”

Strengths and superpowers

• “What do you see as your greatest assets?”
• “If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower?”
• “What does your current (or most recent) boss really like about you?”
• “Thinking about your greatest achievements, what made you succeed?”
• “What’s your most visible and evident strength as a person?”
• “What’s the one thing about you that is really valuable for any employer?”
• “What would be something that’s difficult for most people but really easy for you?”
• ”Where could you set an example to others?”
• ”What competence would you bring with you to our organisation?”
• ”What’s the biggest benefit we’ll get from having you onboard?”

Development areas and pitfalls

• “In what kind of situations are you least likely to succeed?”
• “What is the biggest disadvantage you have?”
• “How do you compensate for your weak areas?”
• “When do you usually seek help from others?”
• “If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?”
• “Tell me about something that’s easy for most people but difficult for you.”
• “In what kind of situations can your biggest strength become counterproductive?”
• ”Where would you like to improve?”
• ”What is your main limitation concerning the requirements of this opening?”
• ”If you quit in this job after one year, what would be the reason?”

Team dynamics and leadership match

• “What kind of people do you like to have around you?”
• “What kind of people are the most difficult for you to get along with?”
• “What kind of people are most likely to be annoyed with you?”
• “From your point of view, what would be an ideal team?”
• “What kind of role do you usually take in groups?”
• “What kind of boss would be ideal for you?”
• “How do you like to be lead?”
• “What do you need from your boss to feel good and succeed in your work?”
• “In what kind of situations do you usually turn to your manager?”
• “Who’s the best manager you’ve had on your career so far, and why?”

Expectations and practicalities

• “What do we still need to clarify?”
• “What kind of offer would you need in order to seriously consider this opportunity?”
• “Do you have any questions regarding the practicalities of the work?”
• “What things do you need to know before agreeing to work with us?”
• “What kind of compensation package would be ideal for you?”
• “What aspects of your current (or most recent) job would you like to maintain?”
• “What are the main dealmakers or dealbreakers for you?”
• “What additional information would you like to have about this opportunity?”
• “What kind of things do we still need to negotiate about?”
• “When could you start working here?”

Closing

• “Did we manage to meet your expectations for this meeting?”
• “Are you still interested in this opportunity and working for us?”
• “Is there anything more you would like to discuss today?”
• “Is there anything you would like to add or highlight regarding what we’ve already gone through?”
• “How would you summarize our discussion today?”
• “What would you like to say in conclusion?”
• “How would you like to continue?”
• “After our discussion today, how do you feel?”
• “What would be your feedback about this discussion today?”
• “When should I be in touch with you?”