3 Questions Hiring Managers Should Ask During an Interview
3 Questions Hiring Managers Should Ask During an Interview
Get to know candidates on a deeper level
When it comes to finding the right candidate, it’s time to move beyond the standard “strengths and weaknesses” question, which often leads to rehearsed answers that don’t reveal much about the candidate’s true potential.
In fact, as a Business Teams and Leadership Coach specializing in the Enneagram, I’ve learned that asking a candidate what their “strengths and weaknesses are” is a double-edge sword because personality characteristics can be both a strength AND a weakness. It all depends on the situation.
Asking these 3 questions instead help you dig deeper than the standard “strengths and weaknesses” question, allowing you to assess a candidate’s personality, work style, and how they manage stress, all of which are critical for predicting success within the company.
Question #1 — What is a personality characteristic of yours that can be both a strength AND a weakness?
This question reveals self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and how well the candidate understands their impact on others. It also provides a more honest view of how they work, including how they manage their emotions. You can expect a more nuanced understanding of how the person will balance their strengths and potential challenges in the workplace.
Question #2 — What did you like and not like about your last job?
This question helps identify the candidate’s values, motivations, and what environments they thrive or struggle in. You can use this to assess cultural fit, and whether the role aligns with the candidate’s natural preferences. This answer also highlights the candidate’s approach to workplace challenges and how they frame experiences — positively or negatively.
Question #3 — What do you typically do for fun or to relax?
Understanding what the candidate does for fun or to unwind offers insight into their work-life balance, stress management, and overall personality. It humanizes the interview process and allows you to see the candidate as a whole person, beyond just their qualifications. You also gain insight into whether the candidate maintains healthy boundaries and how they recharge which is important for long-term and avoiding burnout.
By asking these questions, hiring managers can anticipate more genuine responses, enabling better assessments of cultural fit, adaptability, and long-term potential within the company.
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