During the job interview process, you can ask multiple questions to show your curiosity about the position and help determine if the company is a good match for you. Asking engaging questions shows the interviewer your thoughtfulness, insight and critical thinking. Preparing several captivating questions to use during interviews may make this process easier and help facilitate interesting conversations.
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In this article, we discuss why asking interesting questions may help you in an interview and showcase 84 fun interview questions you can use when applying for any job.
Why ask interesting interview questions?
Interviews allow job seekers and employers to learn more about each other and determine if they may work well together. Many interviews use standard questions about topics like work ethic and favorite hobbies to gauge a person’s personality and overall cultural fit for a company. When you ask interesting questions during a job interview, you showcase your personality and give the interviewer a better idea of who you are. You also show your potential employer your interests beyond your career. These questions may:
Lighten the conversation
Lightening up a job interview with fun questions may help you and your interviewer feel more comfortable. For example, you may ask a silly or funny question, if that aligns with your personality, to make them laugh and talk about light topics before discussing your job experience. Small talk may help both sides better understand each other and provide more insight into their personalities. It may also make talking about your life and experiences easier.
For instance, joking about your favorite superhero may make it easier to talk about your educational experiences by improving your mood before you talk about it. Additionally, if you’re a more serious person, you can ask interesting questions that aren’t silly. It’s essential to remain true to your personality and allow the conversation to flow naturally.
Create stronger personal connections
Asking interesting or personal questions may help build stronger connections between you and your potential employer. For example, you may learn more about their morals and ethics when asking unexpected and interesting questions. You can also learn about their personality and their opinions on various topics. Other questions may build a bond between you and the interviewer.
This may include sharing similar music or movie interests and bonding over mutual tastes. Though not relevant for employment, such information may make you more memorable when the company is deciding who to hire.
Teach you about an employer
You can use intriguing questions during a job interview to learn more about your employer. For example, asking them about their heroes shows the personality traits they value, such as ambition, honesty or success. You can also gauge how they represent the company and its overall philosophy and culture. This may include asking about how well they fit into the company, what other employees are like and what extra benefits the company provides.
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Discuss more serious subjects
More serious questions may engage your potential employer and expand your conversation in interesting ways. For example, you may ask them about current events. Doing so may also teach you more about the employer, and this information may help you better gauge their overall personality. You may even discover impressive moral and ethical qualities that make you like the company more. Avoid questions about politics, religion and other sensitive topics.
Interesting interview questions to ask
Consider asking any of these interesting questions during your next job interview to learn more about your employer:
Light questions
Here are some icebreaker questions that remain light and may open up the conversation:
1. What components do you think may cause the internet to fail?
2. Do you think fate has helped your business?
3. If this business had a yacht, what might you name it?
4. What’s one item you would take with you to a deserted island?
5. Can you tell me more about how this business started?
6. What’s the weirdest thing that has happened in your career?
7. Do you think artificial intelligence (AI) is dangerous?
8. Which famous person might you get to endorse this business if you had the means?
9. What is your favorite holiday memory?
10. What’s the funniest situation to happen in this business?
11. What’s your best childhood memory or favorite family tradition?
12. How does the business handle natural emergencies?
13. What is your favorite way to relax after a stressful week?
14. How might you expand this office if it was possible?
15. Do you think virtual reality workplaces can become a reality?
16. Who’s your favorite musical hero, and why?
17. What’s the best change this company has made?
18. Do you have a favorite season?
19. What rebranding would you do if money wasn’t an issue?
20. What was the best purchase for the business?
21. What is your favorite book, and why?
22. Are you binge-watching any TV shows right now?
23. What was the best concert you have attended?
24. Do you have a least favorite food from when you were younger that you still don’t like?
25. Do you think this company would make for an interesting video game concept?
Moderate questions
These moderate questions go deeper into an employer’s character and may tell you more about how the business operates:
26. What compliment is your favorite?
27. Do you have a solution for a natural crisis?
28. Is there a business mascot for the company?
29. Are you interested in starting any competitive office sports teams?
30. How do you think marketing affects business success?
31. Who were your favorite and least favorite teachers, and why?
32. What was your favorite subject in school and why?
33. How do you delegate tasks to your team?
34. Do you allow time to bring family members to the office?
35. Where is your favorite place in the office?
36. Are you working in your dream job?
37. Where’s your dream residence?
38. would you consider going into space if you had the means?
39. What’s the best lesson you ever learned?
40. Who helped this company succeed the most?
41. What historical figure or fictional character do you think embodies the company’s values?
42. How do employees feel about the amenities?
43. If you had the choice, what superpower would you have?
44. What’s your favorite meal?
45. What motivates you to succeed?
46. What’s the best description of the business?
47. How would you use time travel?
48. Do you take continuing education courses?
49. If you had the option, what would you tell your younger self?
Job-focused questions
If you can, relate job-focused questions to the company. Before going to your interview, research the organization’s website so you can ask relevant and interesting questions. Additionally, asking these deep questions focuses on more specific business-related topics and may help you better understand a business’s overall operation:
50. What personality traits thrive in this business?
51. Which personality traits do you prefer among employees?
52. What’s an unexpected element people don’t know about the company?
53. How does the company overcome challenges?
54. What do you think businesses can learn from films?
55. Who is the best example of a leader?
56. Are there any after-work events?
57. What science fiction device might serve this company the best?
58. What is your policy on PTO?
59. Do you think good morale is sustainable?
60. What is the best way to make customers happy?
61. Are there ride-sharing options available here?
62. Where do you believe the industry can be in 10 years?
63. What is your ideal work environment?
64. What is your measurement of a job well done?
65. Are there relaxation methods available here?
66. Is this company proud of its success?
67. How might you improve your company’s efficiency?
68. Do you use green or environmental processes?
69. Are office friendships okay?
70. What makes you excited about coming to work?
71. Is there a chance your office may relocate?
72. Is it possible for this company to expand to other markets soon?
73. Is this company open to idea sharing?
74. Can we brainstorm with other departments?
75. Are you familiar with time-management tools? Does the company use any?
76. Which business models does this company use?
77. Do you have any pets? Are pet visits allowed here?
78. If this business went international, where could it expand?
79. What is the best way to improve business success?
80. How do you encourage interdepartmental communication?
81. When was the last time the company recognized an employee’s efforts?
82. Are there technological upgrades in your future?
83. How important is customer loyalty? How do you maintain customer loyalty?
84. What is the last thing the company has done to celebrate its employees?
How to ask these interesting questions
During an interview, follow these steps to pick the best time to ask interesting questions:
1. Read the room
Before asking one of these questions, determine if it’s appropriate. For example, laid-back and personable interviewers may appreciate personal questions and open up to you more easily. Pay attention to everybody in the room, even those not talking to you. Pick questions that suit the individuals in the room and the topic of conversation.
Note what questions they ask during the interview and use them as a base when picking your stimulating questions to ask when it’s your turn. Additionally, maintain a balance between interesting and important questions. For instance, you may pick your top three interesting questions so you have time to ask questions about topics like benefits, salary and work hours. Be mindful of everyone’s time because your interviewers may have other meetings afterward.
2. Wait for an opening
Print a list of questions and keep it on hand during your interview. Include these questions with more focused job-centered questions, such as your benefits and salary, and wait for an opening to ask. Asking questions at appropriate times helps keep a conversation moving smoothly and keeps the interviewer happy by minimizing interruptions. For example, if the interviewer briefly discusses their attention to technological upgrades, ask about AI or virtual reality.
Timing your questions properly may keep the conversation smooth and may impress your interviewer with your wit and intelligence when asking questions.
3. Answer your question
When asking questions, prepare an answer for your employer before you sit down for the interview. After they answer the question, they may ask for your response to see if it’s compatible with theirs. A prepared response can help you answer this question smoothly and impress them. You may also address their points in your answer, highlighting where you agree and showcasing your compatibility with a company.
Additionally, you may use their answers to ask more unexpected questions and further expand this conversation into unique areas uncommon in many job interviews.
4. Engage in conversation
These types of questions may open up possible conversation avenues you can pursue during your interview. For example, discussing current topics may help you learn more about the employer. It can help you show off your intelligence and understanding. Keep conversations civil and light, focusing on significant but not controversial ideas.
Continually reinforce your beliefs and gauge whether they match the interviewers. When they do align, make sure your employer knows it by discussing your reasoning in more depth and further emphasizing your compatibility with a business.
5. Ask new questions when possible
Try to ask new and interesting questions throughout your interview, bringing them up whenever relevant and appropriate. Some questions may expand on current conversation topics and help your interview reach riveting areas. For example, your interviewer may briefly address volunteering opportunities within the company. You may then ask about related topics, like a company’s dedication to the environment and energy efficiency options.
I hope you find this article helpful.