The 10 best interview questions to ask candidates

Most hiring managers will tell you they don't love interviewing. It's harder than it looks, especially when it comes to picking the best questions to ask candidates. With 34% of organizations saying they found it difficult to hire over the last 12 months, sharpening how you interview can make a real difference in who you hire.

The right questions get you past the canned answers and initiate a conversation that actually tells you something. Here are our 10 best interview questions to ask candidates, plus what to listen for in their answers.

1. Tell me about yourself

A classic interview opener for good reason. It's an easy way to get the conversation moving, and it gives candidates room to summarize their experience and value in their own words. Their answer also helps you shape where the rest of the interview goes.

2. What do you know about the role and the company?

This one separates candidates who've done their homework from those who haven't. A strong answer balances genuine interest with real value they'd bring. Ask it early, so there's time to fill in any gaps.

3. Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge

If you want to assess a candidate’s adaptability and problem-solving skills, this behavioral question should be on your list. The challenge itself matters less than how they worked through it.

4. How do you handle feedback or disagreement with a manager or teammate?

This question shows you how a candidate handles conflict and criticism, which says a lot about how they'll fit into your team. Look for someone who can talk through a real example calmly and constructively, rather than brushing over it or getting defensive.

5. What professional achievement are you most proud of?

Whether or not it's on their resume, this answer reveals what a candidate values and how they work. The strongest answers will include how their win helped the wider team or business.

6. If hired, what would you prioritize in your first six months?

Save this one for final-round interviews, once you're narrowing your shortlist. It shows you how the candidate pictures themselves in the role and tests their ambition, knowledge, and fit.

7. Why did you apply for this role?

Interviews tend to focus on what the candidate can offer you. This question flips that, showing you what they're looking for, whether that's career growth, industry change, or a certain kind of environment. Fit runs both ways.

8. What's your ideal work environment?

This helps you gauge culture fit. Someone who thrives with autonomy and a relaxed pace, for example, might struggle in a fast-moving, high-pressure team, even if their skills are a match.

9. What are your salary expectations?

It's worth confirming early on that candidates' expectations are in the same ballpark as your budget. Our salary guides can help you benchmark the right range, so you can set expectations with confidence from the first conversation.

10. Do you have any questions?

This is a natural way to close the interview, and it's one of the most telling questions you can ask because it shows how genuinely interested a candidate is.

Pay attention to what they’re curious about. Questions about the role, company, and team point to real interest. Questions that only cover salary or other open positions might mean their interest is more about any job, not this one.

Prepping for interviews takes more than the right questions. Read our top tips for conducting interviews for more. Or if you’d like more tailored advice, talk to our recruitment consultants for one-on-one support.