Types of Interview Questions to Know for Art of the Interview

Understanding different types of interview questions is key to mastering the Art of the Interview. Each question type serves a unique purpose, helping to create a dynamic conversation that uncovers valuable insights and fosters genuine connections.

1. Open-ended questions

   • Encourage detailed responses and elaboration from the interviewee.
   • Foster a conversational atmosphere, allowing for deeper insights.
   • Useful for exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

2. Closed-ended questions

   • Require a specific, often one-word answer (e.g., yes or no).
   • Help to gather quantitative data or confirm facts quickly.
   • Limit the depth of responses but can be useful for clarity.

3. Probing questions

   • Aim to delve deeper into a topic or clarify vague responses.
   • Encourage interviewees to expand on their answers.
   • Essential for uncovering underlying motivations or feelings.

4. Follow-up questions

   • Used to build on previous answers and maintain the flow of conversation.
   • Help to clarify or explore new angles based on earlier responses.
   • Reinforce the interviewer's interest in the interviewee's perspective.

5. Leading questions

   • Suggest a particular answer or direction in the response.
   • Can bias the interviewee's answer, potentially skewing results.
   • Useful for confirming assumptions but should be used cautiously.

6. Hypothetical questions

   • Pose scenarios to gauge how the interviewee might react or think.
   • Encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.
   • Useful for assessing decision-making skills and values.

7. Reflective questions

   • Encourage interviewees to think back on their experiences and feelings.
   • Help to clarify and deepen understanding of past events.
   • Foster self-awareness and insight into personal growth.

8. Behavioral questions

   • Focus on past behavior as an indicator of future performance.
   • Often structured around the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
   • Useful for assessing skills, competencies, and cultural fit.

9. Funnel questions

   • Start with broad questions and gradually narrow down to specifics.
   • Help to guide the conversation while allowing for exploration.
   • Effective for uncovering detailed information in a structured way.

10. Clarifying questions

    • Seek to ensure understanding of the interviewee's responses.
    • Help to eliminate ambiguity and confirm details.
    • Essential for accurate interpretation of the interviewee's message.