Questions to Ask Politicians in an Interview
Strategic questions to ask politicians during interviews that demonstrate your understanding of policy, reveal their positions, and help you evaluate their leadership and vision.
1What do you consider the most pressing issue facing our community/country right now, and how would you address it?
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What do you consider the most pressing issue facing our community/country right now, and how would you address it?
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Why this works
Reveals their priorities and problem-solving approach while showing how they identify and plan to tackle the most important challenges.
2What specific policies or initiatives would you implement in your first 100 days in office?
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What specific policies or initiatives would you implement in your first 100 days in office?
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Why this works
Shows their concrete plans while revealing what they consider most important to accomplish and how they prioritize their agenda.
3How do you plan to work with people who have different political views to find common ground and make progress?
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How do you plan to work with people who have different political views to find common ground and make progress?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to bipartisanship while showing how they plan to build consensus and work across party lines.
4What experience do you have that makes you qualified for this position, and how does it prepare you for the challenges ahead?
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What experience do you have that makes you qualified for this position, and how does it prepare you for the challenges ahead?
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Why this works
Shows their qualifications while revealing how their background prepares them for the specific challenges of the role.
5How do you plan to ensure transparency and accountability in government, and what measures would you implement?
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How do you plan to ensure transparency and accountability in government, and what measures would you implement?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to good governance while showing how they plan to maintain transparency and hold themselves accountable.
6What is your approach to handling criticism and opposition, and how do you plan to maintain public trust?
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What is your approach to handling criticism and opposition, and how do you plan to maintain public trust?
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Why this works
Shows their leadership style while revealing how they handle challenges and maintain credibility with the public.
7How do you plan to address the concerns of constituents who may not have voted for you?
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How do you plan to address the concerns of constituents who may not have voted for you?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to representing all constituents while showing how they plan to serve everyone, not just their supporters.
8What role do you think government should play in addressing social and economic inequality?
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What role do you think government should play in addressing social and economic inequality?
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Why this works
Shows their philosophy on government's role while revealing their approach to addressing systemic issues and inequality.
9How do you plan to balance the needs of different interest groups and stakeholders in your decision-making?
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How do you plan to balance the needs of different interest groups and stakeholders in your decision-making?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to complex decision-making while showing how they plan to balance competing interests and priorities.
10What is your vision for the future of our community/country, and how do you plan to achieve it?
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What is your vision for the future of our community/country, and how do you plan to achieve it?
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Why this works
Shows their long-term thinking while revealing their vision for the future and how they plan to make it a reality.
11How do you plan to ensure that your policies are evidence-based and effective, and what process would you use to evaluate them?
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How do you plan to ensure that your policies are evidence-based and effective, and what process would you use to evaluate them?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to policy-making while showing how they plan to ensure their policies are based on evidence and achieve results.
12What do you think is the biggest mistake you've made in your career, and what did you learn from it?
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What do you think is the biggest mistake you've made in your career, and what did you learn from it?
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Why this works
Shows their self-reflection and learning while revealing how they handle mistakes and what they've learned from their experiences.
13How do you plan to address the concerns of young people and future generations in your policy decisions?
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How do you plan to address the concerns of young people and future generations in your policy decisions?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to intergenerational justice while showing how they plan to consider the long-term impact of their decisions.
14What is your approach to handling crises and emergencies, and how do you plan to prepare for them?
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What is your approach to handling crises and emergencies, and how do you plan to prepare for them?
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Why this works
Shows their crisis management skills while revealing how they plan to handle unexpected challenges and emergencies.
15How do you plan to ensure that your administration is diverse and representative of the community you serve?
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How do you plan to ensure that your administration is diverse and representative of the community you serve?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to diversity while showing how they plan to ensure their administration reflects the community they serve.
16What role do you think technology should play in government, and how do you plan to modernize government services?
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What role do you think technology should play in government, and how do you plan to modernize government services?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of technology's role while revealing how they plan to use technology to improve government efficiency and services.
17How do you plan to address the concerns of small businesses and entrepreneurs in your policy decisions?
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How do you plan to address the concerns of small businesses and entrepreneurs in your policy decisions?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to economic development while showing how they plan to support small businesses and entrepreneurship.
18What is your approach to environmental issues, and how do you plan to balance environmental protection with economic growth?
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What is your approach to environmental issues, and how do you plan to balance environmental protection with economic growth?
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Why this works
Shows their environmental philosophy while revealing how they plan to balance environmental protection with economic considerations.
19How do you plan to ensure that your policies are fair and equitable for all members of the community?
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How do you plan to ensure that your policies are fair and equitable for all members of the community?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to equity while showing how they plan to ensure their policies benefit everyone, not just certain groups.
20What do you think is the most important quality for a leader to have, and how do you demonstrate that quality?
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What do you think is the most important quality for a leader to have, and how do you demonstrate that quality?
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Why this works
Shows their leadership philosophy while revealing what they consider most important in leadership and how they embody those qualities.
Mastering Political Interview Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Ask About Specific Policies
Focus on concrete policies and initiatives rather than vague promises. Ask for specific details about how they plan to implement their ideas.
Understand Their Leadership Style
Ask about their approach to decision-making, crisis management, and working with others to understand their leadership style.
Assess Their Qualifications
Ask about their experience, qualifications, and how their background prepares them for the specific challenges of the role.
Question Sequences
The Policy Focus
The Leadership Focus
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Leading Questions
Avoid questions that suggest the answer you want. Ask open-ended questions that allow them to provide their own perspective.
Don't Focus Only on Controversial Issues
Ask about a range of issues, not just controversial ones. Show interest in their overall approach to governance and leadership.
Don't Ignore Their Track Record
Ask about their past experience and how it relates to the current role. Look for evidence of their ability to deliver on promises.