Screening Interview Questions to Ask
Strategic questions that help you evaluate candidates effectively during screening interviews, assess their qualifications, and determine if they're a good fit for the next stage of the hiring process.
1What interests you most about this role and what drew you to apply for this position?
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What interests you most about this role and what drew you to apply for this position?
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Why this works
Reveals their motivation and interest in the role while showing whether they've researched the position and understand what it involves.
2What's your understanding of our company and what do you know about our mission and values?
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What's your understanding of our company and what do you know about our mission and values?
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Why this works
Shows their research and preparation while revealing whether they understand the company culture and whether they're aligned with the organization's values.
3What's your relevant experience for this role and how does it prepare you for this position?
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What's your relevant experience for this role and how does it prepare you for this position?
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Why this works
Reveals their qualifications and helps you understand how their background relates to the role requirements and responsibilities.
4What's your approach to different types of challenges and how do you typically handle difficult situations?
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What's your approach to different types of challenges and how do you typically handle difficult situations?
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Why this works
Shows their problem-solving skills and often leads to discussions about their resilience, adaptability, and how they approach challenges.
5What's your ideal work environment and what type of team culture do you thrive in?
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What's your ideal work environment and what type of team culture do you thrive in?
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Why this works
Reveals their work preferences and helps you understand whether they'll fit well with your team culture and work environment.
6What's your approach to different types of learning and how do you stay current with industry trends?
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What's your approach to different types of learning and how do you stay current with industry trends?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to professional development and often leads to discussions about their learning style and approach to staying current.
7What's your approach to different types of communication and how do you work with different personality types?
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What's your approach to different types of communication and how do you work with different personality types?
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Why this works
Reveals their interpersonal skills and often leads to discussions about their communication style and ability to work with diverse teams.
8What's your approach to different types of goals and how do you prioritize your work?
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What's your approach to different types of goals and how do you prioritize your work?
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Why this works
Shows their goal-setting and prioritization skills while revealing how they approach work organization and time management.
9What's your approach to different types of feedback and how do you use it for improvement?
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What's your approach to different types of feedback and how do you use it for improvement?
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Why this works
Reveals their openness to feedback and often leads to discussions about their growth mindset and approach to continuous improvement.
10What's your approach to different types of teamwork and how do you contribute to team success?
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What's your approach to different types of teamwork and how do you contribute to team success?
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Why this works
Shows their collaboration skills and often leads to discussions about their team contribution and approach to working with others.
11What's your approach to different types of deadlines and how do you manage your time effectively?
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What's your approach to different types of deadlines and how do you manage your time effectively?
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Why this works
Reveals their time management skills and often leads to discussions about their work habits and ability to meet deadlines.
12What's your approach to different types of problems and how do you develop solutions?
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What's your approach to different types of problems and how do you develop solutions?
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Why this works
Shows their analytical thinking and often leads to discussions about their problem-solving methodology and approach to finding solutions.
13What's your approach to different types of leadership and how do you work with managers?
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What's your approach to different types of leadership and how do you work with managers?
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Why this works
Reveals their leadership preferences and often leads to discussions about their management style and approach to working with supervisors.
14What's your approach to different types of change and how do you adapt to new situations?
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What's your approach to different types of change and how do you adapt to new situations?
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Why this works
Shows their adaptability and often leads to discussions about their flexibility and approach to handling change and uncertainty.
15What's your approach to different types of stress and how do you maintain your performance under pressure?
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What's your approach to different types of stress and how do you maintain your performance under pressure?
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Why this works
Reveals their stress management skills and often leads to discussions about their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
16What's your approach to different types of innovation and how do you contribute to creative solutions?
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What's your approach to different types of innovation and how do you contribute to creative solutions?
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Why this works
Shows their creativity and often leads to discussions about their innovative thinking and approach to developing new ideas.
17What's your approach to different types of customer service and how do you handle client interactions?
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What's your approach to different types of customer service and how do you handle client interactions?
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Why this works
Reveals their customer focus and often leads to discussions about their approach to client relationships and service delivery.
18What's your approach to different types of quality and how do you ensure high standards?
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What's your approach to different types of quality and how do you ensure high standards?
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Why this works
Shows their quality focus and often leads to discussions about their attention to detail and approach to maintaining high standards.
19What's your approach to different types of professional development and how do you continue growing?
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What's your approach to different types of professional development and how do you continue growing?
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Why this works
Reveals their growth mindset and often leads to discussions about their commitment to learning and professional development.
20What questions do you have about this role and what would you like to know more about?
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What questions do you have about this role and what would you like to know more about?
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Why this works
Shows their engagement and often leads to discussions about their specific interests and concerns about the role and company.
Best Practices for Screening Interview Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Both Qualifications and Cultural Fit
Screening interviews should assess both technical qualifications and cultural fit. Balance questions about skills and experience with questions about work style and values.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Use open-ended questions that allow candidates to provide detailed responses. This gives you better insight into their thinking and communication skills.
Listen for Specific Examples
Look for specific examples and concrete details in their responses. This helps you understand their actual experience and capabilities rather than just general statements.
Question Sequences
The Motivation and Interest Sequence
The Skills and Approach Flow
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Technical Skills
While technical skills are important, don't ignore soft skills, cultural fit, and work style. These are often just as important for long-term success.
Avoid Overly Complex Questions
Keep questions appropriate for a screening interview. Save complex technical questions for later stages when you have more time to dive deep.
Don't Make Assumptions
Don't assume you know their answers based on their resume or background. Ask questions and listen to their actual responses and experiences.