10 strategic interview questions to help you find the right candidate

Key takeaways

• Strategic questions help uncover a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, mindset, and cultural alignment—factors that resumes often fail to convey.
• Intentional, thought-provoking questions are key to identifying the unique attributes and potential of top candidates.
• Focusing on the "how" and "why" behind a candidate's experiences enables a more informed and impactful hiring process.

Why strategic interview questions matter

Traditional interviews often rely on straightforward or general questions like, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. While these questions are common, they rarely provide the depth of insight needed to fully understand a candidate’s critical thinking, adaptability, or their potential to contribute meaningfully to your team. Basic questions often lead to rehearsed answers, making it harder to gauge a candidate’s true abilities and fit for the role.

Using strategic interview questions, however, can transform the hiring process by delving deeper into a candidate’s qualifications and personality. These types of questions:

• Identify high-potential candidates who bring more than just technical expertise, uncovering leadership qualities, problem-solving skills, and long-term potential.
• Encourage thoughtful and honest responses, moving away from surface-level answers to reveal how a candidate approaches challenges and decision-making.
• Uncover soft skills and values such as emotional intelligence, resilience, teamwork, and alignment with your company’s culture. These qualities are often critical for team cohesion and long-term success.
• Reduce hiring mistakes by providing a well-rounded view of the candidate, saving your organization both time and money that would otherwise be spent on rehiring or onboarding the wrong fit.

By investing in these targeted and thoughtful questions, hiring managers and teams can more accurately evaluate the attributes and traits that are essential to an individual’s and the organization’s long-term success. In the end, this approach not only improves hiring decisions but also strengthens the overall team dynamic and productivity.

10 strategic interview questions to evaluate candidates

Here are ten of the best interview questions to ask during your hiring process. Each one is designed to evaluate the candidate’s problem-solving skills, mindset, and how well they align with both the role and organization’s values.

1. Can you walk me through a decision you made that had a lasting impact?

This question tests a candidate's decision-making process and big-picture thinking. Look for specific examples and their ability to explain the factors influencing their decision, the result, and any learnings gained.

What it reveals:

• Judgment
• Ownership
• Strategic impact

2. What’s something you’ve taught yourself recently and why?

Learning is a key indicator of growth mindset. Candidates who take the initiative to upskill demonstrate adaptability and curiosity.

What it reveals:

• Initiative
• Ability to learn independently
• Alignment with professional development

3. Tell me about a time you had to give difficult feedback.

Few things test interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence like delivering constructive criticism. Assess not only what they said but also how they handled the emotions involved.

What it reveals:

• Communication skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Ability to handle sensitive situations

4. How do you prioritize when everything feels urgent?

Tight deadlines and competing priorities are common in professional settings. This question gauges a candidate's time management and ability to prioritize tasks systematically.

What it reveals:

• Problem-solving abilities
• Focus and discipline
• Strategic thinking

5. What’s one thing you’d improve about your current or last team?

Answers can reveal a lot about a candidate’s values, awareness of team dynamics, and whether they have the perspective to suggest improvements constructively.

What it reveals:

• Awareness of team dynamics
• Leadership potential
• Culture fit

6. Describe a project where the outcome didn’t go as planned. What did you learn?

Failures and setbacks are inevitable. This question helps identify candidates who are reflective, resilient, and capable of turning challenges into learning opportunities.

What it reveals:

• Resilience
• Self-awareness
• Growth mindset

7. How do you stay aligned with team or company goals in your daily work?

Maintaining alignment with broader objectives ensures long-term success. Look for candidates who are proactive, accountable, and able to contribute to both individual and collective goals.

What it reveals:

• Accountability
• Strategic alignment
• Contribution to company vision

8. What does success look like to you in this role 90 days in?

This forward-thinking question uncovers a candidate’s understanding of the role and preparedness to make an impact quickly. It also provides insight into their motivation and goal-setting ability.

What it reveals:

• Preparedness
• Goal orientation
• Motivation to excel

9. If you had to build a team from scratch, what qualities would you look for?

For leadership roles, this question highlights how a candidate assesses others and manages team dynamics. It’s also useful for non-leadership roles to understand what qualities they value in a team member.

What it reveals:

• Leadership thinking
• Ability to evaluate key attributes
• Awareness of team needs

10. What kind of work environment helps you thrive and what doesn’t?

This question not only tests culture fit but also provides insights into how well a candidate’s work style aligns with your company culture. Knowing what frustrates them offers nuggets that help set them up for success.

What it reveals:

• Culture fit
• Communication preferences
• Self-awareness

Make space for follow up questions

Strategic questions are only the beginning. To truly understand a candidate, it’s essential to dig deeper with follow-up questions that inspire storytelling and encourage specific details. These follow-ups can help you uncover not only what they did, but how and why they did it. For example:

• Ask “Why?” to understand the reasoning behind the candidate’s decisions. This can reveal their motivations, values, and priorities in different situations.
• Use “Tell me more” to gain deeper insight into their thought process. This encourages them to elaborate, providing a clearer picture of their approach and mindset.
• Follow up with “How?” to evaluate their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Their response can shed light on how they handle real challenges and navigate complex situations.

During the interview process, don’t just focus on skills and experience—look for key traits like self-awareness, humility, and consistency in their answers. Self-awareness shows they can reflect on their own actions and grow from past experiences. Humility demonstrates a team-player mindset and openness to learning. Consistency across answers gives you confidence in their authenticity and reliability. These qualities often distinguish truly exceptional candidates from the rest, making them valuable additions to any team.

Unlock the right talent with strategic questions

All organizations aim to hire for technical expertise, but finding the right candidates requires assessing mindset, adaptability, and alignment with your organization's values. Strategic interview questions to ask candidates can help hiring managers and teams gain deeper insight into a candidate's problem-solving skills, growth potential, and cultural fit.

Remember, a well-thought-out interview combines basic interview questions with strategic, situational, and behavioral ones. Pairing these questions with tools like MinutesLink can transform your hiring process. Capture key takeaways and organize meeting notes effectively, empowering your hiring team with valuable insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions should you ask in an interview?

The number of questions to ask in an interview depends on its length and purpose. Generally, aim for 8-12 well-thought-out questions for a standard 30-60 minute interview. Focus on covering key areas like skills, experience, cultural fit, and role expectations while leaving time for the candidate to ask their own questions.

What are some best interview questions to ask candidates?

The best interview questions to ask candidates are those that help you understand their skills, experience, and cultural fit for your organization. You might want to ask open-ended questions that encourage them to share specific examples of their past work and problem-solving abilities. Questions like "Can you describe a challenging project you worked on and how you handled it?" or "What motivates you in a workplace?" can provide insights into their approach to work and their personality. It's also helpful to ask questions tailored to the role, focusing on how they would handle key responsibilities or challenges specific to the position.

What are some strategic questions to ask senior leaders in an interview?

When interviewing senior leaders, it's important to ask questions that provide insight into their leadership style, decision-making process, and vision for the organization. You might ask about the biggest challenges they've faced in their leadership journey and how they addressed them, or their approach to aligning teams with company goals. Questions about how they measure success, encourage innovation, and handle setbacks can also reveal a lot about their strategic thinking and adaptability. Additionally, ask about their priorities for the team or organization over the next few years to understand their long-term vision.

How to answer strategic questions in an interview?

To answer strategic questions in an interview, start by carefully understanding the question and its context. Provide a clear and structured response, highlighting your ability to think critically and solve problems. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've approached similar challenges strategically. Focus on showcasing your analytical skills, decision-making process, and the positive outcomes of your actions. Always tie your answer back to how it aligns with the company's goals or vision to show your value as a candidate.

How to answer strategic thinking interview questions?

To answer strategic thinking interview questions, focus on demonstrating your ability to analyze complex situations, plan ahead, and consider long-term outcomes. Use specific examples from your experience where you identified a challenge, developed a clear strategy, and successfully executed it. Highlight how your approach created value or solved a problem, and emphasize your ability to adapt and think critically in dynamic situations.