41 Example Questions to Ask a Candidate in a Job Interview

Small business owners have to wear many different hats. From managing finances, to marketing and customer service, they juggle multiple responsibilities to keep their businesses thriving. 

But perhaps one of the most important tasks that is often overlooked, is hiring the right people. After all, employees are the backbone of any successful business. When it comes to hiring, asking the right questions can make all the difference. 

But with so many things to consider, it can be challenging to know which questions to ask. In this blog post, we will give you some of the most common questions a small business owner should ask someone when interviewing them for a job. 

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this post will provide you with the insights you need to hire the right person for your business. 

Questions to ask in a job interview

Here are example questions which will give you a head start on what to ask a prospective new employee for your small business.

1. Can you tell us about yourself?
2. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
3. Why do you want to work for our company?
4. What motivates you to do your best work?
5. How do you handle difficult or challenging situations?
6. What are your salary expectations?
7. What experience do you have in this field/industry?
8. Can you give an example of a project you’ve completed and how you approached it?
9. What are your long-term career goals?
10. How do you prioritize and manage your workload?
11. Can you tell us about a time when you had to solve a problem creatively?
12. What would you say are your key skills for this role?
13. How do you handle feedback and criticism?
14. What do you know about our company and our products/services?
15. How do you ensure attention to detail in your work?
16. Can you tell us about a time when you went above and beyond in your role?
17. What is your preferred working style or environment?
18. Can you describe your leadership style?
19. How do you keep up with industry developments and trends?
20. Can you tell us about when you had to work with someone difficult and how you handled it?
21. How do you handle stress and pressure in the workplace?
22. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a new situation quickly?
23. What sets you apart from other candidates for this position?
24. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with coworkers or supervisors?
25. What do you think are the most important qualities for success in this position?
26. Can you describe a situation where you had to work with a team to achieve a common goal?
27. How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
28. Can you give an example of a time when you demonstrated excellent communication skills?
29. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your career so far?
30. How do you handle ambiguity or uncertainty in your work?
31. Can you tell us about a time when you had to learn a new skill or technology quickly?
32. How do you prioritize customer needs and satisfaction?
33. Can you describe a time when you had to take a calculated risk to achieve a desired outcome?
34. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful team or company culture?
35. How do you continue to develop and improve your skills and knowledge in your field?
36. Can you tell me about a time when you had to work collaboratively to solve a problem?
37. How do you stay up to date with new developments and technologies in your field?
38. Can you describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult customer or client and how you handled it?
39. How do you approach learning new skills or knowledge?
40. Can you give an example of a successful project you’ve managed and how you ensured its success?
41. Do you have any questions for us?