Best Strategic Interview Questions To Ask A Candidate

Hiring the right candidate for a job is crucial for the success of any organization, and conducting a strategic interview can help you identify the best candidate for the position. Strategic interview questions go beyond the typical questions about a candidate's qualifications and work experience, and instead focus on their problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and critical thinking skills.

Why are strategic interview questions important?

Strategic interview questions are important because they can provide valuable insight into a candidate's problem-solving skills, adaptability, and critical thinking abilities. These questions can help you gauge how well a candidate will be able to handle the challenges and opportunities of the job, and how well they will fit into the company culture. By asking strategic interview questions, you can get a more well-rounded view of the candidate and make a more informed hiring decision.

Best strategic interview questions

The best strategic interview questions are open-ended and situational, allowing the candidate to share detailed examples and insights about their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and critical thinking abilities. These questions focus on the candidate's behavior, rather than hypothetical situations, allowing the interviewer to assess how the candidate would actually perform in the job.

1. Can you describe a time when you had to solve a difficult problem at work? How did you approach it?

This question is useful for assessing the candidate's problem-solving skills and their ability to handle complex situations. It also allows the interviewer to gain insight into the candidate's critical thinking process and their approach to decision-making.

2. How do you stay up-to-date with new technologies and industry trends?

This question is relevant for roles that require the candidate to have a deep understanding of the industry and stay up-to-date with new technologies and trends. It allows the interviewer to assess the candidate's level of curiosity, willingness to learn, and ability to adapt to new information.

3. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a new work environment or project? How did you handle it?

This question is useful for assessing the candidate's adaptability and flexibility. It also allows the interviewer to gain insight into how the candidate handles change and challenges, and their ability to work well in new and unfamiliar situations.

4. How do you prioritize competing demands on your time and resources?

This question is relevant for roles that require the candidate to manage multiple projects or tasks at the same time. It allows the interviewer to assess the candidate's organizational skills, ability to prioritize, and time management abilities.

5. Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision? What factors did you consider?

This question is useful for assessing the candidate's decision-making abilities and their ability to handle high-pressure situations. It also allows the interviewer to gain insight into the candidate's values and ethics, and their approach to ethical decision-making.

6. How do you handle constructive feedback and criticism?

This question is relevant for roles that require the candidate to work well with others and take feedback from others. It allows the interviewer to assess the candidate's communication and interpersonal skills, as well as their ability to handle feedback and use it constructively to improve their work.

7. Can you describe a time when you had to work with a difficult colleague or stakeholder? How did you handle the situation?

This question is useful for assessing the candidate's teamwork and collaboration skills. It also allows the interviewer to gain insight into how the candidate handles conflict and difficult situations, and their ability to maintain professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.

8. How do you measure the success of your work? What metrics do you use?

This question is relevant for roles that require the candidate to set and achieve goals. It allows the interviewer to assess the candidate's ability to measure and track their progress, as well as their ability to align their work with the goals of the organization.

9. Can you describe a time when you had to lead a team or project? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

This question is useful for assessing the candidate's leadership and project management skills. It also allows the interviewer to gain insight into the candidate's communication and decision-making abilities, as well as their ability to motivate and inspire others.

10. How do you approach learning and development in your professional life?

This question is relevant for roles that require the candidate to continuously learn and grow in their role. It allows the interviewer to assess the candidate's commitment to self-improvement and their approach to learning, as well as their ability to take initiative and seek out opportunities for growth.

Final thoughts

Strategic interview questions are essential for gaining a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's skills, experience, and potential. By asking open-ended and situational questions, interviewers can assess a candidate's problem-solving skills, adaptability, critical thinking abilities, and other important qualities.

Strategic interview questions should be tailored to the specific requirements and responsibilities of the job, allowing the interviewer to gauge how well the candidate would fit into the company culture and work environment.