FP Weekly Checklist: The Best “Green Flag” Questions to Ask Applicants During Job Interviews

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My first and most important question: can you tell me how to pronounce your name? (shows that you care about them as an individual and aren’t presuming something about them and their identity)

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[for virtual interviews] Before we begin, are there any pets or family members who might pop up in the background that you’d like to introduce? (sets them at ease and humanizes the situation)

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Do you need anything from us to make this a positive interview experience? (not only are you showing you take their feelings into account, this could also help identify accommodations that could be necessary to the process) 

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What’s a personal achievement you’re proud of? (demonstrates that you care about their life outside of the workplace)

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What is your experience with [insert specific skillset]? And by the way, it’s not a problem if you have limited experience, we can train you up. We just want to get a sense for where you are. (allows candidate to feel comfortable with the process and not to stress out if they don’t have those skills)

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You’ve obviously done your homework on us before you applied for this job. What do you think we could do better as an organization? (lets them know you are open to criticism and are always striving to better your operations, regardless of where the feedback comes from)

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Are there other people in the organization you’d like to talk to before you make a decision? (provides an authentic opportunity for them to gather information from multiple sources, letting them know you aren’t afraid about them uncovering dirt on your company)

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I think you’d be a wonderful addition to our team and a great asset for our organization. What more do you need to hear from us in order to make your decision? (shows that you recognize they have choices and that you have a sincere passion for them to choose your company)

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Before you leave, can we give you a tour of our operations? (lets the location speak for itself, provides a sense for the true environment they’d be working in)

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We have a fast-paced environment, how does that sound to you? (conveys a stressful workplace that could quickly burn out employees)

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Do you consider yourself to be a self-starter? (gives off the vibe that applicant will not receive adequate training and support)

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How do you feel about working in a family-like environment? (can hint at a dysfunctional organization, perhaps rife with conflicts and quarrels)

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Are you willing to wear many hats? (could give off the impression that your company is disorganized and there aren’t clear boundaries for the role)

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At our company, we work hard but we play hard. How does that sound to you? (major red flag that could convey your company expects workers to push themselves to the limits, and some managers may not respect workers’ well-being)