Top 10 Strategic Interview Questions to Ask Candidates

According to a recent survey, 87% of individuals believe a positive interview experience can change their initial doubts about a company. As a hiring manager, one of your key responsibilities is identifying and hiring the most qualified candidates for your organization. To ensure this, it is crucial to ask strategic questions that assess a candidate’s experience, skills, and ability to solve problems. 

In this blog, we will explore several strategic interview questions to ask candidates that can assist you in finding the perfect fit for your organization.

What are Strategic Interview Questions?

Strategic interview questions assess a candidate’s technical expertise, critical thinking skills, and ability to solve problems. Along with evaluating a candidate’s logical reasoning abilities and proficiency in making sound decisions, these questions measure their interpersonal abilities. 

Here are some reasons why asking strategic interview questions is important for you.

• They enable you to gain insights into your potential candidates’ skills.
• They assess if a candidate’s skills and experience align with your company’s requirements and expectations.
• They help you understand how a candidate will approach difficult situations in the future.
• They assist you in recognizing a candidate’s principles, professional standards, and thought processes when making choices.
• They evaluate a candidate’s communication skills and their proficiency in conveying ideas. 

Also, check out this guide on how to hire employees that covers crucial tips and steps to guarantee a seamless recruitment process.

Top 10 Strategic Interview Questions and Answers

Below are strategic interview questions and sample answers to evaluate candidates’ skills for a job role.

Q1. What are your salary expectations based on what you know about the role?

Importance of this Question: This question helps in determining whether the candidate’s salary expectations align with what your company is willing to offer for the role. By asking this question, you can assess whether you are in a position to hire the candidate and negotiate accordingly. 

Sample Answer: 

My salary expectation is flexible and open for negotiation, based on the standards and the responsibilities associated with the role. I am confident that we can find a common ground that works for both of us.

Q2. Can you tell me about the team you currently work with?

Importance of this Question: This question will help you assess if the candidate’s current responsibilities are aligned with the requirements of the job you are hiring for. By understanding the candidate’s past achievements and day-to-day duties, you can determine if the candidate possesses the necessary skills and experience to be successful in the new role. 

Sample Answer: 

At my current job, each team member brings their own set of skills and perspectives. This enables us to work together towards a common goal while promoting creativity and cultivating a harmonious workplace atmosphere. This has helped me understand the importance of teamwork and cooperation. 

Q3. Walk me through your professional experience briefly.

Importance of this Question: This is one of the best strategic interview questions. It evaluates the candidate’s level of expertise in their field, as well as how extensively they have researched both the company and job role at hand. Additionally, it measures their ability to articulate and concisely express their achievements.

Sample Answer: 

I have over 5 years of experience in marketing and advertising, with a focus on digital campaigns and brand management. I have worked with various clients across industries, helping them achieve their business goals through targeted strategies, such as creating campaigns and conducting market research. I have also created engaging content and analyzed data to measure success of campaigns while staying updated with company trends to help achieve the goal of my clients.

Q4. Narrate a challenging work scenario you encountered and share how you effectively handled it.

Importance of this Question: Finding a candidate who can handle challenging situations and deadlines is crucial. When interviewing for a position that requires the ability to thrive in high-stress situations, it is important to pay attention to this response of candidates.

Sample Answer:

In my previous role, I encountered tight project timelines and scarce resources. To overcome this obstacle, I formed a cross-functional team and assigned tasks according to each member’s expertise. Additionally, I established an efficient workflow that enabled us to complete the project within the given timeframe.

If you have a team of recruiters in place, you can consider upskilling them with an online human resource course to learn about effective manpower planning, recruiting, and selection of qualified candidates.

Q5. If you were teamed up with a colleague for a project and faced continuous disagreements, how would you approach the situation?

Importance of this Question: This question offers you the opportunity to observe your candidate’s ability to handle conflicts within a professional setting. The response will demonstrate an applicant’s communication and problem-solving skills, as well as their adaptability and willingness to work toward conflict resolution.

Sample Answer: 

In a situation of continuous disagreements with a colleague during a project, I would initiate an open and honest conversation to understand their perspective, find common ground, and work collaboratively to find solutions. This is because I understand that effective communication and finding a middle ground are essential to ensure the success of any project and maintain a positive working relationship.

Q6. What are your long-term career aspirations?

Importance of this Question: While candidates may express aspirations of becoming a manager or CEO in the future, it is also important for them to outline specific measures they intend to take to gradually assume more responsibilities within the organization. Ultimately, you want an individual who understands that climbing up the corporate ladder requires perseverance and diligence.

Sample Answer: 

My long-term career aspirations involve continually expanding my expertise in project development, taking on leadership roles, and contributing to meaningful projects that make a positive impact. I am committed to ongoing learning, professional development, and making valuable contributions to the success of the organizations I work with.

Q7. If you were close to completing a project you invested significant effort in and the goals or priorities shifted abruptly, how would you respond?

Importance of this Question: This question helps you determine how candidates handle unexpected changes in plans and their ability to effectively adjust their approach to meet new objectives. It is important to find a candidate who can fulfill the company’s expectations and also be resourceful in their approach.

Sample Answer: 

In the event of sudden changes in goals or priorities towards the end of a project, my approach would involve evaluating and adjusting my plans accordingly. I would also proactively communicate with stakeholders to facilitate a seamless transition while maintaining high-quality work. The ability to be flexible and adapt quickly is one of my major traits in life.

Q8. How do you approach and manage criticism from a superior?

Importance of this Question: This is one of the most important strategic interview questions to ask candidates. It provides insights into a candidate’s ability to handle feedback and their overall attitude towards higher authority. It also helps you determine their level of maturity, professionalism, and adaptability in the workplace. 

Sample Answer: 

I approach criticism from a superior as an opportunity for growth and learning. I actively listen, seek to understand their feedback, and use it constructively to enhance my skills and performance. Over the years, this has helped me identify areas for improvement, learn from my mistakes, and refine my professional skills. 

Q9. What are your unique skills?

Importance of this Question: This will enable you to evaluate the candidate’s level of confidence in their skills and ascertain if their strengths align with the responsibilities of the potential role. Consider this response as a chance for the candidate to demonstrate why they are the ideal fit for the position.

Sample Answer:

My unique skills include a combination of creative problem-solving, effective communication, and a keen attention to detail. These qualities, in addition to my adaptability, enable me to function creatively and cooperatively in different professional settings.

Q10. How would you handle a situation where you discover a coworker consistently breaching company policies?

Importance of this Question: This question helps you assess the candidate’s ability to handle work dilemmas and demonstrate professionalism. The way a candidate handles the situation can reflect their commitment to upholding company policies. This question presents you with a chance to evaluate the candidate’s moral code, decision-making skills, and capability to handle delicate situations.

Sample Answer: 

If I discover a coworker consistently breaching company policies, I would approach them discreetly to discuss the matter and try to understand the reasons behind their actions while emphasizing the importance of compliance. If necessary, I would bring the issue to higher management while maintaining confidentiality and maintaining a resolution that aligns with the company’s values.

Conclusion

With this guide on strategic interview questions to ask candidates, you can identify an ideal candidate that fits your company’s needs and goals. These types of questions help assess a candidate’s critical thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and general approach to decision-making. By incorporating strategic interview questions into the hiring process, you can ensure making informed decisions when selecting top talent for your team. 

Did you find this blog helpful? Let us know in the comments below. Also, consider checking out this guide on the 15 best questions to ask an interviewee to enhance your hiring process.