Interview questions can seem pretty simple and straight forward but to pull out real information, real passion and have something beyond the standard interview you need to plan out your questions. Brainstorm for questions you want to ask, let one idea lead to another and then another. When you are satisfied that you can’t think of any more questions begin to plot your interview. Put the questions in order by topic. Also, think about how asking each question leads the person you are interviewing into putting more thought into their answers. Start them out with simple and easy stuff so you can work your way up to the questions you want them to take more time answering.
I collect interview questions when I see some I like. Here are a few, fairly generic, questions you could give to warm up the interview.
- What is your guiltiest pleasure?
- What is the most interesting book you have read?
- What is on your bedside table?
- Who or what do you live for?
- Who are some of your mentors?
- What are some of your challenges?
- Who do you admire in your career/ field?
- How do you make time for your personal life/ balance work and career?
- What do you really like to do when you get a whole day to yourself?
- Which words do you most overuse?
- Which gadget could you never give up?
- What is your favourite comfort food?
- Who do you consider a misunderstood historical figure?
- Who, or what, makes you laugh the hardest?
- What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?