My 3 Favorite Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Key Concepts

• Success Definition: Establishing a clear, measurable definition of success for a role or project.
• Obstacle Identification: Identifying the specific challenges hindering the achievement of defined success.
• Value Quantification: Determining the perceived worth or benefit of achieving success.
• Evaluative Interviewing: Utilizing questions not just to answer, but to evaluate the potential employer and role.

The Three Core Questions for Interview Evaluation

The speaker identifies three crucial questions to ask during a job interview, framing them not as information-gathering exercises, but as tools for evaluating the potential employer and the role itself. These questions – “What does success look like?”, “What problems are standing in our way of achieving that success?”, and “What value would you attach to that success once we, I, us, however the team achieve it?” – represent a “101 level” approach, with potential for deeper exploration beyond the basic phrasing. The speaker emphasizes that asking these questions is often more valuable than the answers received, as it demonstrates initiative and critical thinking.

Defining Success: Gauging Reasonableness

The primary purpose of asking “What does success look like?” is to gain a detailed understanding of the expectations associated with the role. This isn’t simply about understanding the tasks involved, but about establishing quantifiable metrics. The speaker stresses the importance of using this information to assess the reasonableness of the expectations.

A specific example is provided: a new salesperson being asked to generate $1 million in consulting revenue in their first year, when no one in the company’s history has achieved that benchmark. This scenario highlights the need to determine if the expectations are realistic or “loony” before committing to the position. The question serves as a filter to identify potentially unrealistic or poorly defined goals.

Identifying Obstacles: Uncovering Challenges

The second question, “What problems are standing in our way of achieving that success?” builds upon the definition of success by probing for potential roadblocks. While not explicitly detailed in this excerpt, the implication is that understanding these obstacles allows the candidate to assess the challenges they will face and determine if they possess the skills and resources to overcome them.

Value Quantification: Assessing Importance

The final question, “What value would you attach to that success once we, I, us, however the team achieve it?” aims to understand the significance of the role and its contribution to the organization. This isn’t about monetary compensation (though that may be a component), but about the broader impact of achieving the defined success. The speaker doesn’t elaborate on the specifics of this question in the provided transcript.

Interview Dynamics & Self-Selling

The speaker explicitly states that asking these questions is a form of “selling yourself” during the interview process. By demonstrating a proactive and analytical approach, the candidate positions themselves as a thoughtful and engaged potential employee. The act of asking these questions signals an interest in understanding the bigger picture and contributing meaningfully to the organization’s goals.

Synthesis

The core takeaway is that job interviews are a two-way street. While candidates are being evaluated, they should also be actively evaluating the potential employer and the role. These three questions – focused on defining success, identifying obstacles, and quantifying value – provide a framework for conducting this evaluation and ensuring a good fit. The emphasis is on proactive questioning as a means of demonstrating initiative and critical thinking, ultimately positioning the candidate as a valuable asset.