Finding the right candidate goes beyond assessing experience, skills, and qualifications. To truly gauge a candidate’s suitability for your team, it’s crucial to delve deeper into their character and potential. Traditional interview questions often fall short in revealing these aspects. That’s where unconventional questions come in—they can uncover unique insights into a candidate’s personality and professional outlook.

3 Surprising Questions That Can Reveal a Lot

Here are three surprising questions that can reveal a lot about candidates, providing valuable insights into their potential for success in the commercial banking and private client advisory sectors.

1. “Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?”

While this might sound like a standard question, it digs deep into a candidate’s self-awareness, accountability, and problem-solving skills. In industries like commercial banking, where trust and precision are paramount, understanding how a candidate manages mistakes is crucial.

Why It Matters:

• Self-Awareness: Candidates who openly discuss their mistakes demonstrate a healthy level of self-awareness and honesty. This is vital in banking and advisory roles, where ethical standards and personal integrity are key.
• Accountability: A candidate’s willingness to take responsibility for their actions indicates their ability to maintain professional integrity and build trust with clients and colleagues.
• Problem-Solving: How they address and learn from their mistakes reveals their capacity for critical thinking and resilience, essential traits in high-stakes financial environments.

2. “What motivates you outside of work, and how do you bring that motivation into your professional life?”

This question shifts the focus from the candidate’s professional skills to their personal passions and intrinsic motivation. It helps to uncover what drives them beyond their job responsibilities, providing a more holistic view of their character.

Why It Matters:

• Passion and Engagement: Understanding a candidate’s external motivations can give insight into their enthusiasm and drive. For instance, a candidate who enjoys mentoring could bring strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit to client relationships.
• Work-Life Balance: This question also sheds light on how candidates manage stress and maintain a healthy balance, which is crucial in the demanding world of finance.
• Transferable Skills: Personal interests often translate into valuable professional strengths. For example, someone who is passionate about strategic games might excel in analytical thinking and decision-making.

3. “If you could instantly gain one new skill or piece of knowledge, what would it be and why?”

This hypothetical question offers a window into a candidate’s aspirations and their approach to growth. In a rapidly evolving industry like finance, the willingness to learn and adapt is critical.

Why It Matters:

• Aspirations and Goals: It reveals a candidate’s professional development priorities and how they see themselves growing within the industry. This can help gauge their long-term fit with your organization.
• Curiosity and Learning Orientation: A candidate’s desire to learn new skills indicates their adaptability and eagerness to stay ahead in a dynamic field.
• Alignment with Role: The specific skills or knowledge they seek can provide clues about their career ambitions and how they align with the strategic goals of your organization.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating these unconventional questions into your interview process can provide deeper insights into a candidate’s character, motivations, and potential fit within your team.

In the specialized fields of commercial banking and private client advisory, where the stakes are high, understanding how candidates handle challenges, what drives them, and their aspirations for growth can be the key to finding the perfect fit.

For more insights and strategies on hiring top candidates, visit The Anderson Search Group. If you need personalized guidance or have specific questions, our team of experts is here to help.