Questions To Ask As A Hiring Manager

Ah, the hiring manager. The gatekeeper of dreams, the arbiter of office culture, the person who gets to play a real-life game of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” with someone’s career. We sit there, armed with our fancy interview questions. But let’s be honest, sometimes the best questions aren't the ones in the glossy HR handbook.

We've all been there. Staring at a resume, trying to decipher if "synergistic" actually means anything. Then comes the interview. We ask the usual suspects: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" (Answer: Hopefully not still answering this question.) "What's your greatest weakness?" (Answer: My unwavering honesty... winks).

But what if we shook things up a little? What if we asked questions that were, dare I say, a little fun? Questions that revealed the real person, not just the perfectly polished interviewee. I’m talking about the kind of questions that might make you chuckle, the ones that might reveal a hidden talent for, say, competitive napping.

The "Unpopular Opinion" Section

Here are some of my personal favorites. Feel free to judge. I’m used to it.

Question #1: What's the most absurd thing you've ever Googled?

This one is gold. It tells you a lot about a person's curiosity. Are they Googling conspiracy theories about pigeons? Or perhaps the optimal way to fold a fitted sheet? Both are valid, in their own way.

It also shows their comfort level with being a little vulnerable. Admitting you've searched for "how to tell if your cat is secretly plotting world domination" is a surprisingly effective icebreaker.

Plus, you might just discover a shared interest in obscure facts. Who knows, maybe they’re the perfect person to consult when you need to know the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow.

Question #2: If you were a kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?

This is a classic for a reason. Are they a blender, constantly mixing things up and bringing energy? Or a steadfast toaster, reliable and always delivering when needed? Perhaps a quirky waffle maker, bringing a little extra joy to the everyday?

It's all about their self-perception and how they view their contribution. A microwave might say they’re efficient, but a stand mixer might imply they're essential for creating something truly special. It's a fun little metaphor.

And if they say they’d be a spatula because they’re good at flipping things, well, you might have a future negotiator on your hands. Or someone who’s really good at pancakes. Either way, valuable.

Question #3: What's your go-to karaoke song, and are you willing to belt it out right now?

Okay, maybe not the last part. Unless your office has a surprisingly robust karaoke culture. But the first part? Utterly revealing. Are they a power ballad warrior? A pop princess? Or a novelty song enthusiast?

This question gauges their personality under pressure. Can they commit to a choice? Do they have a sense of humor about their own potential musical stylings?

It’s a low-stakes way to see how they handle being put on the spot. And you might just discover your next office trivia champion. Imagine the bragging rights if they pick a song that actually wins trivia night.

Question #4: What’s the most useless skill you possess?

We all have them. The ability to perfectly whistle with our fingers. The knack for remembering every single character’s name from a forgotten 90s sitcom. The talent for balancing spoons on your nose.

This question humanizes them. It shows they can laugh at themselves and don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s a breath of fresh air from the constant striving for perfection.

Plus, you might find that their "useless" skill is actually pretty entertaining. Imagine having someone who can juggle apples during the annual holiday party. Suddenly, that spoon-balancing talent seems a lot more valuable.

Question #5: If you could have any superpower, but it had to be incredibly inconvenient, what would it be?

This is where things get really interesting. Forget flying if it means you can only fly backwards. Or invisibility, but only when you're screaming. The inconvenience is key.

It shows their creative problem-solving skills. How do they adapt to limitations? How do they find the humor in a seemingly impossible situation?

Someone might choose the power to control all the traffic lights, but only when they’re walking. Or the ability to speak to squirrels, but they only ever complain about nuts. It’s a test of their resilience and their ability to think outside the box.

Why These Questions Matter (Even If They’re a Little Weird)

Look, I'm not saying you should ditch your competency-based questions entirely. Those are important for assessing actual job skills. But a little bit of personality goes a long way.

These questions help you see if someone will actually fit into your team. Will they add to the laughter? Will they bring a unique perspective? Will they be the person who remembers everyone’s birthday and brings in those amazing homemade cookies?

It’s about building a team, not just filling a seat. And sometimes, the best way to find those amazing people is to ask them about their questionable Googling habits or their dream karaoke anthem.

So, the next time you’re interviewing, try a few of these. You might be surprised at what you learn. And who knows, you might even end up with a colleague who can perfectly imitate a barking seal. Now *that's a valuable skill.

Remember, hiring is an art, not just a science. And sometimes, the most colorful paintbrushes are the ones with the most interesting stories to tell. Even if those stories involve questionable internet searches and a deep-seated desire to be a waffle maker.