Many small businesses struggle with knowing what questions to ask during interviews. With so many possible topics, it’s easy to overlook the questions that truly reveal whether a candidate is the right fit.

Below are effective interview techniques and questions that help evaluate a candidate’s teachability, work ethic, character, and long-term potential.

Teaching and Coaching

“Tell me about a time you had to learn something new.”
This question helps determine whether the candidate is teachable and coachable, and how they respond when guided or trained by others.

“Who has been the biggest mentor in your life? What did you learn from them?”
Reveals whether the candidate values guidance, listens to advice, and can recognize meaningful lessons from others.

“Tell me about a mentor or boss you struggled to work with.”
This question shows maturity and professionalism. Strong candidates focus on differences in working styles—not personal conflicts.

Work Ethic

Understanding how candidates handle pressure, responsibility, and time management is critical when building a reliable team.

“If you were assigned a task and didn’t have enough time to complete it, what would you do?”
Helps assess problem-solving skills, accountability, and how the candidate handles challenging situations.

Ask about extracurricular activities, hobbies, and schedules.
These questions reveal organization skills, time management, and level of involvement.

“What price did you pay when you had to work hard for something?”
A strong indicator of perseverance and commitment. Hard work + effort + reflection often signal a strong candidate.

“Have you ever gone out of your way to get something done?”
Excellent for identifying leadership potential and initiative.

Character

Character-based questions help uncover values, priorities, and how candidates respond to success and setbacks.

“What achievement are you most proud of?”
Reveals priorities and how the candidate defines success.

“What is your biggest regret?”
Shows self-awareness and how the candidate processes and learns from difficult situations.

“Tell me about your last major purchase.”

• Shows ambition and goal-setting
• Reveals planning and saving habits
• Provides insight into decision-making processes

“Which statement best describes you: I like to win, or I hate to lose?”

• I like to win: Often reflects competitiveness and confidence.
• I hate to lose: Indicates resilience, persistence, and determination to improve.

These questions help paint a clear picture of who a candidate truly is. Long-term involvement in activities often signals persistence, leadership, and commitment.

Key Qualities to Look for in Employees

While no candidate is perfect, successful employees often share these traits:

• Adversity
• Ambition
• Character
• Perseverance
• Goal-oriented mindset
• Coachability
• Respect for mentors
• Strong work ethic

Hiring the right people is one of the most important decisions a business owner can make. Asking the right questions helps ensure you build a team that supports long-term success.