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6 Creative Interview Questions to Uncover Top Talent

eye 908 Mise à jour le 18 Sep. 2024
Assessing
tag #Potential identification

In today’s competitive hiring environment, assessing creativity in recruitment is essential for identifying candidates who can think outside the box. Standard questions often fail to capture the imagination of creative thinkers. But by asking unconventional questions, recruiters can gain deeper insights into a candidate’s potential.

Below are six creative questions that can help you uncover creative profiles in a job interview setting. Each question is designed not only to test a candidate’s originality but also to see how they apply their creativity to real-world problems.

Q1 - What is the Colour of Your Personality?

This seemingly simple question is more than a straightforward choice. It taps into the candidate’s ability to think metaphorically and describe abstract ideas.

How to Assess the Response:

Candidates who offer vivid, unique descriptions like “peacock blue for mystery and elegance” or “sunset orange for energy and passion” likely have strong creative instincts. Encourage them to elaborate on their choice, as this reveals how well they can connect their personal traits to creative expressions.

Q2 - What is the Common Point Between a Tree and a Financial Manager?

At first glance, this question seems entirely unrelated to the role. However, it is a powerful way to assess a candidate's creativity, as well as their problem-solving skills.

How to Assess the Response:

Look for well-reasoned analogies. For example, a candidate might say, “A financial manager, like a tree, grows and nurtures investments over time, ensuring stability and strength.” This answer shows creative thinking and the ability to draw insightful comparisons between unrelated concepts.

Q3 - Can You List Five Innovative Uses for a Single Sheet of Paper?

This classic lateral thinking question measures how inventive and imaginative a candidate can be, particularly when faced with a seemingly mundane object.

How to Assess the Response:

Responses may range from practical to wildly imaginative, and that’s okay! What matters is the breadth of ideas and how effortlessly candidates can shift from conventional uses (folding, writing) to more inventive ones (using paper as a makeshift ruler or abstract art). This demonstrates their ability to think creatively in a problem-solving context.

Q4 - The Role Includes the Support of a Virtual Assistant Equipped with AI. Would You Use It, and What Tasks Would You Assign It?

This question explores the candidate's adaptability to new technologies and their ability to integrate AI tools into their work processes.

How to Assess the Response:

Creative candidates will see AI as an opportunity to automate routine tasks (e.g., scheduling, data entry) and free up time for more strategic, innovative work. Listen for excitement about the possibilities of AI and how they would use it to enhance productivity. This indicates they’re forward-thinking and ready to embrace future work trends.

Q5 - How Would You Describe ChatGPT to Someone from 100 Years Ago?

Describing modern technology in a historical context pushes candidates to think creatively and abstractly, simplifying complex ideas for an audience unfamiliar with current technology.

How to Assess the Response:

Strong candidates might compare ChatGPT to an “intelligent assistant, like a butler who anticipates needs and provides instant information.” Their answer should show a deep understanding of the technology while also demonstrating creativity in how they explain it in a historical context.

Q6 - What Can We Do to Improve Our Recruitment Process?

This question puts candidates in a position to offer feedback on the very process they are undergoing, which can be both challenging and insightful.

How to Assess the Response:

Look for constructive suggestions that demonstrate creative thinking without being overly critical. For example, a candidate might suggest “incorporating more interactive tasks to assess real-time problem-solving.” This shows they’ve thought critically about the process while offering practical, creative improvements.

Conclusion: Tapping into Creative Potential

By asking unconventional questions, recruiters can gain deeper insights into a candidate’s creative potential. These questions don’t just assess whether someone can think outside the box—they reveal how adaptable, innovative, and strategic a candidate is. In a rapidly changing work environment, identifying creative profiles is crucial for building a team capable of meeting complex challenges with fresh, strategic insights.

Incorporating these questions into your recruitment process will help you discover candidates who can adapt, innovate, and excel in dynamic, evolving workplaces.

Helen Simard

Consultant psychologist (career guidance and psychometrics)

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