Closed Questions vs Open Questions #1
Closed Question 1: “Are there possibilities for promotion in the next two years?”
Why are these open questions better?
This question invites the interviewer to share a realistic view of professional growth. Instead of a simple affirmation, it allows you to learn about concrete experiences of other employees and understand how development opportunities are structured within the organization.
With this question, you seek to understand the company’s internal system. It reveals whether there are clear processes for professional development, whether merit is valued, or whether promotions depend on external factors. It’s key to evaluating whether the work environment fosters growth.
This question delves into evaluation criteria. It allows you to learn whether performance, seniority, soft skills, or objective fulfillment are valued. It’s essential for aligning expectations and understanding what’s needed to progress professionally.
Closed Question 2: “Does the company offer training courses?”
Why are these open questions better?
This question goes beyond courses. It allows you to learn whether the company offers mentoring, conferences, scholarships, dedicated learning time, or even rotations. It reveals the real commitment to team growth and how that support materializes in practice.
With this question, you seek to understand the variety of options. Not everyone learns the same way, which is why it’s important to know if there are formal, informal, in-person, virtual, or special project options. This helps evaluate whether the environment adapts to different learning styles.
This question seeks concrete cases. It allows you to learn real employee stories of growth within the company, what resources were provided to them, and what results were achieved. It’s a way to validate whether development support is real or just written policy.
Closed Question 3: “Is there a mentor program?”
Why are these open questions better?
This question seeks to understand the integration system. Not just whether mentors exist, but how they work, who assigns them, what expectations are held, and how their effectiveness is measured. It allows you to learn whether the company has a genuine commitment to adapting new talent.
With this question, you seek to understand the variety of resources. There may be mentors, coaches, interest groups, communities of practice, or even digital platforms. It reveals whether the company offers multiple paths for development and adapts to different professional needs.
This question delves into daily culture. It allows you to learn whether personal initiatives are valued, whether time is dedicated to learning, whether knowledge is shared among colleagues, or whether innovations are rewarded. It’s key to evaluating whether the work environment promotes constant growth.
🔍 Depth
Open questions allow exploration beyond the surface, revealing hidden thoughts, experiences, and skills.
🧠 Critical Thinking
They invite reflection, analysis, and response structuring, showing how candidates process information and make decisions.
💬 Communication
They reveal the ability to express oneself clearly, organize ideas, and convey messages effectively.
🌟 Authenticity
They allow candidates to show their true selves, without fitting into prefabricated responses or clichés.