Closed-ended vs. Open-ended Questions for Job interviewers #1 About previous experience

💼 #1 Closed vs Open Questions: Job Interview

Closed Questions vs Open Questions #1

Job Interview
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Closed Question 1: “Did you meet your sales targets?”

First example of open question ❓🤔
“Could you describe your strategy for meeting sales targets?”
Second example of open question 🗣️💭
“How did you handle periods where sales were more challenging?”
Third example of open question 🤷‍♂️❓
“What learnings did you gain from your sales experience that you would apply in this role?”

Why are these open questions better?

“Could you describe your strategy for meeting sales targets?”

This question invites the candidate to explain their approach and methodology. Instead of a simple “yes” or “no”, a detailed view of how they think and act in real situations is obtained. It allows evaluating not only the results, but also the planning and execution capacity of the interviewee.

“How did you handle periods where sales were more challenging?”

With this question, we seek to understand the candidate’s resilience. How do they react under pressure? What tools do they use to overcome obstacles? The answer reveals much about their character, coping skills and practical experience in difficult situations.

“What learnings did you gain from your sales experience that you would apply in this role?”

This question evaluates the candidate’s ability to reflect. It’s not just about making sales, but learning from them. It allows us to know if the interviewee is aware of their strengths, areas for improvement and how they can transfer knowledge to new professional situations.

Closed Question 2: “Did you work with CRM tools?”

First example of open question ❓🤔
“How have you used CRM tools to improve customer management?”
Second example of open question 🗣️💭
“What strategies did you implement to maximize CRM usage in your team?”
Third example of open question 🤷‍♂️❓
“Could you share an example of how the CRM helped you improve results?”

Why are these open questions better?

“How have you used CRM tools to improve customer management?”

This question goes beyond technical knowledge. It allows us to understand how the candidate applies the tool in their daily work, what benefits they have obtained and how they have contributed to improving processes. It is key to evaluate their ability to adapt and optimize resources.

“What strategies did you implement to maximize CRM usage in your team?”

With this question, we evaluate the candidate’s leadership and initiative. Are they proactive? How do they influence their environment? The answer can show management skills, communication abilities and the capacity to drive improvements in the team, something valuable in any organization.

“Could you share an example of how the CRM helped you improve results?”

This question seeks concrete evidence. A good example can demonstrate the candidate’s effectiveness and their ability to obtain tangible results. In addition, it allows evaluating their ability to analyze data and make decisions based on real information.

Closed Question 3: “Did you manage large teams?”

First example of open question ❓🤔
“How did you develop your leadership approach when managing teams?”
Second example of open question 🗣️💭
“What challenges did you encounter when managing teams and how did you overcome them?”
Third example of open question 🤷‍♂️❓
“Could you share a situation where you had to motivate your team during a difficult time?”

Why are these open questions better?

“How did you develop your leadership approach when managing teams?”

This question allows us to understand the candidate’s evolution as a leader. How have they learned to lead? What influences have shaped their style? The answer can reveal maturity, self-awareness and ability to adapt to different contexts and personalities.

“What challenges did you encounter when managing teams and how did you overcome them?”

Challenges are a window into character. This question allows us to understand how the candidate reacts to adversity, what they learned from their mistakes and how they overcame obstacles. It is key to evaluate resilience, learning ability and problem-solving skills.

“Could you share a situation where you had to motivate your team during a difficult time?”

This question evaluates the candidate’s empathy and interpersonal skills. How do they connect with their team? What techniques do they use to maintain morale and productivity? The answer can show emotional leadership, effective communication and the ability to inspire others.

🔍 Depth

Open questions allow exploring beyond the surface, revealing hidden thoughts, experiences and skills.

🧠 Critical Thinking

They invite reflection, analysis and structuring of responses, showing how the candidate processes information and makes decisions.

💬 Communication

They reveal the ability to express oneself clearly, organize ideas and convey messages effectively.

🌟 Authenticity

They allow the candidate to show their true self, without fitting into prefabricated responses or clichés.

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