How to Conduct an Engaging Interview: Tips and Questions for Hiring Manager
Why the Best Interviews Feel Like Conversations
If you’ve ever finished an interview feeling like you didn’t really get to know the person—or worse, that they didn’t get to know you or your team—you’re not alone. Interviewing is one of the most important (and overlooked) skills in management. A great interview goes beyond the résumé to uncover how someone thinks, communicates, and collaborates.
The good news? With a little structure and curiosity, you can make interviews more engaging, insightful, and efficient—while creating a better experience for everyone involved.
1. Prepare with Intention
A strong interview starts before the candidate walks in. Preparation helps you focus on what truly matters and avoid surface-level questions. Even seasoned hiring managers benefit from slowing down to think through their goals for the conversation.
Try this before each interview:
• Review the candidate’s résumé and notes in advance—don’t skim during the interview.
• Outline what skills or traits you most need to assess (for example: problem-solving, adaptability, communication).
• Plan a consistent structure for each interview to ensure fairness and better comparisons later.
• Prepare open-ended questions that allow candidates to tell real stories.
• Coordinate with other interviewers to avoid repetition and cover different areas of strength.
2. Set a Comfortable, Professional Tone
First impressions go both ways. The way you start an interview can influence how open and confident a candidate feels. When people feel comfortable, they’re more likely to share honest, meaningful examples of their work.
Create a welcoming environment by:
• Starting with a genuine smile and small talk to break the ice.
• Explaining what to expect during the conversation and how long it will take.
• Offering water or checking that the candidate is comfortable if the interview is in person.
• For virtual interviews, confirm that the connection and audio are working before diving in.
• Remembering that you’re representing your team’s culture—be authentic, approachable, and respectful.
3. Ask Questions That Inspire Real Answers
The best interview questions encourage storytelling, reflection, and honesty. They help you go beyond what’s on the résumé to see how a candidate thinks and solves problems. Avoid yes/no questions or ones that can be answered with buzzwords. Instead, ask open-ended questions that invite detail and insight.
Questions About the Role and Responsibilities
• Tell me about a project or accomplishment that best demonstrates your ability to do this job.
• When you start something new, what’s your process for learning and getting up to speed?
• What part of this job description feels most exciting to you—and what might stretch you the most?
• Describe a time when you had to manage competing priorities. How did you decide what came first?
Questions About Teamwork and Culture Fit
• What kind of team environment helps you do your best work?
• How do you prefer to give and receive feedback?
• Tell me about a time you worked with someone very different from you. What did you learn?
• What do you value most in a manager or a team?
Questions About Motivation and Growth
• What’s one skill you’ve developed recently that’s made you better at your job?
• Where do you see your next growth opportunity?
• What motivates you to do your best work, especially on tough days?
• If you joined this team, what would you hope to accomplish in your first year?
4. Listen More Than You Talk
A common mistake is filling too much of the interview with talking about the company or your own experiences. While it’s important to share information, the goal is to give the candidate space to speak.
Try to:
• Let candidates finish their thoughts before jumping in.
• Pay attention to tone and body language as much as content.
• Ask follow-up questions to dig deeper instead of moving on too quickly.
• Take short notes during the conversation so you can stay engaged without relying on memory later.
• Give each candidate your full attention—distractions can unintentionally send the wrong message.
5. End on a Positive, Professional Note
The way you close an interview often shapes how a candidate remembers the experience. Even if they aren’t selected, your tone and clarity can leave a lasting impression of your organization’s professionalism.
Before wrapping up:
• Thank the candidate for their time and interest.
• Share what to expect next in the process and an estimated timeline.
• Ask if they have any questions or concerns you can address.
• End on a warm, genuine note—let them know you appreciated the conversation.
The Bottom Line
A great interview is both structured and human. It’s about balancing curiosity with consistency—asking questions that reveal how someone works while giving them a sense of your culture and expectations. When hiring managers approach interviews as meaningful conversations, they uncover stronger insights, make better hiring decisions, and create a positive impression that strengthens the organization’s reputation.
In short: prepare well, listen closely, and keep it real. That’s what turns a standard interview into a successful one—for both sides.
Interview Do’s
- DO ask your Recruiter any questions you have about the interview. They have a wealth of knowledge for you to tap into. The time to resolve questions about an opportunity is before the actual interview. Any good recruiter will give you every tool/tips to help you market yourself the best you can in the client interview.
- DO make sure your resume is up to date and accurate. You may have to fill out an application in addition to your resume; make sure all the information is consistent on both.
- DO remember that what you post on social media sites is there for the whole world to see, including potential employers.
- DO research the company you are interviewing with. This will show the employer that you are really interested in joining them and that you are taking this opportunity seriously. Utilize the company website, as well as any forms of social media they may be involved with. Never has this been easier. Most companies have an “About Us” section on their website where you can find the company’s history, other locations, and mission statements. Study them and memorize a few facts about the company. Again, it’s all about separating yourself from the competition.
- DO be on time for the interview. Being late will kill your chances at landing the job before you even walk in the door. You should plan ahead to arrive at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Utilize your GPS or an online mapping service to find out how long it will take you to get there; but do not forget to consider other factors such as traffic and road construction. You may even want to drive the route a few days ahead of time to scout things out. Yes, being on time is that important!
- DO make sure your attire is appropriate for the interview. Being dressed too casually or over-dressed can destroy a great opportunity. Ask your recruiter for a personal evaluation of your interviewing attire. The rule of thumb is to wear a business suit unless your Recruiter tells you differently.
- DO be prepared for the interview. Your recruiter has done his/her part. Now it’s up to you. You are now the salesperson and the product is YOU! The company has a need, or they wouldn’t be interviewing, so sell your qualities to satisfy their need. Be prepared to answer questions ranging from work and educational history to your personal interests, plans, and hobbies. Be sure to listen to questions carefully, then collect your thoughts and answer the questions accurately and concisely.
- DO show interest in the company, its business and the position. Ask questions! Your actions, reactions, movements, enthusiasm and mannerisms during the interview can give you the edge in many cases. Approach each interview with genuine interest. You can always turn down an offer.
- DO make yourself clear! If an interviewer does not seem clear about a particular question, make sure you resolve the question and ask them to please to elaborate on the subject. The interviewer’s time is often hectic and you must make sure that they have a firm understanding of your abilities.
- DO ask for the job! Most candidates do not feel it necessary to ask for the position and as a result, many employers hire the person who asked for the job when other factors are equal. At the end of the interview, sum up your qualities and reiterate how they would profit the company.
- DO thank the interviewer for their time before you leave. Follow up with a Thank-you note. If the interviewer asks for additional information, make sure you get it to them promptly. Continue to “wow” them even after the initial interview.
- DO contact your recruiter immediately after the interview. Staying in close communication assures every consideration in the job market.
Interview Don’ts
- DON’T post anything that can harm your consideration for the job. This includes scandalous photos and messages about your party “habits”, links to distasteful websites, rants about past employers, and/or juicy facts about your dating life. Fair or not, in today’s world this can cost you a job as quickly as failing a drug test. You should also refrain from posting things 24/7; this too can be a red flag to employers that you may have a hard time with distractions and productivity.
- DON’T have your cell phone present in the interview. Have it in your purse or pocket and on vibrate or mute. If you get a call or text, DO NOT take it out to check who it is. You will no doubt be remembered by the interviewer, but not in a positive light. This seems like common sense to most, but it unbelievably happens.
- DON’T forget about the person who first greeted you at the company. Many interviewers ask this person what time the candidate arrived, how they acted in the lobby, and for their recommendation. Remember, the spotlight is on you well before you sit down for the actual interview.
- DON’T slouch in your chair, play with your hands, look at the floor, tap your feet, chew gum, arrive smelling of smoke, wear sun glasses, put your elbows on the interviewer’s desk or do any other non-verbal irritants during the interview. Nowhere is a first impression more important than during a job interview. You may not get another chance, so control your nerves and be respectful.
- DON’T be nervous during the interview. Remember, you are interviewing the company/position/employer/supervisor as well. Rambling on when asked questions or forcing the interviewer to “pull” answers from you can get tiresome. Practice interviewing with a friend or family member to sharpen your interviewing skills.
- DON’T assume that you are the only candidate being interviewed. It is a competitive world and you must make a good first impression to be noticed.
- DON’T ask for an unrealistic salary. A better reply to the salary question is “open to discussion.” Your recruiter will have given you the salary ranges for the position. Don’t blow it by asking for a higher salary.
- DON’T ask questions about sick leave, pension, vacations, etc. on the first interview. Talk opportunity not security.
- DON’T make derogatory remarks about previous employers. This is totally unprofessional and a complete turn-off for interviewers.