creative critical thinking interview questions

Critical Thinking Interview Questions: 15 Interview Questions to Identify Top Candidates

Critical thinking goes beyond technical expertise and is essential in a wide range of professions. It’s a skill that enables employees to analyze information, solve problems, and make informed decisions. You can gauge critical thinking using assessment tests, practical problem solving, or through crafting interview questions highlighting critical thinking abilities.

In this blog, we’ll be going through questions you can ask your candidates to figure out if they have the critical thinking skills you require for your open position. But first, let’s talk about why critical thinking skills are so important.  

Why Are Critical Thinking Skills Necessary?

Critical thinkers are especially necessary positions that require problem solving skills, juggling various priorities, and analyzing data. Although many jobs and industries require a certain level of critical thinking ability, these skills are essential for some job roles and industries, including:

• K-12 : The best teachers are creative problem solvers. Between classroom management and learning fatigue, critical thinking skills help teachers find the best way to connect with their students.
• Leadership Positions : Effective leaders must make strategic decisions, often in ambiguous situations. Critical thinking is crucial in leadership roles.
• Creative Fields : In industries such as design, advertising, and content creation, the ability to think critically allows individuals to come up with innovative and unique solutions and ways to attract prospective customers.
• Healthcare : Medical professionals must critically assess patient conditions, interpret test results, and make decisions that can have a significant impact on a patient’s well-being.
• Technology : IT professionals, software developers, and data analysts rely on critical thinking to troubleshoot, create algorithms, and analyze data.

Now, let’s dive into a list of interview questions that can help you evaluate a candidate’s critical thinking abilities.  

Interview Questions to Assess Critical Thinking:

Note: Feel free to mix and match these questions based on the specific role and the level of critical thinking required. Also–to expand on questions like these, you can use tools like AI Question Assist . interviewstream’s Ethical AI tool helps you come up with position and industry-based questions using community knowledge from a large language

• Tell me about a situation where you faced a complex problem at work? How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
• How do you typically approach a new project or task? What steps do you take to understand the problem and develop a plan?
• Give an example of a situation where you had to think on your feet and adapt to unexpected challenges.
• Describe a project where you had to evaluate multiple options before making a decision. How did you assess the pros and cons?
• Provide an instance where you identified a problem in your current or previous role that others might have overlooked? What did you do about it?
• What methods do you use to gather and evaluate information when solving complex issues?
• Tell me about a situation where you had to analyze data to make a decision. What tools or methodologies did you use?
• Describe a project where you had to anticipate potential obstacles and develop contingency plans. How did your proactive thinking benefit the project?
• Provide an example of a time when you identified a solution that significantly improved a process or operation at your company?
• Describe a situation where you had to explain a complex concept or solution to someone who had little to no knowledge of the subject. How did you ensure effective communication?
• How do you prioritize tasks and allocate your time when dealing with multiple projects or assignments?
• Explain your process for identifying the root cause of a problem. Can you provide an example from your experience?
• Describe a project where you had to innovate and think outside the box to overcome a challenge or reach a goal?
• Tell me about a time when you had to analyze financial data or budgets to make recommendations or decisions for your department or company.
• How do you approach a project that requires you to think long-term and consider the potential future implications of your decisions?

How to Use Critical Thinking Interview Questions in your Interviewing Process

The ability to think critically and solve complex problems is relevant across a wide range of job roles and industries. You can use the questions above to assess the critical thinking abilities of your candidates. And you can assess those skills even better if you ask these questions in an in-person or video interview .

Especially if you are using these questions in screening interviews , video screening is an effective way to see the candidate process critical thinking questions in real time. For more information on interview questions, we wrote an article on the best interview questions to ask for team players , or you can fill out this form to chat with us today about how interviewstream can help you ask the right questions, every time.

About The Author

Caroline Chessia is the Marketing Operations Specialist at interviewstream. She loves color-coordinated graphs, hiking in the mountains, and every dog she meets—especially the Golden Retrievers.

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Top 25 Creative Thinking Interview Questions And Answers in 2024

Editorial Team

Creative thinking is a valuable skill that can be applied to various fields, from marketing and advertising to product design and software development. In today’s competitive job market, employers often look for candidates who can think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

To assist you in preparing for your next interview, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 creative thinking interview questions and answers. These questions will test your ability to think critically, problem-solve, and generate new ideas. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, these questions will help you showcase your creative thinking skills and demonstrate your potential to be a valuable asset to any organization.

1. Can You Describe A Situation Where You Had To Think Outside The Box To Solve A Problem?

Sure, I’d be happy to answer that question. One situation that came to mind was when I was working on a marketing campaign for a client in the technology industry. The client wanted to reach a younger, tech-savvy audience but needed more budget. After some brainstorming sessions with my team, we realized that most of our target audience spends a lot of time on gaming platforms.

We decided to launch a unique in-game advertising campaign that reached our target audience in a fun and interactive way. The campaign was a tremendous success and received positive feedback from both the client and the audience. This experience taught me the importance of being open to unconventional solutions and constantly seeking new and innovative ways to solve problems.

2. Can You Walk Me Through Your Creative Process?

My creative process typically involves a few key steps: research, creativity, development, and refinement.

First, I like to gather as much information about the project and its goals as possible, including insights about the target audience, the industry, and any existing materials that may be relevant.

Next, I move on to the ideation stage, where I generate various ideas and concepts, often through brainstorming sessions with my team or solo brainstorming exercises. I strive to come up with a diverse set of conventional and unconventional ideas to ensure that I’m not limiting my thinking to just one direction.

Once I have a good pool of ideas, I begin developing and fleshing out the most promising concepts. This is where I see the concepts come to life and better understand what’s working and not.

Finally, I refine and iterate on the concepts until I arrive at the final solution that meets all the project’s requirements and goals.

3. How Do You Stay Inspired And Motivated In Your Work?

I’m passionate about what I do, which keeps me motivated daily. I also stay informed about new trends, techniques, and technologies in my field, which helps me stay fresh and inspired.

Additionally, I find it helpful to surround myself with like-minded individuals, whether that be through networking events, professional organizations, or simply by seeking out individuals with similar interests. This helps me to stay connected with others who share my passion, which can be a great source of inspiration.

Finally, I also make sure to take breaks and step away from my work when I need to. Whether that means going for a walk, reading a book, or simply disconnecting, taking time for myself helps me recharge and return to my work with renewed energy and inspiration.

4. How Do You Handle Criticism Of Your Ideas?

First, I understand the basis of the criticism and consider if it has merit. If it does, I take it as an opportunity to learn and improve my work. If not, I respectfully explain my perspective and reasoning behind my ideas.

I also value constructive criticism, as it can help me to grow as a creative professional and bring new perspectives to my work. I view criticism as a dialogue, not a personal attack, and I’m always open to hearing others’ thoughts and opinions.

At the same time, it’s important to have confidence in your ideas and stand by them if you believe they’re the best solution for a particular project. Balancing an open mind with conviction can be challenging, but it’s an important skill for a creative professional.

5. Can You Share An Example Of A Successful Campaign Or Project You’ve Worked On And What Made It Successful?

I’d love to share an example of a successful campaign I worked on. One that comes to mind is a branding campaign I led for a local non-profit organization that aimed to raise awareness about environmental issues.

We took a unique approach to the campaign by partnering with local artists to create visually striking murals around the city that showcased the beauty of nature and the consequences of neglecting the environment. The murals were accompanied by a social media campaign that engaged the community and encouraged them to take action to protect the environment.

The campaign was a huge success, and not only did it raise awareness about environmental issues, but it also helped to bring the community together and generate a sense of pride in the city.

What made this campaign successful was the combination of a creative and impactful visual component with a community-driven approach. The murals captured people’s attention and sparked conversation, while the social media component allowed for direct engagement and activism. The end result was a powerful, memorable campaign that achieved its goals and had a lasting impact.

6. How Do You Balance The Need For Creativity With The Constraints Of A Project?

Balancing creativity with the constraints of a project is a delicate dance, but one that I’ve honed over the years through experience and a strategic approach.

First, I make sure to fully understand the project goals and constraints, as well as any specific requirements or limitations, before I begin my creative process. This ensures that I’m not wasting time exploring ideas that may not be feasible.

Next, I embrace the constraints as opportunities to exercise my creativity. I find that often; the limitations can drive me to come up with more innovative and unexpected solutions.

I also make sure to have open and ongoing communication with my team and stakeholders to ensure that we’re all aligned on the project goals and to address any concerns or questions that may arise throughout the creative process.

7. How Do You Come Up With New And Unique Ideas?

I start by immersing myself in my area of expertise and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. I also like to explore new and diverse perspectives by seeking inspiration from various sources, such as art, nature, technology, and different cultures.

Another important aspect of generating new ideas is collaboration and brainstorming with my team. Bouncing ideas off of others often leads to new and unexpected solutions.

I also experiment and take risks in my work. Sometimes, the best ideas come from trying something new or stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Finally, I always keep a curious and open mind and am not afraid to ask questions and challenge the status quo. By staying informed, collaborating, experimenting, and curious, I can consistently generate new and unique ideas.

8. Can You Describe A Time When You Had To Use Creative Thinking To Overcome A Challenge In Your Personal Or Professional Life?

I recall a time when I was faced with a challenging situation in my professional life that required me to think creatively.

I was working on a marketing campaign for a new product launch, and we were up against a tight deadline and limited budget. I knew we needed to develop a unique and impactful approach that would get noticed amidst the market’s noise.

I took a step back, re-evaluated the situation, and realized that we had an untapped resource: our employees. I rallied my team, and we worked together to create an employee-driven influencer campaign, where each team member reached out to their personal networks and encouraged them to share the product with their friends and family.

The campaign was a huge success and exceeded our expectations. Not only did it generate buzz for the product launch, but it also fostered a sense of teamwork and unity within the company.

9. Can You Give An Example Of How You’ve Taken A Simple Idea And Turned It Into Something Extraordinary?

Yes, I have had the opportunity to do this a few times in my career. One instance that reaches to mind is a project I worked on for a local non-profit organization. The organization wanted to host a charity walk to raise awareness for their cause and fund their programs.

At first, the idea was simple: host a charity walk and ask people to participate and donate. However, I saw the potential for something more impactful and memorable.

I brought together a team of designers, marketers, and event planners, and we worked to turn the simple charity walk into a full-fledged community event. We added interactive elements like music, games, and food vendors, and we encouraged participants to engage with the organization and learn more about their cause.

The result was a festive, community-focused event that raised awareness and funds for the organization and brought people together, and strengthened the sense of community.

10. How Do You Collaborate With Others To Bring New Ideas To Life?

When collaborating with others, I listen to their ideas and perspectives and look for ways to bring our unique strengths together to achieve a common goal. I also make sure to clearly communicate my own ideas and thoughts and encourage open dialogue.

I also prioritize teamwork and delegation, as everyone has something valuable to contribute. By working together and sharing responsibilities, we can bring our collective knowledge and expertise to the table and create something truly special.

I also value the power of diversity and strive to bring in different perspectives and ideas. The best results come from a mix of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

11. Can You Share An Example Of A Project Where You Had To Think Creatively Under Pressure?

Yes, I have had the opportunity to think creatively under pressure several times in my career. One example that stands out to me is a project I worked on for a large technology company.

The company was launching a new product, and the marketing team was tasked with creating an engaging and impactful advertising campaign. However, we had limited resources and a tight deadline, so we needed to think creatively to make the most of what we had.

I worked with my team to come up with an unconventional approach to the campaign. Instead of relying on traditional advertising methods, we leveraged social media influencers and user-generated content to spread the word about the product.

We created a social media challenge where users could showcase how they were using the product in their daily lives and incentivized them to participate by offering prizes. This generated buzz and excitement around the product and gave us a wealth of user-generated content that we could repurpose in our advertising efforts.

12. How Do You Handle The Pressure Of Tight Deadlines And Multiple Projects?

Tight deadlines and multiple projects can be challenging, but I have learned to handle the pressure effectively by staying organized and prioritizing tasks.

I start by creating a clear plan for each project, breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks. This helps me to stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed by the larger project as a whole.

Next, I prioritize my tasks based on their importance and deadline. This allows me to focus on what needs to be done first and ensures that I am making steady progress on each project.

I also make sure to communicate regularly with my team and stakeholders to keep everyone up to date on the status of each project and to address any potential roadblocks as they arise. This helps me to identify potential issues early and address them before they become bigger problems.

13. Can You Describe A Time When You Took A Risk With A Creative Idea?

Yes, I have taken several creative risks throughout my career, and one that stands out to me is a project I worked on for a startup company.

The company was launching a new product in a crowded and competitive market, and the marketing team was tasked with standing out and creating a buzz. I had a bold and unconventional idea for the advertising campaign, but it was risky as it was a departure from the traditional methods that the industry was used to.

Despite the potential risks, I presented my idea to the team and convinced them to take a chance at it. My idea was to create a series of short, quirky, and humorous videos that showcased the product in an unexpected way.

The videos went viral, and the product received widespread attention and positive reviews. The advertising campaign was a huge success, and the business experienced a substantial increase in sales as a result.

14. How Do You Measure The Success Of A Creative Project?

When evaluating a creative project’s success, I consider several different metrics and KPIs. At the rear of the day, it’s about ensuring that the project meets or exceeds the goals and objectives set for it.

This could include metrics such as increased brand awareness, increased engagement on social media, higher sales or conversions, or positive feedback from stakeholders. I also like to look at the project’s return on investment and how it impacted the bottom line.

I also consider the impact the project had on the target audience. Was the project able to connect with them and spark their interest in the brand or product? Did the project evoke an emotional response or encourage them to take a specific action? These are all key indicators of success.

15. How Do You Stay Ahead Of The Curve With New Trends And Technologies In Your Industry?

Staying current with my field’s latest trends and technologies is crucial to staying relevant and producing impactful work.

To do this, I make a point to attend relevant industry events, conferences, and workshops. These events provide valuable opportunities to network with peers and learn from experts in the field.

I also subscribe to trade publications, blogs, and social media accounts that cover my field. This helps me stay informed about the latest developments and innovations, and I find it to be a great source of inspiration for new ideas.

16. Can You Give An Example Of How You’ve Turned A Failure Into A Success Through Creative Thinking?

I believe failures can provide valuable learning opportunities, and I approach them with a growth mindset. In a previous project, we faced a challenge that initially seemed like a failure. However, instead of giving up, I approached the situation creatively.

I brought together a team of colleagues to brainstorm alternative solutions and perspectives, and we were able to turn the situation around by thinking outside the box. We discovered a new approach that solved the initial problem and opened up new opportunities for the project.

What made this experience particularly successful was how we turned a failure into a positive outcome through creative thinking and collaboration. The project became a shining example of the value that can be gained from taking risks and embracing change, and it taught me the importance of approaching challenges with a growth mindset.

17. Can You Describe A Time When You Had To Pitch A Creative Idea To Stakeholders?

In a previous project, I was tasked with pitching a new and innovative marketing campaign to a group of stakeholders. I knew this was a big opportunity to showcase my creative thinking and problem-solving skills, so I approached the task with a lot of energy and excitement.

I spent time researching and gathering data to support my idea, and I carefully crafted my pitch to highlight the unique value and benefits of the campaign. I also made sure to be flexible and open to feedback so that I could make any necessary adjustments along the way.

In the end, my pitch was a huge success, and I effectively communicated the value of my idea to the stakeholders. They were impressed by my creativity and passion for the project and quickly approved the campaign.

18. How Do You Prioritize And Manage Your Creative Projects?

Prioritizing and managing my creative projects is a critical part of my job, and I take it very seriously. To ensure that I stay organized and on track, I have developed a structured approach to project management that helps me balance the competing demands of multiple projects and tight deadlines.

One key thing I do is set clear goals and objectives for each project so I know what I am working towards. I then create a detailed project plan that outlines the steps I need to take to achieve these goals, and I use this plan to guide my work and stay focused.

19. Can You Share A Creative Project You’ve Worked On That Had A Significant Impact?

I’d love to share a project that had a significant impact. One project that comes to mind is when I was working on a rebranding campaign for a non-profit organization. The goal was to increase awareness and attract new donors. I led a team of designers and worked with the organization to understand its goals and values.

Through a series of brainstorming sessions, we devised a new logo and tagline that better reflected the organization’s mission. The rebranding was a huge success, and the campaign generated a lot of buzzes. The organization saw an increase in both website traffic and donations, and the new brand helped position them as a leader in their field.

I was delighted to have been a part of this project and to see the positive impact our creative efforts had on the organization and its mission.

20. Can You Give An Example Of How You’ve Used Data To Inform A Creative Decision?

I understand the importance of using data to inform creative decisions. In my previous role, I worked on a marketing campaign for a new product launch. We wanted to target a specific audience and make the campaign as impactful as possible. I analyzed customer data to understand their preferences and behaviors and used that information to tailor our creative approach.

This resulted in a successful campaign that resonated well with our target audience and exceeded our expectations. By combining creativity with data-driven insights, we were able to create a campaign that was both visually appealing and effective.

21. Can You Share A Project Where You Had To Overcome A Lack Of Resources To Achieve Your Creative Vision?

I recall a project I worked on where our budget was very limited, and it seemed like we needed help to achieve our creative vision. However, I believed in the idea and knew we had to find a manner to make it work. I collaborated with my team and started brainstorming alternative solutions.

We used cost-effective materials and utilized local resources to our advantage, resulting in a unique and impactful final product. It was a great example of how a bit of resourcefulness and creative thinking can go a long way in achieving success, even with limited resources.

22. How Do You Collaborate With Cross-Functional Teams To Bring Your Creative Ideas To Life?

Collaborating with cross-functional teams is crucial in bringing creative ideas to life. I approach it by first understanding the skills and expertise of each team member, then actively seeking their input and suggestions. I also keep open communication lines and ensure everyone is on the same page, both in terms of the project goals and the timeline. We can turn a creative vision into a tangible, impactful reality by working together and utilizing each other’s strengths.

23. Can You Share A Project Where You Had To Work Within A Specific Brand Identity Or Style Guide?

I would happily share an example of a project where I had to work within a specific brand identity or style guide. One project that reaches mind is a large corporation’s website redesign. The client had a very specific brand identity, complete with guidelines for typography, color palette, and imagery. I was tasked with incorporating these guidelines into the design and creating a modern and user-friendly website.

To achieve this, I followed the style guide closely and ensured that every aspect of the design adhered to the defined guidelines. However, I also used my creativity to find ways to add a unique touch to the design, such as incorporating interactive elements while still maintaining the established brand identity.

The result was a website that met the client’s expectations and their customers and effectively communicated the brand’s message.

24. How Do You Keep Your Creative Work Fresh And Avoid Burnout?

I believe in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and continuously seeking new experiences and perspectives to inspire my work. I also try to switch up my projects and take on different types of work to keep things fresh.

Taking breaks and pursuing hobbies outside of work can also prevent burnout and bring a new level of energy and creativity to my projects. Additionally, regularly collaborating with other creatives and getting constructive feedback on my work help keep me motivated and prevent burnout.

25. How Do You Approach Brainstorming Sessions To Generate New Ideas?

I always make sure to come to the session with a clear understanding of the project goals and any constraints. Then, I actively listen to the ideas of my team members and build upon them, encouraging everyone to share and contribute. I also like incorporating reverse brainstorming, mind mapping, and sketching techniques to keep the energy and momentum high. We can generate diverse, innovative, and actionable ideas by fostering an inclusive and open-minded environment.

The Top 25 Creative Thinking Interview Questions and Answers covered in this blog aim to provide insights into the various aspects of creative thinking and how it can be applied in various professional settings.

By preparing for these questions and professionally answering them, individuals can demonstrate their creative thinking skills and show their potential as valuable assets to any organization. With a well-rounded understanding of these questions, candidates can confidently approach any creative thinking interview with the assurance that they have the knowledge and skills to excel.

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15 Creative Thinking Interview Questions and Answers

Prepare for the types of questions you are likely to be asked when interviewing for a position where Creative Thinking skills will be used.

Creative thinking is a process that can be used to generate new ideas or solve problems. It involves breaking down existing ideas and looking at them from different perspectives.

If you’re applying for a job that requires creative thinking, you may be asked interview questions that assess your ability to think outside the box. Here are some examples of creative thinking interview questions and tips on how to answer them.

• What is creative thinking?
• What are the main differences between critical thinking and creative thinking?
• Can you explain how to overcome a roadblock when trying to think creatively?
• How do you deal with criticism in a creative environment?
• Why is it important for managers and leaders to promote creative thinking at their organization?
• What techniques can be used to encourage creative thinking?
• What do you understand about the divergent-convergent model of creative thought?
• Give me an example of a time when you had to be creative while solving a problem or finding a solution to an issue at work?
• In your opinion, what’s the best way to encourage creative thinking within an organization?
• What’s the difference between convergent and divergent thinking?
• How does self-awareness factor into creative thinking?
• What are some common roadblocks that people face when trying to solve problems using creative thinking?
• Is there any value in creativity without critical thinking?
• What is the relationship between imagination and creativity?
• Are there certain personality types that tend to be more creative than others?

1. What is creative thinking?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of creative thinking in your role. When answering, define what creative thinking is and how it can help you succeed in your job.

Example: “Creative thinking is an important skill for my position because it allows me to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems. I use creative thinking every day when working on projects or tasks by looking at things from different perspectives and finding unique ways to solve issues. For example, if a client asks for something specific, I will look at their request and think about other ways I could meet their needs while also creating something they may not have expected.”

2. What are the main differences between critical thinking and creative thinking?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the two processes and how they differ. Your answer should include both similarities and differences between the two processes, as well as when you would use each process in your work.

Example: “Critical thinking and creative thinking are similar because they both involve problem-solving skills. However, critical thinking involves finding solutions to problems that already exist while creative thinking focuses on generating new ideas or concepts. I find myself using critical thinking more often than creative thinking in my current role, but I have used creative thinking in previous positions where I was tasked with coming up with new ways to improve existing products.”

3. Can you explain how to overcome a roadblock when trying to think creatively?

Roadblocks can occur when you’re trying to think creatively. Employers ask this question to see if you have strategies for overcoming these challenges and continue to be productive. In your answer, explain a time when you encountered a roadblock while working on a project. Explain how you overcame the challenge and what steps you took to get back on track.

Example: “When I was working as an advertising copywriter, I had to come up with several different slogans for a client’s new product launch. After coming up with several ideas, my creative juices seemed to dry up. I decided to take a break from the task and do something else for a few hours. When I came back to it later, I found that taking a short break helped me clear my mind and find more inspiration.”

4. How do you deal with criticism in a creative environment?

When working in a creative environment, you may receive feedback from your team members or supervisors. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle constructive criticism and use it to improve your work. In your answer, explain that you welcome feedback and try to learn something new every day. Explain that you value the opinions of others and are willing to take their advice into consideration when making decisions.

Example: “I understand that everyone has different opinions and experiences. I am always open to receiving feedback on my work and taking suggestions into account. When someone gives me feedback, I listen carefully and consider how I could apply their suggestion to my work. If I disagree with their opinion, I will politely tell them why I think differently and offer to discuss it further.”

5. Why is it important for managers and leaders to promote creative thinking at their organization?

This question can help the interviewer assess your understanding of how important creative thinking is in an organization. Use examples from your experience to explain why it’s beneficial for organizations to encourage their employees to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions.

Example: “Creative thinking is essential for any organization because it allows people to solve problems, develop new ideas and find unique solutions that may not be obvious at first glance. In my last role as a graphic designer, I worked on several projects where we needed to create something new or different. For example, one client wanted us to design a logo that would appeal to millennials but also fit within their brand guidelines. We brainstormed together and came up with some great ideas, including using bright colors and incorporating emojis into the design.”

6. What techniques can be used to encourage creative thinking?

Employers may ask this question to learn about your creative thinking skills and how you encourage them in others. When answering, consider the specific techniques you use to encourage creativity in yourself or others.

Example: “I believe that encouraging creative thinking starts with a positive attitude. If I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s hard for me to think creatively. To help myself stay calm and focused on solutions rather than problems, I take deep breaths and try to find humor in situations. This helps me see things from different perspectives and come up with new ideas.

When working with others, I also like to make sure everyone is heard. Sometimes, people are afraid to speak up because they’re worried their idea isn’t good enough. By asking questions and actively listening, I can ensure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.”

7. What do you understand about the divergent-convergent model of creative thought?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the creative process. It also allows you to show how you apply this knowledge in your own work.

Example: “The divergent-convergent model of creative thought was developed by J.P. Guilford, an American psychologist who studied creativity for many years. He believed that there are two types of thinking involved in the creative process. Divergent thinking involves generating as many ideas as possible without any constraints or limitations. Convergent thinking involves narrowing down these ideas into one solution. I understand that both of these processes are important when working on a project and using my creative thinking skills.”

8. Give me an example of a time when you had to be creative while solving a problem or finding a solution to an issue at work?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to use creative thinking to solve a problem or challenge at work.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating an ad campaign that would increase sales by 20% within the first month of its release. This seemed like a difficult task because we were already running ads that were supposed to do this, but they weren’t working as well as expected. So, I decided to look at our competitors’ ads and see what made them so effective. After doing some research, I found out that our competitor’s ads were using humor to attract customers. So, I pitched the idea of incorporating humor into our own ads to my team, and everyone agreed that it could help us reach our goal.”

9. In your opinion, what’s the best way to encourage creative thinking within an organization?

This question can help an interviewer understand your perspective on how to encourage innovation and creativity in the workplace. Use examples from your experience that show you know how to support creative thinking, even if it’s not within a team setting.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to encourage creative thinking is by giving employees opportunities to work outside their normal roles. For example, I worked at a marketing agency where we were tasked with creating campaigns for several different brands. One day, my manager asked me to create a campaign for a brand I had never worked with before. At first, I was nervous because I didn’t have much information about the brand or its target audience. However, after researching the brand, I realized there were many similarities between this brand and another one I had previously worked with. By applying what I learned from previous projects, I was able to come up with a successful campaign.”

10. What’s the difference between convergent and divergent thinking?

Convergent and divergent thinking are two different types of creative thinking. Employers may ask this question to see if you can apply your knowledge of these concepts in a work setting. In your answer, try to define both terms clearly and explain how they’re different from one another. You might also share an example of when you used each type of thinking.

Example: “Convergent thinking is the process of narrowing down ideas or solutions to find the best option. It’s often used to solve problems by finding the most logical solution. Divergent thinking, on the other hand, involves generating many possible solutions to a problem. This type of thinking helps me come up with new ideas and ways of looking at things.”

11. How does self-awareness factor into creative thinking?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to recognize and understand your own strengths, weaknesses and preferences. Use examples from past experiences to explain how self-awareness helps you develop creative solutions.

Example: “Self-awareness is an important factor in developing creative thinking skills because it allows me to understand my preferences and strengths. For example, I know that I am more comfortable working alone than collaborating with others on a project. However, I also know that I have developed my communication skills over time, so I feel confident asking questions when I need clarification or assistance. This has helped me learn how to collaborate effectively while still maintaining my independence.”

12. What are some common roadblocks that people face when trying to solve problems using creative thinking?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and how you overcome challenges. Your answer should include a few common roadblocks that people face when trying to solve problems creatively, along with strategies for overcoming them.

Example: “Some of the most common roadblocks I’ve seen in my experience are fear of failure, lack of confidence and not having enough time to think through ideas. When working on creative projects, it’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong solution. You just need to find an idea that works best for the situation. To overcome these roadblocks, I encourage others to take risks and try new things. I also remind them that they have my support if they want to talk about their concerns.”

13. Is there any value in creativity without critical thinking?

Critical thinking is a skill that allows you to analyze information and make decisions based on facts. Employers may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of both skills in your work. In your answer, explain how critical thinking complements creativity. Share an example of when you used both skills together to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “Critical thinking complements creativity because it helps us use our ideas effectively. For instance, I once worked with a client who wanted to create a new logo for their company. I started by asking them what they liked about their current logo. They said they liked the color scheme but wanted something more modern. Using my knowledge of design principles, I created several different logos using those criteria. Then, I asked them which ones they liked best. After some discussion, we decided on one and implemented it into their branding.”

14. What is the relationship between imagination and creativity?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the creative process. It also allows you to show how imagination and creativity are connected in your own life.

Example: “Imagination and creativity are two sides of the same coin. Imagination is the ability to create something new, while creativity is the act of making that idea into reality. In my experience, I’ve found that people who have an active imagination tend to be more creative than those who don’t. This is because they can use their imaginations to come up with unique ideas for projects or solutions to problems.”

15. Are there certain personality types that tend to be more creative than others?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have a background in psychology or human behavior. They want to know that you can apply your knowledge of personality types and how they affect creativity to the workplace. In your answer, explain which personality types are more likely to be creative and why.

Example: “There is no one personality type that’s more creative than others. However, I do believe there are certain traits that make some people more creative than others. For example, extroverts tend to be more creative because they’re able to think outside the box better than introverts. People who are open-minded and willing to try new things also tend to be more creative. This is because they’re not afraid to take risks and experiment with different ideas.”

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Creative Thinking Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your next job interview, here are 15 interview questions focused on your creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Question 1 of 15

When have you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem?

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Answer example.

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Talk to the interviewer about a time you had to solve a problem creatively. Your answer doesn't have to be an invention or a tremendous break-through you made in your previous role. Any unexpected decision you made will most likely count as a creative solution. Pick a scenario where you were pleased with the outcome.

"In my current position we saw a decrease in clients due to a local economic downturn. I recommended to our head office that we begin to generate business outside of our region for the first time in many years. They agreed, and the idea turned things around for us that fiscal year."

"Last week my computer crashed, and it took IT three hours to recover everything. Feeling lost, I said to myself 'Well, what did they do before computers?' To make the best of my time, I took to the file room and started organizing the physical files."

"I once had to deal with a space issue in our warehouse. We arranged and re-arranged several times and could not make it work. I thought outside the box and rented some outside pod storage until we were back to normal inventory levels."

"Recently we needed to create a mentorship program for a client. By my suggestion, we decided to engage local thought leaders as well as aspiring leaders. This approach benefited the community as a whole, and our client was delighted with the result."

"In retail, a customer will approach you with odd requests from time to time. Recently, I had a customer insist on making a return that wasn't even from our store. They were furious that I would not take the return! It turns out; we were running a promotion where if you spent $50, you received a $25 in-store gift card. I suggested to the customer that they purchase the product, from us, that they initially wanted. They would then receive the $25 in-store gift card, and they could still return the original product to the first store. I turned an angry return to a paying customer!"

"In sales, if you cannot think outside the box, and on the fly, you will not succeed. Recently I had a client who wanted a digital service option thrown in that we did not yet have. It was still in development. To offset his disappointment, I asked him if I could give him three months of the service for free on a trial basis, to help us work out the kinks, would he then be happy. He was thrilled, and we had a real-life test subject."

"As a teacher, I often have to think of alternate ways to teach a lesson when some kids aren't picking up the content. I will always have multi-media resources available for my students to support their learning such as educational computer games and interactive online worksheets."

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15 Creative Thinking Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Creative Thinking interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

1. When have you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem?

Anonymous interview answers with professional feedback, 2. what is the most creative or innovative project you have worked on.

We all have the opportunity to perform a creative task, whether we realize it or not. Perhaps you were a receptionist at our previous job, and you creatively organized the company's front desk by using color-coded folders. If you were an accountant, talk about how you restructured the workflow for a client and how it saved you hours of work on their audit.

"My previous employer wanted to think of ways to generate more attention online and gather a stronger following and more brand recognition. I started an e-newsletter that, after just six months, had over 30,000 subscribers. It was a great success."

"I once worked in an office where a primary goal was to reduce our environmental footprint. It was a lot of fun to find new ways to help the environment, and we ended up cutting some costs as well."

"Recently I implemented a 'late fund' because my team was consistently running behind. We had a jar, and you had to put $1 in the pot for every minute you were tardy. At the end of the month, I chose a charity to donate the money too. It was lighthearted, but it made my team more aware of their timing and that being late to work, and essential meetings affected everyone."

"I recently worked on a team to create a website for a global powerhouse organization. We sought to find gaps in communications across the organization and bridge those gaps through the new online tool. We were able to shape the structure and make it our own as we saw necessary to fit the needs of the business."

"I had the opportunity to join a focus group, initiated by my current company's head office. We had the opportunity to voice our opinion on upcoming lines, colors, and pricing. It was such a great experience, and it made me want to become a buyer, down the road."

"I recently worked on the launch of a new product that has never been in our market before. The sales team worked alongside the marketing team, and we collaborated more than ever before. I came to appreciate the work that a marketing team does, and got a bit of an itch myself for writing sales copy!"

"Luckily for me, I have the opportunity to work with children every day. The minds of these children are so active that you cannot help but be driven to create. Currently, we are using our knowledge of ratios, base, area, and perimeter to make a model scale of our town. I found the idea on YouTube and think it's the most hands-on, creative project that I have had my students participate in so far."

3. When have you taken an existing process and used your own creativity to make it better?

Are you given the creative freedom to improve existing processes? Talk to the interviewer about your ability to take an existing process and develop it creatively. If you do not have a work-related example, think back to your time in school.

"Last month my supervisor asked me to take our existing sales training package and improve it. My goal was to make the system more engaging for recruits. Once we implemented my ideas, we increased our new trainee retention rate by 16%. I was quite proud of what my creativity could do!"

"I do not go into a position looking to make changes for the sake of change but, as an executive assistant, I do monitor processes and look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Recently I switched us to Google calendar so that we could more easily share our time and availability. It was a small tweak, but it changed the game for the executive and me."

"There are so many great business practices out there that there is not always a need to reinvent the wheel. I took a "touch base" practice we used to get a pulse of the team and customized it for a field-based corporate sales group to build better relationships with them. It has been effective and fun!"

"In marketing, we are always changing processes. I recently changed our morning storyboarding sessions to be verbal downloads where we could talk about our weekends, what the highlights were, and why. I find that my team can be even more creative when they feel a connection with each other. They are less inhibited."

"We used to have a 'returns binder' where we had to track all customer returns by hand and then fax the sheet to the head office every Saturday. I felt it was an ancient process so I created Google form that we could email instead. The process was so helpful that my head office incorporated it into every store."

"In sales, very few processes are evergreen so great sales professionals are often looking for ways to make a sale happen faster, smoother, or better. I decided to move my call tracking sheet to my phone and download it into Evernote so that I had it with me, even when I wasn't in the office. If I am stuck at a red light, I will try to handsfree call a client from the list. There is no waking opportunity that I want to miss!"

"The math textbook provided to me to work out of when I started teaching in this district was incredibly outdated. The photos were from the 1980's and the language used were examples that kids these day's didn't understand. I mean, what is a typewriter, right?! I found an excellent online resource where I could use free worksheets and popular videos. The kids respond much better to this tool."

4. Tell me about a time when you created a unique idea or solution, and it was rejected by your colleagues. How were you able to bounce back?

The interviewer would like to know how you handle rejection when you present a solution at work. Putting yourself out there with new ideas can be intimidating, and we all want to be accepted. Talk to the interviewer about how you would handle the feelings that come with having your opinion rejected.

"A couple of years ago I made a recommendation for scheduling that would have included some split shifts. The result was less overtime and reduced expenses for the company. My colleagues were unhappy with the idea of split shifts. I was able to see their perspective which made it much easier to bounce back from the rejection. My overall attitude is, you win some - you lose some!"

"I recently asked my boss if we could implement a couple of workplace planning tools that would make it easier for myself to connect with the cross-departmental teams. I was already familiar with the tool, from using in a previous role. However, my boss prefers to run the business very lean and does not want to spend any money. It was unfortunate, but I understand that some people simply like things how they are."

"I am often creating unique solutions or ideas in the workplace. Last year we launched an employee satisfaction survey. After reading the results, it was clear to me the work that needed to take place. We needed to train our associates better, and further equip our leaders with best practices to ensure their team's success. I suggested implementing them right away. Leadership rejected the ideas citing they wanted them to keep process simple. We did end up implementing some of the ideas over time. It was a learning experience for me on how to better gain buy-in from my peers before introducing new ideas."

"At times I will have funny slogan ideas that I think we could incorporate into a project. I keep a little notebook full of weird ideas. Some of them stick, and some of them do not. This life is one of a marketing professional!"

"I once requested a 'suggestion box' when we experienced high turnover and employee morale issues. Ironically, management rejected my suggestion. The leadership team thought it would just turn into a complaint box. I was disappointed, but I did not let that deter me from continuing in my pursuit to help find a solution to our turnover issue. Instead, I verbally checked in with the employees, creating a safe place for them to provide feedback and suggestions."

"I asked my boss if we could change the sales script slightly, as some of the wording was outdated. Unfortunately, he was offended, since he wrote the script....twenty years ago. I didn't take it to heart, as he's a bit old school; however, I am hoping that he will let the idea simmer and revisit it at a later time."

"Hoping to take my class to the museum to see a recent art installation I recently put in a request for a class field trip. The principal felt that the school could not justify the cost compared to the learning opportunity. I was disappointed because I knew it would be an excellent experience for the students. As a workaround, I sent a memo to the parents notifying them of this new exhibition, and how it related to our current social studies topic, in the hopes, they would take their children on the weekend."

5. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?

The interviewer would like to know how you express your creativity, outside of the workplace. A genuinely creative minded person will have outside activities aside from what's happening in the workplace. Tell the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you express your creativity.

"Outside of work I like to attend dance classes and I also attend the odd paint and sip wine nights at a local wine shop. I also enjoy reading as a way of nurturing my creative side."

"As an avid reader, I also explore writing. Cooking is also art for me, and I try to incorporate creativity into the fun meals I prepare for family and friends."

"It's important to me that I do something creative a few times a week so that my interests are vast and not only work-related. I am currently teaching myself PhotoShop. Primarily to put my friends' heads on hilarious photos but either way, it makes me laugh, and I love it."

"Outside of work I love to explore my creative side. I practice photography for fun and take painting and sculpting classes. I do love the arts."

"I am huge into fashion and recently started a fashion page on Instagram. I curate new outfits and create fun fashion-inspired flat lays."

"I have a lot of energy, so I like to bring out my creative side on the weekends by attending local art events, going to the theater, or trying a new paint and sip class."

"I play the violin in a community orchestra and teach private lessons to local kids. This activity is one I have participated in for the past four years."

6. When have you created a new product or service?

Using your creative mind, have you ever introduced an employer to a new product or service opportunity? Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have created a new product or service. If you have not created a new product or service, perhaps you have had a great idea that you presented. You can use an example from school as well if you have just started your career.

"In my previous role I was fortunate enough to introduce my company to the idea of a gold level service where, in addition to our general customer service, we added on additional options. Our customer base responded very positively, and we kept the program running for a few years."

"I am newer to my career as an administrative assistant and have not yet found myself comfortable enough to offer a new service idea. I am creative minded, though! As an avid nature lover and lover of cooking, I was tired of carrying all of my cooking tools and equipment in and out of camping sites. I created a Camping Kitchen Kit to hold cooking and serving for up to six people. It is an easy to carry bag that makes life much easier!"

"I created a new service manual for our team, in PDF form, which had infographic styling. Making it easy to read meant that my production team paid better attention to the content inside. I am now working on a manual for our QA team."

"I create new services and product ideas every day! As a content marketer, my brain never sleeps. I am always generating ideas to use now, or in the future."

"I created a Facebook group recently, geared solely to swap clothing. It's a closed group for those interested in specific brands. So far we have over 200 local members!"

"Growing up, a lot of my neighbors had pets. I started a neighborhood dog walking, sitting, and vacation service in high school. It was highly lucrative in the summer. I made some money and helped my neighbors enjoy their vacations. I think this was when my parent knew I was gearing up for a career in sales come adulthood!"

"I recently created a Twitter account for my class so that parents could follow along with us throughout the day, and interact with their kids. We post funny pictures, tweet shout-outs to the parents, and ask questions to educational influencers. It's been a great way to blend education with technology. The kids love it."

7. Would you consider yourself a creative person?

Talk to the interviewer about any interest that you have in creative activities and how you have implemented your creative desires in the workplace. Even if you do not consider yourself to be a 'creative person,' there is a significant change that you have made creative minded decisions in your career.

"I do consider myself to be a creative individual. One example of this would be the telephone sales scripts that I crafted for our inside sales team. They were lively and effective, and sales increased by 23% in the first 90 days of implementation."

"I am someone who alternates back and forth with the right/left brain, but I will always consider myself a very creative person. I admire the creativity and unconventional thinking in business and arts."

"That's an interesting question for me because I have never considered myself creative in the traditional sense of being artistic. I am, however, a very creative individual when it comes to new ways to motivate my team."

"I consider myself creative! I have had a flair for the arts and thinking outside of the box, ever since I was a child. My mother says I danced before I could walk and I always loved to take on new creative projects."

"Having been a musician all my life, I do believe that I am a creative person. I grew up playing the piano and still practice a couple of times per week."

"I am creative in the sense that I am great at seeing all sides of a negotiation, I can use creativity to close a deal, and I am a solid writer. With that said, give me a paintbrush, and I will have no idea what to do. I suppose creativity comes in all forms!"

"Yes, I do consider myself to be a creative individual. I will often work with my students on hands-on projects. I believe in the use of multi-media to teach, and learn."

8. What ideas have you created in the last year that benefited your current or former employer?

The interviewer would like to know if your creative side has benefitted your employer in any way. Talk to the interviewer about a recent time when you have helped your employer through your creative thinking.

"This past year I have benefited my current employer through my creation of a new sales training program for our sales trainees. It simplified the process and made it much easier to teach our new staff."

"I made a couple of recommendations on planning and organizational apps that we have recently incorporated. Most notable were the use of Google Docs and Trello."

"I'm a creator by nature and constantly thinking up new ways to benefit the organization and improve processes. Most recently, I saw a gap in the new hire training and created a practice to teach new team members the information they need to be equipped and successful on the job. We continue to build upon it with training materials and incorporation of top talent into the program as mentors."

"We had a large client who was not loving the marketing plan that our team presented. One weekend it just hit me that they needed a clean, simple brand strategy that spoke to their millennial audience. I storyboarded my ideas and presented them on Monday to my team. We collectively tweaked areas and presented it the following week. The client loved the new strategy."

"I suggested to my employer that we change our inventory system from Excel to a cloud-based program like AssetPanda. We are currently doing some recon to see what programs are most useful and affordable."

"I recommended to my employer that we begin switching to electric company cars as part of our mandate to help the environment. Many of our clients are very involved in environmental sustainability, so it just made sense for us. Soon, we will be replacing all of our company trucks with the Nissan Leaf. It will help our brand but also eliminate the need to give gas cards to all of our territory sales reps."

"This year I incorporated a morning fitness option for students who wanted to become more active. With kids getting so much screen time these days it is important to me that they take the time, every day, to move. Kids have the option of coming to school 20 minutes early every day. I lead them in a variety of stretches, and then we play fun games like dodgeball, soccer, and flag football."

9. Tell me about a project you worked on where a conventional approach was not suitable.

The interviewer would like to know about a particular project you have worked on where your creativity was required. How have you implemented creativity in the workplace when a conventional approach was not suitable? Display for the hiring manager how you can think outside of the box when necessary.

"In 2009 our economy suffered, and a lot of businesses were struggling to keep their doors open. At that time, a conventional approach was to take out additional ads on the radio or TV. Social media was starting to become a major advertising outlet - and it was free. I launched a social media campaign that was very successful. We were able to generate new and repeat business while coming in under our advertising budget."

"As an executive assistant, I often have to pull strings, ask for favors, and assume that no is never an answer that I should take. I will bargain with vendors and come up with highly creative solutions at times to make a plan come together. I love the fast pace of it all and the challenge that comes with supporting a high-level executive."

"I recently worked on a project that was ahead of its time and federal guidelines. If you want to achieve something you never have before, you have to do something you have never done. We took an unconventional approach to federal research and licensing technology through the Office of Technology Transfer in a way never done before. It was a necessary step to achieve the bigger picture."

"I was on a marketing team where we had to alter our processes to meet our customer's environmental impact challenge. We had to completely change the way we built their advertising plan, keeping zero waste in mind. It was a fun challenge where our entire campaign was digital."

"Our company has ten stores total. Head office announced a merchandising contest where we all had to come up with a theme and execute it, in the shop front window. Our team decided to take a very unconventional approach and gained inspiration from Anthropologie's memorable store experiences. Our eclectic style won and we all earned a $50 in-store credit, along with bragging rights."

"A conventional approach is rarely suitable for sales - ever! I love to come up with new ways to get my weekly calls in, and I create new phone scripts for myself to keep things interesting for myself and my clients. The original sales scripts provided to me were not effective or creative, so I chose to make my own."

"I often have to work around very tight budgets where a conventional approach is not even an option. When we need supplies, I will ask the parents if they have items they can donate to the school. I will partner with local businesses to see if they have any items they could donate. And, my friend who owns a bookstore has committed to donating five new children's books per month. It makes for great collaboration and networking in the community."

10. How do you like to encourage ideas in others?

The interviewer would like to know how you have encouraged others to think creatively. Encouragement to others is a great skill to possess. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to promote creative ideas in your team members. Here are some ways that you can encourage ideas in others: - Get to know them and what they like to work on - Send an encouraging email letting them know you like their plan or ideas - Publicly praise their efforts - If they are doing a great job, offer them more related opportunities - If you are a leader, then tell them that you like their ideas - Say things like 'Well done' or 'Nice work' on a regular basis - Show that you believe in their quality of work before they even deliver it

"I like to encourage ideas in others by sending them nice emails. I am not one to publicly praise someone, primarily because that would embarrass me, but I will send them a quick note of encouragement."

"I like to encourage other people to be creative in their thinking and present ideas to the company, no matter how off the wall they may seem. Some of our most successful employees are ones who are confident in their ability to bring forward their unique ideas. I encourage participation through an open door policy and strong praise for those who show initiative."

"I try to leave crumbs of knowledge and ideas around the office. You know - things that inspire me like magazines, articles, photographs, and even certain music. These are all great ways to spark conversations and get my marketing team thinking."

"When I hire new people for our sales floor or a new cashier, I will heavily encourage them as they are training through kind words. It's amazing how much confidence you can infuse into a new trainee simply by saying "wow, you are learning so fast!" or "I have yet to train someone who catches on as quickly as you."

"I encourage my sales representatives to tap into the best parts of themselves. It helps to ask probing questions to get them to generate ideas on their own. I have found that by painting a long-term vision for where I want to go, my team will often jump in with creative solutions to get us there."

"As a teacher, I have found that by showing my belief in their quality of work before they even deliver it, my students go into a project much more confident."

11. How often do you discuss work with your colleagues in order to think up new systems and styles of working?

The interviewer would like to know if you discuss creative ideas with your coworkers. Do you use your creative mind with your colleagues to discuss plans and systems in the workplace? Talk to the interviewer about how you have used creative thinking in the workplace.

"I have a policy with my team that if they have an innovative and helpful idea they can bring it to me at any time. If the idea or system is something that I think could work, we then create a plan together to present it to our head office. This policy has generated some powerful ideas in our office over the past three years including a work-share program and some health and safety initiatives."

"I think it is important to discuss work with colleagues in a collaborative nature to encourage all types of ideas to come forth. Often, when people put their heads together, they will create something better than something one individual could have done alone."

"I communicate with my coworkers, subordinates, and supervisor daily. We may not always think up new ideas, but we often discuss "what-if" scenarios."

"My current environment is a collaborative one 99% of the time. Our offices do not have walls, and we often eat lunch together in the boardroom."

"The company which I work for does not have wiggle room for new ideas, or working styles. We are very much mandated to follow scripts and policy to a tee. Our team often wonders how we can better implement certain policies; however, we rarely discuss these as they are not well-received by the head office. I look forward to working in a more receptive environment soon."

"My team collaborates all the time! When one of us closes a huge sale, we send an email to the entire team to let them know how we do it. We can all learn from each other's work methods which are encouraging and helpful."

"Each year at Teacher's Convention we spend two full days learning and attending workshops. I find that after these conventions, myself and my faculty have a new sense of excitement for our jobs and educational styling. This time of year is when we collaborate the most."

12. When have you used an inventive method to stretch company resources beyond the normal level?

The interviewer would like to know about a time when you were creative with company resources. If you have an expense account or resource allowance, it is very respectful to the company to be as thoughtful with that allowance as possible. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have been able to stretch company resources.

"I have recently implemented a schedule that allows for ride-sharing rewards which have cut down on our company's fuel expense by $9000 per month. I am quite proud of this initiative because it is not only financially responsible but also environmentally friendly."

"This is a practice I often utilize to maximize company resources and optimize value to the clients. I recycle a lot of company materials to make the most of our resources. I also do this with people regarding cross-training and sharing understanding across departments."

"In my previous role as floor manager, I saw that we were leaving a lot of "extra" material on the first cut and trimming it later. This method caused a lot of scraps. I implemented a new measurement tool for cutting material more accurately the first time."

"We have many clients who are on a budget. For that reason, I have created an e-guide called "How to Market on Zero Dollars." It's a guide they can follow, with some actionable advice they can implement on their own. It also saves my agency time because we put the onus on our clients to follow these steps on their own."

"I recommended to our head office that we swap from paper bags to cloth bags that we sell. Just like a grocery store, we now offer large canvas totes for $2. They have great designs and are reusable, multi-purpose bags. Some clients complain, but overall, most people love it! This action saved our company $50,000 this year, and we are doing our part for the planet."

"I have started to keep all of my client data in the cloud so that I can access it on my iPad. I have also created fillable PDF's, downloaded DocuSign, and other apps that save me from having to print long forms and documents. It has saved our company money, and I encourage my fellow reps to do the same."

"As you know, public schools do not have a lot of extra funding. One Saturday per month go to the local used bookstore for donations. They now set books aside for me - perhaps books that are not sell-able or repeats on the shelf. It has been a great way to build our library for free. In exchange, I always let our parents know in the e-newsletter, that this bookstore is the place to go for their literary needs as they support literacy for our students."

13. When did you come up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company, class, or organization was facing?

With this question, the interviewer is looking at your thought process and your level of logic. Begin by discussing the problem you were trying to solve. Next, consider the data set you used to analyze the problem. Lastly, talk about the recommendation you gave, and the positive outcome of your suggestion.

"I was asked to assess which available project management applications were best for our business. My boss wanted me to narrow it down to three potential purchases, using parameters such as cost, ease of user interface, and customer reviews. I was able to narrow things down for him within two days' time and presented my findings. He went with my #1 recommendation which felt great."

"Our company was not communicating important information effectively to our second and third shift operations. I obtained approval to hang televisions in various places which we connected to a secure computer where I could input all announcements for everyone to see."

"I recently wrapped up an organizational effectiveness survey with my team. I analyzed the results by leader, location, and department then came up with recommendations of how the company can improve trouble areas."

"Bounce rates for our website were at 65%, meaning visitors would visit the blog, but 65% of them would only stay on the page they landed on. I had to analyze their behavior. I found that 80% of visitors never scrolled down to view the rest of the content on the homepage. By analyzing that data, I knew a problem existed at the top of the page. I made a recommendation to the web design team to remove 50% of the graphics and text. This change enticed our visitors to scroll down to view the rest of the content. By removing the clutter, our bounce rate dropped by 15 percent."

"As simple as it sounds, I figured out a better way to distribute breaks across the department. Somehow it had become that the newest hire had to go last, or whenever the more seasoned employees hadn't called "dibs," which is unfair and silly. Now, breaks are on a sliding scale of sales in the previous week. Whoever has the highest % to quota, gets first dibs for the week of when they take their break. This method not only makes it fair for all, but it improves productivity as well."

"Our sales development managers were having a high no-show rate of about 65% for their appointments set across the board. I developed copy for an email template that was sent the day before the meeting. This email was a meeting reminder, but more importantly, it included the "why" of it. Why did they agree to the meeting in the first place? How would we make their life easier? And what was the upside for them? After a month of using the templates, the no-show rate dropped to 42%."

"I bought myself a cart to travel from class to class. Sounds silly and rudimentary, but it's super effective. When the school population grew, they needed my classroom for a core subject, so I've been running from class to class teaching lessons all over the school. The cart has been great. I load up what I need for that grade and zip between classrooms. Other teachers that have lost their classrooms have also started using this method."

14. What does the word 'innovation' mean to you?

The term 'innovation' is often overused in business these days and has now become a buzzword that many people don't fully understand. The interviewer would like to know what you feel innovation indeed is. Include an example of a time when you have witnessed an innovative change in the workplace, or when you have exercised creativity.

"To me, innovation means presenting a new idea or making an existing idea better. It's important to be innovative in the workplace, but often it's a misunderstood concept. An example of when I was innovative was when our company was facing budget cuts. I suggested that we begin to operate as though the cuts were already made, in an attempt to preemptively save funds. The concept worked well, and we were able to eliminate many unnecessary expenditures."

"Innovation means introducing a new process, or breakthrough in the workplace. A time when I have been innovative was when I built a new tracking system in our company's CRM. I wanted to create a more accurate way to track projects with a simple option for our sales team to update the project stage. The owner of the company loved my creation, and now it's implemented company-wide."

"I encourage my team to be innovative by asking the impossible of themselves, and their coworkers. We will get together once per week and bring up situations that we think are out of our scope and then reverse engineer these ideas to see how we could go about putting them into action. To me, this is being innovative in the workplace."

"This year I introduced a virtual idea box to my agency, as a way to encourage creative ideas from our employees and freelancers. This initiative is a concept that we have now introduced to our clients. This 'idea box' allows for anonymous, or named, employees and even clients to give their two cents without feeling the pressure of brainstorm meetings. To me, innovation can mean taking existing ideas and transforming them to make them work for today's digital age."

"The store where I currently work had a lot of trouble with selling add-on products. I did some research and learned how to better merchandise for our store layout. From there, I made a presentation to the owners to show how we could better position the products and encourage add-on items near the checkout. This merchandising idea is not a new concept; however, I altered it slightly to be a concept that would interest the store owners and still work with their design concept."

"I believe there are many opportunities to be innovative in a sales environment. To me, innovation is transforming a concept or introducing a breakthrough. Last year I introduced new types of sales scripts that incorporated NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, concepts. The scripts were well-received by the leaders in my organization."

"In my classroom, I introduced the 'innovation awards' for my students. We take the science concepts that we have learned through the year and then host a competition. The kids can have their ideas and run with them. I believe that innovation is the conceptualization of new ideas and revolutions, all of which are important to encourage in students."

15. How can we inspire your creative side?

If an interviewer asks you any questions related to how they can help you, then you should rejoice! Companies who ask potential employees what they can do for them, are often a flatter organizational structure and often fabulous companies to join. Think of a time when your creative juices were flowing. What were the surroundings, or which resources were available to you? Be sure to thank the interviewer for a question related to your needs!

"I appreciate your concern for my needs! The best way to inspire my creative side is to provide me with the space that I need to work. I come up with my best ideas when I can brainstorm and work through my ideas on paper, or on my computer."

"I appreciate you asking this question! I tend to concentrate heavily on my work, and sometimes I forget to take breaks. If you can encourage me to take my breaks to refresh my mind, I can create some excellent and creative work!"

"It's great that you are concerned with the creativity of your employees. I encourage creativity in my team by asking them to bring me their ideas - fun, weird, challenging, and clever. All of them! If you can do the same for me, that is when I am at my creative best."

"Thank you for asking! For me, a flexible work schedule and a moveable workspace are all factors that allow me to be at my most creative. For instance, in my current role, we can start late and stay late, or come in early to have a quiet coffee and get our day going. Also, I am not chained to one specific desk. Our workspaces flow all throughout the office."

"I love to exercise my creativity, so - thank you for asking! I am at my best, creatively speaking when a team mentality is encouraged. This mentality could mean group huddles at the beginning of the day, group coffee breaks, or after-work drinks."

"I am my most creative when I have the resources that I need to get my job done. These resources could mean technological, or even access to a mentor, and continued education opportunities. Thanks for asking! I highly value creative ideas in the workplace."

"I realize that the public school system has limited resources; however, one of the best ways that I get my creativity flowing is through mixed media and other visual aids. I like to introduce these aids into my classroom for my students and encourage their creativity, in return."

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Top 15 Creative Analytical Thinking Interview Questions

Discover the power of creativity with our insightful blog on Creative Thinking Interview Questions. Uncover the essential techniques and sample questions to assess a candidate's innovative prowess. Elevate your hiring process with these strategies to find the perfect fit for your creative team. Explore the world of Creative Thinking Interview Questions with us today.

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Table o f Contents  

1) Basic Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers 

2)  Intermediate Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers 

3)  Advanced Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers 

4)  Tips to ace your Creative Thinking interview 

5) Conclusi on 

Basic Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers    

This blog section will expand on some basic Creative Thinking Interview Questions as well as the answers you will be expected to provide. 

Q1) How would you approach a situation where a project you're working on hits a roadblock and progress seems to have stalled?  

Answer: Your response could take the form of: “In such a scenario, I would encourage a collaborative brainstorming session with team members. By soliciting diverse perspectives, we can identify the root cause of the roadblock and explore alternative solutions. This approach not only fosters creativity but also promotes teamwork and problem-solving.” 

Q2) Can you provide an example of a time when you suggested an innovative idea to improve an existing process in your previous ro le?  

Answer: Feel free to provide your answer as: “In a previous position, I noticed inefficiencies in our customer onboarding process. I proposed implementing an automated workflow system that streamlined tasks, reduced errors, and improved customer satisfaction. This creative solution resulted in time and cost savings for the company.” 

Q3) How do you ensure that your creative ideas align with the goals and values of the organisation ?  

Answer: Your reply might follow the structure of: “When generating creative ideas, I always keep the organisation's mission, values, and objectives in mind. This ensures that my suggestions are not only innovative but also relevant and meaningful to the company's overall strategy. Alignment with the organisation's goals is crucial for successful implementation.” 

Q4) Describe a scenario where you had to think "outside the box" to overcome a challenging problem at work.  

Answer: You could shape your answer along the lines of: “In a project where we were facing resource shortages, I proposed a collaborative partnership with a complementary company to pool our resources and expertise. This unconventional approach allowed us to deliver the project on time and exceed client expectations while establishing a valuable business relationship.” 

Q5) How do you stay inspired and maintain a fresh perspective when working on long-term projects?  

Answer: Your response could take the form of: “I believe in continuous learning and exposure to different industries and disciplines. To stay inspired, I regularly attend seminars, read relevant literature, and engage in creative hobbies. This broadens my perspective and introduces fresh ideas that I can apply to my projects, ensuring ongoing innovation.” 

Unlock your creative potential and enhance your analytical thinking skills with our comprehensive Creative and Analytical Thinking Training !  

Intermediate Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers    

This blog section  will expand on some intermediate-level Creative Thinking Interview Questions as well as the answers you will be expected to provide. 

Q6. Describe a project where you had to devise a unique solution to a recurring problem.  

Answer: Your reply may adopt the style of: “In a previous role, the company faced consistent delays in product deliveries due to transportation issues. The solution involved partnering with a local distribution centre to establish a satellite warehouse strategically located near high-demand areas. This innovative approach significantly reduced delivery times and improved customer satisfaction.” 

Q 7)  How do you approach a situation where conventional methods seem ineffective in achieving the desired outcome?  

Answer: You might consider framing your response as: “When confronted with unyielding challenges, I opt for a lateral thinking approach. This involves examining the problem from multiple angles, looking beyond the obvious solutions, and considering unconventional methods that might yield better results.” 

Q 8)  Provide an example of a time when you successfully integrated seemingly unrelated concepts to develop a creative solution.  

Answer: Your reply might follow the structure of: “During a branding project, I drew inspiration from architectural design principles to reimagine the company's logo. By applying elements of symmetry, balance, and visual hierarchy, the logo conveyed the brand's values in a way that resonated deeply with the target audience.” 

Q 9)   Share an instance where you took the initiative to nurture a culture of innovation within your team or organisation .  

Answer: You might consider framing your response as: “Recognising the need for ongoing creativity, I proposed regular 'Innovation Jam' sessions where team members from various departments could brainstorm together. These sessions not only led to groundbreaking ideas but also encouraged cross-functional collaboration and camaraderie.” 

Q10)  Describe a scenario where you had to present a creative idea to stakeholders who were sceptical about its feasibility.  

Answer: Your response could take the form of: “In a product development pitch, I introduced a bold feature that was initially met with skepticism by senior stakeholders. However, I used data-backed evidence and market trends to support my idea, highlighting its potential impact. Eventually, the stakeholders approved the feature, which became a key differentiator for the product.” 

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Advanced Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers    

This blog section will expand on some advanced Creative Thinking Interview Questions as well as the answers you will be expected to provide. 

Q11)  How would you approach developing a groundbreaking product that addresses an unmet need in the market?    

Answer: You might consider framing your response as: “To create a revolutionary product, I'd begin by conducting thorough market research to identify gaps. Next, I'd assemble a cross-functional team to brainstorm diverse solutions, encouraging them to challenge assumptions. Through iterative prototyping and user feedback, we'd refine the idea and align it with market demands, resulting in an innovative solution.” 

Q 12)  Describe a scenario where you had to merge seemingly unrelated concepts to devise a unique business strategy.    

Answer: Your reply might follow the structure of: “In a strategic planning role, I encountered the challenge of declining sales for a traditional product. Drawing inspiration from the entertainment industry, I suggested transforming the product's packaging into a collectible experience. This innovative crossover enhanced customer engagement and revitalised sales.” 

Q 13)  How would you lead a team to cultivate a culture of continuous innovation within an organisation ?    

Answer: Your reply may adopt the style of: “Fostering an innovative culture requires several steps. Firstly, I'd promote open communication and idea-sharing at all levels. Secondly, I'd allocate time for structured brainstorming sessions and reward creative contributions. Lastly, I'd encourage experimentation by creating a safe space for calculated risk-taking, allowing the team to explore new avenues.” 

Q 14)   Provide an example of how you've utilised divergent and convergent thinking strategies to solve a complex problem.    

Answer: You might consider framing your response as: “In streamlining a logistics network, I employed divergent thinking to generate a variety of potential solutions, considering unconventional options. Following this, I employed convergent thinking to systematically evaluate and select the most viable solution, resulting in a leaner and more efficient distribution system.” 

Q15)  How do you anticipate and prepare for disruptive changes in your industry to stay clear of the competition?    

Answer: Your response could take the form of: “Staying ahead in a dynamic industry requires vigilant horizon scanning. I'd continuously monitor technological advancements, consumer trends, and regulatory shifts. By proactively exploring the potential impacts of these changes, I'd develop contingency plans and innovation strategies to navigate disruptions effectively.” 

Tips to ace your Creative Thinking interview    

2)  Share diverse perspectives: Embrace different viewpoints and discuss collaboration with individuals from various backgrounds.  

3)  E xplain problem-solving: Outline your methodical problem-solving process, highlighting steps from insight to solution.  

4)  Provide tangible examples: Support your answers with real-life instances that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. 

5)  Adapt to change: Illustrate how you've used Creative Thinking to navigate unexpected shifts or challenges. 

6)   Quick hypothetical scenarios: Be prepared to demonstrate your on-the-spot Creative Thinking with hypothetical scenarios. 

7)   Challenge conventions: Display your willingness to think beyond norms and question assumptions.  

8)  Effective communication: Present your creative ideas clearly and confidently, avoiding unnecessary complexity.  

9)  Showcase learning attitude: Express enthusiasm for continuous growth in Creative Thinking skills. 

Conclusion  

To sum it up, mastering the aforementioned Creative Thinking Interview Questions and answers can help you stand out from your competitors in interviews. At the same time, adhering to the mentioned tips will help you prove your creative prowess to your potential employer. Stepping into your next interview armed with these insights will ensure that you give yourself a better chance of being selected! 

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10 unique and creative interview questions to ask candidates

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Why should you ask creative interview questions?

Tips for asking creative interview questions

Creative interview question examples

10 unique interview questions and example answers.

When you only ask candidates common interview questions like, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” you’ll often receive answers that feel scripted and inauthentic. To help you determine if a candidate is right for the role, it’s time for you to refresh your repertoire and add some creative and unique interview questions to the mix. 

To help you determine if a candidate is right for the role, it’s time for you to refresh your repertoire and add some creative interview questions to the mix. 

Asking better questions also helps you stand out as a potential employer. In a tight labor market when in-demand talent is ... in-demand, the questions you ask tell the candidate a lot about what type of company, or hiring manager, you are. They are a powerful signal of what is important and valued and how you work.

A unique interview question like, “What was your best day at work this year?” helps you determine a candidate’s values and accomplishments. At the same time, it prompts them to think on their feet instead of reciting an answer that feels rehearsed. 

Good creative interview questions help hiring managers to find out who a candidate really is, so they can make the best hiring decisions. Of, course, it's even more important when using creative questions to ask the same questions of all of your candidates. 

Let’s explore some examples of creative interview questions and why it’s important to ask them.

Why should you ask creative interview questions? 

To determine whether a job candidate is a good fit for the role and can be additive to the company culture , employers need to ask the right questions . 

Standard interview questions like “ What are your career aspirations? ” or “ Why did you leave your previous job ?” are still an essential part of the interview process. They reveal important information, like whether someone left their employer on good terms. 

Although these questions are valuable, chances are, candidates have answered them more times than they care to admit. As a result, they’ll likely recite a response that they’ve already rehearsed. 

To dig beneath the surface and find out a candidate’s potential, you need to also ask engaging and creative interview questions. These types of questions reveal an individual’s unique personality, thought process, and ability to think on their feet. 

For example, asking an interviewee, “ How do you like to relax after a stressful day? ” reveals how they cope with daily stressors and look after their physical and mental well-being . This information can help you determine whether they’d be a good cultural fit for your organization. 

Creative brain teaser questions reveal a person’s problem-solving skills and ability to articulate solutions under pressure. 

Other creative questions help employees relax so that they can perform better during the interview. A recent survey found that 93% of interviewees have experienced job interview-related anxiety . 

Asking ice breaker questions like, “What was the most fun thing you’ve done this year?” can help relieve anxiety and get candidates to open up more. 

Creative questions are a great way to get honest answers so you can make a better hiring decision. 

Tips for asking creative interview questions 

Before you prepare your own set of creative interview questions, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Avoid asking the wrong questions 

Every person should feel welcome and included in your organization . 

That’s why you should never ask questions that are offensive or discriminatory or make someone feel uncomfortable. These types of questions are usually related to race, sexuality, or politics. You also want to make sure you're asking culture add interview questions — not culture fit questions . 

Tailor them to the job candidate 

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), preparing in advance helps interviewers make sure employment interviews are effective and valid . 

Do some preliminary research on your job candidate, and study their resume before drafting your creative questions. Try to tailor some of them to your candidate’s background and work experience. 

This way, you can strategically use creative questions to learn additional information about particular areas of your employee’s background. 

Have a specific purpose in mind 

Although creative questions can be fun, you shouldn’t use them for your own entertainment. You aren't trying to prove how funny or novel your company is — that will tend to backfire.

Just like other interview questions, they need to have a purpose. 

Whether they reveal a candidate’s integrity or how well they work with other team members , these unique questions should help you make an informed hiring decision. 

So try to avoid questions like “What shows do you watch?” The answer may be interesting to you, but they’re likely not relevant in a job interview. 

There are many different types of creative questions you can ask during a job interview. Let’s take a look at some of these types and when they should be used. 

Icebreaker questions

Warm-up questions are typically asked at the beginning of an interview to ease a candidate’s nerves and help them feel comfortable. This is also a chance for the employer to bond over a shared interest or experience and make a good first impression . 

For example, asking “Where is the next place you’d like to visit and why?” reveals a candidate’s fun side. If that’s somewhere you’ve also been, it’s a good opportunity to find common ground and relate to them on a personal level. 

Other examples of creative icebreaker questions include: 

• What’s the best book you’ve read , and why? 
• What’s the most interesting thing about you that’s not on this resume? 

Company culture questions 

These questions can help you determine if a candidate is a good fit for your company’s culture . 

For example, if you have a very team-oriented culture, you’ll want to ask a unique question that will reveal if your candidate values teamwork . 

Asking an unexpected question like, “What would be your strategy for surviving a zombie apocalypse” can reveal if they prefer to work alone or as part of a team. Their answer also provides insight into their strategic thinking and personal logic. 

A few other examples of company culture questions are: 

• How do you prefer your success to be recognized at work ? 
• What excites you most about coming to work? 
• If you became the CEO of this company overnight, what’s the first change you’d make? 

Creative thinking questions 

Creativity is one of the most sought-after transferable skills . Creative thinking questions evaluate a candidate’s ability to: 

• Come up with innovative solutions 
• Gain new insights
• Think outside the box 

For instance, companies like Yahoo use the question “What three objects would you bring with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?” to test candidates' creative thinking skills . This question also reveals what a person prioritizes most.

Other questions that reveal a person’s creativity are: 

• If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why?
• If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Creative interview questions engage job candidates and catch them off guard. Some questions reveal their personality, while others test their logic and reasoning skills. 

Here are some unique interview questions and what the candidate’s answers to these questions can reveal. 

1. What’s the best gift you gave someone? 

This icebreaker question reveals your candidate’s personal character and the kind of relationships they have with the people in their lives. 

For example, if they open up and speak fondly about a meaningful gift they gave a loved one, it shows they value interpersonal relationships . 

2. Is it better to submit a project that’s perfect and late, or one that’s good and on time? 

This unconventional question is one that the VP of HR at IMB, Obed Louissaint, liked to ask during interviews. 

Choosing to answer “good and on time” can reveal that a candidate understands the importance of time management and meeting deadlines. At the same time, it shows that they’re confident in their work and don’t spend time worrying if it’s good enough or “perfect.” 

3. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? 

This interview question seems unusual at first, but the answer can reveal a lot about a person.

There’s no right answer. Regardless of the superpower chosen, it’s the candidate’s ability to articulate why they chose it that matters most. It reveals their critical thinking skills . 

4. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

The answer to this question can indicate what qualities and skills your candidate admires in others and tries to emulate. 

Their answers can also reveal a person's core values and what kind of people they like to surround themselves with. If their values align with those of your company’s, the candidate may be a good cultural fit. 

5. How lucky are you, and why? 

Airbnb uses this interview question to determine if a candidate is a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person. 

If a person says they feel lucky and expresses gratitude for the things in their life , they most likely have a positive mental attitude . 

6. Can you explain one concept you know really well to me in under 3 minutes?

If you’re interviewing for a sales role , asking this question is a creative way to test your interviewee’s communication skills .

Their ability to explain in a concise and engaging way is a good indicator of their sales skills and potential. 

7. What fictional character do you identify with the most, and why? 

Asking this question can reveal how a person views themselves and how self-aware they are . 

Someone with a high degree of self-awareness understands their strengths as well as their weaknesses. 

8. What websites do you visit most often and why? 

A person’s favorite websites are a window into who the job candidate is outside the workplace and how they will fit within your company culture. 

How do they choose to spend their downtime? Keeping up with world news or industry trends? Learning a new language? Working on a side hustle?

Depending on their answer, you can follow the question up by asking, “What’s an interesting thing you’ve read or learned there lately?” This ensures their answer is honest. 

9. If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why? 

A candidate’s answer to this question reveals their personality traits and creative thinking skills . 

So if you’re looking for someone who is innovative, you’ll be looking for unconventional, outside-the-box types of answers. 

10 . Tell me about a time you had fun at work. What did it look like? 

If your organization values workplace humor , fun , and social connections , you’ll want to hire someone who fits into that culture. 

If your candidate opens up and has fun with this question, it’s a good indicator they will fit in. That’s as long as their answer is appropriate, of course. 

Use creative interview questions to find the right candidate 

Job candidates have heard the same list of generic questions time and time again. 

Creative interview questions are a breath of fresh air to them and a differentiator for you. 

Asking common questions during the interview is still an essential part of the hiring process. But a few curveball questions help you dig deeper beneath the surface. 

By asking the right creative questions, you can get to know your candidate and their true potential, so you can make a better hiring decision. If you need to evaluate the candidate in action, consider a working interview . 

If you need help asking the right questions and building a thriving workforce, BetterUp can help. Reach out for a custom demo today .

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Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

110 unique interview questions to ask employers and stand out

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13 critical thinking interview questions to use

If you’re looking to fill a position that requires precise and rational decision-making skills, critical thinking interview questions are an essential component in your interview process .

Many hiring managers overlook this veiled job requirement and skill because it’s not always easily assessed. Some candidates have the technical skills and experience but might not have the emotional intelligence or critical thinking skills to succeed.

That’s where interview questions to assess problem-solving skills can come in handy.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is a thought process that allows a person to evaluate and assess information objectively and calculate responses and judgment. Critical thinking can be compared to rash, reactive thought processes which generate immediate and purely emotional responses.

In the workplace, people with critical thinking skills are highly valued as they usually provide rational advice, thought-out solutions, and fair assessments.

It’s tough to establish the level of a candidate’s critical thinking skills unless you specifically look for it during the interview process. Critical thinking interview questions are one of the tools available to hiring managers to gauge how a candidate will handle unpredictable situations that may arise on the job.

Tailored critical thinking interview questions

There are plenty of examples of different types of interview questions available, but your questions must relate to the position and the environment in your company. For example, if the role requires critical decisions on a technical level, the questions must be structured around the relevant skill. If the role requires critical thinking around people (customers or staff), focus on people skills.

There’s a trend to ask brainteaser questions during interviews to measure a candidate’s response, but please don’t go that route. It’s pointless! Asking something like “Jo is one of three children. Her sisters are named May and June. What’s the third child’s name?” is meaningless.

Whether the candidate answers “Jo” correctly or says “probably April” tells you nothing about their critical thinking abilities or anything else.

Apart from potentially making a candidate feel confused and uncomfortable, you could have them questioning how genuine you are.

Plan every step in the recruitment process before the interviews start. If a role needs rational decision-making, a list of critical thinking interview questions must be compiled, preferably by the hiring team rather than just the hiring manager. Collaborative thinking and inclusive staff recruitment allow for different opinions and perspectives of the same role and its requirements.

Ensure that your interview questions are challenging

These questions aren’t intended to be easy. Questions must be thought-provoking. Make the candidate think about how they would respond to and react in specific, tricky situations. You’re not necessarily looking for the right or wrong answers or solutions. Instead, you’re evaluating the candidate’s response rather than skill.

Virtually every department has positions that profoundly impact outcomes for other team members, customers, production, sales, your company brand, etc. Staff who hold these positions require well-developed critical thinking skills.

When compiling your list of interview questions, go way beyond the job skills or experience needed. Analyze what the impact of poor decision making in this role will have on existing staff, customers, your brand, and your business as a whole.

Once you’ve isolated the areas of influence connected to the role, you can start compiling your list of questions. We’re splitting the question examples into technical roles and roles that involve people skills. Your vacancy might be a combination of both. There can never be a template for critical thinking interview questions because each position and company differs, so use these as a guide to inspire you.

Critical thinking interview questions for hard skills

• What would you do if you had a looming project/production deadline, but you didn’t yet have all the information/components to deliver on time?
• If you’ve figured out a quicker or more cost-effective solution to a problem, but your manager doesn’t get what you’re saying, what would you do?
• If there’s a weak link in your team or supply chain that’s impacting productivity, how would you approach the problem?
• What would you do if a customer or manager was trying to push a project through at the expense of other projects that already have confirmed delivery dates?
• When you’re in a team of specialists, you can easily find differences of opinions on what direction projects should take. How do you find consensus?
• Have you ever had to convince a manager to try out a different solution to solve a problem?

Critical thinking interview questions for soft skills

•  An order hasn’t been delivered to a customer on time, and they’re furious. They want you to cancel the order and close their account immediately. How would you repair the damage and keep the customer?
•  Business has slowed, and you’re in a sales brainstorming session. Someone suggests lowering prices and focusing more on customer satisfaction. What’s your reaction?
•  You have an employee who’s excellent at their job, but is blunt and abrasive with colleagues and that’s causing friction in your department. How do you resolve the matter?
•  You’re in a meeting, and your manager misquotes pricing or a process that can have a significant impact on your department or a project. What do you do?
•  You notice that your manager (or a colleague) is inclined to shift blame and not accept responsibility when under pressure. How do you approach the subject?
• If you had to make a decision based on incomplete information, how would you approach this?
• How would you handle a situation where you and your teammates disagree on how to move forward on a project?

What are you looking for when asking critical thinking interview questions?

You’ll notice that the issues listed above are very broad and there’s no right or wrong answer or outcome.

• What you’re looking for is how the candidate responds. Each question is a hypothetical situation that has the potential to become a big issue if not resolved properly.
• People who have high emotional intelligence and developed critical thinking skills won’t give you any old answer. Faced with a complicated situation, their critical thinking will kick in, and they’ll most likely ask you some questions for more clarity. Don’t be surprised if you get an “mmm, I’ll have to think about that…” response initially — people with developed critical thinking process information before reacting or responding.
• People who don’t ask for more details, and don’t think before responding, likely don’t have developed analytical skills. They’re also more inclined to poor, emotional decision making.

8 benefits of critical thinkers

Critical thinkers who are capable of unbiased and fair judgment all have the following abilities:

• Developed analytical skills: They analyze situations carefully.
• Good reasoning skills: They reason in a logical and fact-based way.
• Solid emotional perception: They can separate truths from lies and point them out.
• Social experience: They conduct further research or fall back on past experiences for reference. They apply known and accepted standards and limit bias.
• Comparative analysis: They distinguish between variances and make comparisons.
• Solution-oriented thinking: They envision a solution and its potential consequences.
• Calculating actions: They quantify their conclusions and take decisive action.
• Creative thinking: They convert the situation from a negative to a positive.

This process may be gradual, developing as a situation evolves, or decisions may be made quickly depending on their skill level. Whether they have to think on their feet or address long-standing problems, people with well-developed critical-thinking skills can face a given situation and resolve it in the best way possible. They also don’t hesitate to make unpopular decisions if it’s in the best interest of the company or people involved.

Use all interview and assessment tools available

For crucial positions, you’ll need more than just a list of critical thinking interview questions to establish if a candidate is a good fit for the role. Psychometric assessments can give you more insight into a candidate’s personality.

Past employment references are also an excellent tool to establish how a candidate has handled pressures in similar situations previously. Past behavior can be a predictor of future behavior, but is not foolproof either. As people mature and environments change, so can their attitude and their aptitude in the workplace.

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Top 20 Critical Thinking Skills Interview Questions & Answers

Master your responses to Critical Thinking Skills related interview questions with our example questions and answers. Boost your chances of landing the job by learning how to effectively communicate your Critical Thinking Skills capabilities.

Critical thinking is the cornerstone of effective decision-making and problem-solving, skills that are highly valued across all professions and industries. As employers increasingly seek candidates who can analyze situations thoroughly, generate innovative solutions, and make reasoned decisions, demonstrating your critical thinking prowess has never been more important.

This article delves into the essence of critical thinking skills: what they are, why they matter, and how to showcase them in various scenarios. We’ll guide you through a series of thought-provoking interview questions specifically designed to assess critical thinking, along with strategies for crafting responses that highlight your analytical acumen and capacity for thoughtful judgment. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming job interview or looking to refine your cognitive toolkit, these insights will help you articulate your critical thinking abilities with clarity and confidence.

Common Critical Thinking Skills Interview Questions

1. how would you differentiate between a strong argument and a weak one in a team meeting.

Discerning between strong and weak arguments showcases an individual’s critical thinking skills and their capacity to engage constructively in team discussions. A candidate who demonstrates this ability can effectively sift through information, identify logical fallacies, and contribute to a culture of reasoned discourse, ultimately driving the team towards sound strategies and solutions.

When responding to this question, focus on illustrating your approach to analyzing the components of an argument: the validity of its premises, the soundness of its reasoning, and the strength of its supporting evidence. Discuss your method for weighing different viewpoints and the criteria you use to judge the argument’s merits. Share an example of a time when you successfully identified a weak argument, how you addressed it, and the outcome of that intervention. This will show that you not only understand the theory behind argument assessment but also apply it effectively in practice.

Example: “ Differentiating between a strong and a weak argument is a critical component of effective decision-making. A strong argument is characterized by its logical consistency, the validity of its premises, and the robustness of its supporting evidence. It should be free of logical fallacies and demonstrate a clear line of reasoning that connects the evidence to the conclusion. In contrast, a weak argument often relies on assumptions that are not substantiated, exhibits logical fallacies, or uses anecdotal evidence that does not adequately support the broader claim.

In practice, I assess the strength of an argument by first identifying its core premises and evaluating their truthfulness and relevance to the issue at hand. I then examine the logical structure to ensure that the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. If the argument includes data or research, I consider the credibility of the sources and the methodology used to gather the evidence. For example, I once identified a weak argument in a team meeting where the conclusion was drawn from a non-representative sample of data. By highlighting this flaw and suggesting a more comprehensive analysis, we were able to revisit the issue and develop a more informed and effective strategy, ultimately leading to a successful project outcome.”

2. Describe a situation where your initial hypothesis was incorrect; how did you adapt?

When it comes to critical thinking, flexibility and adaptability are key, not just the ability to make good initial judgments. This question delves into the candidate’s ability to acknowledge errors, learn from them, and apply new information to achieve a better outcome, which is a vital skill in any dynamic work environment where conditions and data can change rapidly.

When responding, it’s crucial to outline a specific instance that showcases your ability to pivot effectively. Begin by briefly explaining the situation and your initial hypothesis. Then, focus on the process of how you identified the error in your thinking and the steps you took to adjust your approach. Emphasize your openness to feedback and new information, the analytical methods you used to re-evaluate the situation, and the ultimate resolution or improved results that came from your adaptability. This response should convey self-awareness, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a level of humility that’s necessary for growth.

Example: “ In a project aimed at optimizing operational efficiency, my initial hypothesis was that the bottleneck was due to outdated technology. Upon analyzing the data, I expected to find that newer systems would significantly enhance performance. However, after a deep dive into the workflow analytics, I discovered that the real issue was a series of suboptimal processes, not the technology itself.

Adapting to this new insight required a shift in strategy. I facilitated a series of workshops with cross-functional teams to map out the existing processes and identify inefficiencies. Utilizing lean management principles, we collaboratively redesigned the workflow, eliminating unnecessary steps and streamlining communication channels. This approach not only resolved the bottleneck without the need for a large investment in new technology but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement among the team. The result was a sustainable increase in productivity and a more agile operation.”

3. What strategies do you employ when encountering information that contradicts your beliefs?

Confronting and scrutinizing one’s own ideas in light of new evidence or perspectives is a crucial aspect of effective critical thinking. This question delves into how a candidate assimilates challenging information, demonstrating their openness to change, ability to think objectively, and willingness to engage in reflective thought—all of which are valuable for innovation and problem-solving in dynamic work environments.

When responding, emphasize your commitment to evidence-based reasoning. Outline a systematic approach: first, you consider the source’s credibility; then, you analyze the new information in the context of existing knowledge. Describe how you weigh the evidence before making a reasoned judgment about whether to revise your beliefs. Provide examples from your experience where you encountered conflicting information, engaged in a thorough analysis, and reached a conclusion that enhanced your understanding or led to a beneficial change in approach. This showcases your capacity for growth and your value as a team member who can navigate complex information landscapes.

Example: “ When encountering information that contradicts my beliefs, my first step is to assess the credibility of the source. I critically evaluate the evidence’s validity, reliability, and relevance. This involves checking for peer review, examining the methodology, and considering the reputation of the source. If the source passes this scrutiny, I proceed to contextualize the new information within the broader framework of existing knowledge. I look for corroborating or conflicting evidence from other reputable sources, and I consider the potential for bias or error in both the new information and my own understanding.

An example of this approach in action was when I encountered a study that challenged prevailing theories in a particular field. Despite my initial skepticism, I delved into the research, scrutinizing the experimental design and statistical analysis. I also sought out expert opinions and additional literature on the topic. This rigorous analysis revealed that the study was indeed a well-conducted piece of research with significant implications. As a result, I revised my beliefs, which not only broadened my perspective but also led to the adoption of new methodologies that proved to be more effective. This experience underscored the importance of remaining open to new evidence and demonstrated my ability to adapt my thinking to incorporate robust, evidence-based insights.”

4. In what ways do you assess the credibility of sources when conducting research?

The integrity of any research endeavor hinges on the ability to discern credible sources from unreliable ones. It showcases an individual’s commitment to accuracy and truth, which is paramount in any role that relies heavily on data analysis, strategic decision-making, or problem-solving. This skill is a testament to one’s intellectual rigor and dedication to maintaining high standards of work.

When responding, outline a systematic approach to evaluating sources, such as checking the author’s credentials, the publication date, the presence of citations, and the reputation of the publication or publisher. Mention the use of cross-referencing with other reputable sources and the importance of peer-reviewed material. It’s also effective to give an example of how you’ve applied these methods in a past project, demonstrating your practical experience with maintaining the quality of your work.

Example: “ When assessing the credibility of sources, I employ a multifaceted approach that begins with evaluating the author’s expertise and qualifications, ensuring they are recognized authorities in their respective fields. I then scrutinize the publication date to ensure the information is current and relevant, especially in fast-evolving disciplines. The presence of citations is crucial as it indicates the research’s foundation and allows for verification of the presented data. Furthermore, the reputation of the publication or publisher is a key consideration; I prioritize sources from established, reputable academic journals and institutions known for their rigorous peer-review processes.

In practice, I cross-reference information across multiple reputable sources to validate consistency and accuracy, placing a higher trust in peer-reviewed material due to its intrinsic scrutiny and academic rigor. For instance, during a recent project, I encountered conflicting data on a critical issue. By applying this systematic approach, I was able to discern that the most reliable information came from a recently published study in a leading scientific journal, which was corroborated by several other peer-reviewed articles. This process not only reinforced the credibility of my research but also provided a solid, defensible foundation for the conclusions drawn.”

5. Share an example of a complex problem you solved through analysis and reasoning.

A methodical approach to tackling complex problems is highly valued in many professions. When faced with intricate issues, the ability to dissect the problem, utilize analytical skills, and apply logical reasoning is essential. This question serves to highlight not only your problem-solving capabilities but also your competence in breaking down a complex situation into manageable parts, prioritizing actions, and making informed decisions based on evidence and sound judgment.

To respond to this question, outline a specific instance where you faced a complicated issue. Walk the interviewer through your thought process, the steps you took to analyze the situation, and how you arrived at a solution. Be sure to emphasize the reasoning behind each decision and the outcome of your actions. It’s important to convey your analytical skills and your ability to remain objective and focused, even when dealing with multifaceted problems.

Example: “ In a project where we were facing a significant discrepancy between projected and actual user engagement metrics, I initiated a root cause analysis to uncover the underlying issues. I began by segmenting the data to identify patterns and anomalies, cross-referencing engagement metrics with user demographics, behaviors, and feedback. Through this granular analysis, I hypothesized that the interface complexity was alienating our less tech-savvy user base.

To test this theory, I designed a controlled A/B test with a simplified interface for one user segment while maintaining the original interface for the control group. The results showed a marked improvement in engagement for the group with the simplified interface. Based on this evidence, I reasoned that reducing complexity would increase overall user engagement. I presented these findings to the team, and we iteratively refined the user interface. This led to a sustained increase in engagement metrics post-implementation, validating the effectiveness of the data-driven approach and the hypothesis.”

6. Outline your process for making decisions under pressure without adequate information.

Making decisions under pressure with incomplete information reflects real-world situations where time-sensitive choices must be made with the best available, albeit limited, data. The capacity to make sound decisions with incomplete information also signals to an employer that a candidate is comfortable with uncertainty and can take initiative, a valuable trait in dynamic and fast-paced work environments.

When responding to this question, outline a clear and methodical process. Begin by explaining how you assess the situation to identify the most critical pieces of information needed. Discuss how you weigh the potential outcomes and risks associated with each option, and describe any mental models or frameworks you use to guide your decision-making. Mention how you consult with relevant stakeholders when possible, and clarify how you ensure accountability for the decisions made. Lastly, emphasize your ability to learn from the outcome, regardless of whether the decision was correct, to improve future decision-making processes.

Example: “ In situations where information is scarce and decisions must be made under pressure, I initiate a triage approach to discern the most critical factors that will influence the outcome. I start by quickly identifying the key objectives and constraints, and then I prioritize the information I do have based on relevance and reliability. Using mental models such as Occam’s Razor to eliminate unlikely scenarios and Pareto’s Principle to focus on the factors that will yield the most significant impact, I map out the potential consequences of various decisions.

After establishing a decision framework, I evaluate the risks associated with each option, considering both short-term and long-term implications. If time permits, I seek input from stakeholders to gain diverse perspectives, which can often illuminate aspects not initially apparent. Once a decision is made, I take ownership of the outcomes, ensuring that there is a clear record of the rationale behind the decision for future accountability. Reflecting on the decision’s effectiveness afterwards is crucial, as it contributes to a feedback loop that refines my decision-making skills for similar high-pressure situations in the future.”

7. When have you had to identify underlying assumptions in a strategic plan, and how did it impact your approach?

Challenging underlying assumptions in a strategic plan requires discerning the foundational beliefs that may not be immediately obvious. Recognizing them allows for a more robust strategy that can withstand scrutiny and adapt to unforeseen challenges. This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to think deeply about strategy, foresee potential pitfalls, and contribute to the development of a more resilient plan.

When responding, it’s important to recount a specific instance where you identified a key assumption that was influencing a strategic direction. Explain the process you used to uncover this assumption and how your discovery led to a change in the plan. Emphasize how your intervention resulted in a more informed decision-making process and potentially averted a costly oversight. Highlight your analytical skills, your attention to detail, and your determination to ensure that strategies are not just taken at face value but are also stress-tested against reality.

Example: “ In a recent strategic planning session, we were evaluating the expansion into a new market, which was underpinned by the assumption that our existing product line would meet the local demand as successfully as in our current markets. Recognizing the potential risk of this assumption, I conducted a thorough market analysis, including customer behavior studies and competitor benchmarking. This revealed that local consumer preferences were significantly different, and our product would require customization to be competitive.

The discovery of this critical assumption prompted a pivot in our strategy. Instead of a direct replication of our existing business model, we integrated a plan for product adaptation and a phased market entry. This approach not only prevented a potential misallocation of resources but also positioned us for a more nuanced and potentially successful market penetration. My insistence on questioning our assumptions and validating them with data was instrumental in crafting a strategy that was both realistic and adaptable to the market realities.”

8. What methods do you use to prioritize conflicting data points during project evaluations?

Sifting through conflicting data points and prioritizing which information drives the decision-making process is a testament to one’s analytical prowess. This question reveals how the candidate distinguishes between the urgent and the important, how they weigh evidence, and their capacity to discern patterns or trends that are not immediately obvious.

When responding to this question, candidates should articulate a structured approach that demonstrates their analytical skills. An effective response might include outlining a step-by-step process of identifying all relevant data points, assessing each piece of data’s validity and reliability, and applying a ranking system to determine which data should take precedence based on the project’s goals and constraints. Candidates should illustrate their answer with a concrete example from their experience, showcasing a scenario where they successfully navigated through a maze of conflicting information to arrive at a well-reasoned conclusion.

Example: “ To prioritize conflicting data points during project evaluations, I employ a systematic approach that begins with identifying the relevance and source of each data point. I assess the validity and reliability of the information by examining the methodology behind the data collection and considering potential biases. I also cross-reference with historical data and industry benchmarks when available.

Once the data’s integrity is established, I apply a weighted ranking system based on the project’s specific objectives and constraints. This involves assigning higher priority to data that is more directly aligned with the strategic goals of the project and the interests of key stakeholders. For example, in a past project evaluation, I was faced with conflicting data regarding potential market expansion. By prioritizing data from sources with a proven track record and aligning it with our strategic growth targets, I was able to recommend an expansion strategy that was both data-driven and aligned with our long-term objectives, ultimately leading to a successful market entry. This methodical approach ensures that decisions are not only based on the most credible data but also tailored to the project’s unique context and goals.”

9. Recall a time you identified a logical fallacy in a colleague’s proposal; how did you address it?

Identifying logical fallacies is a key component of critical thinking, as it assesses a candidate’s ability to think analytically and engage constructively when they encounter flawed arguments. This question also evaluates whether the candidate can maintain professional relationships while challenging ideas, a skill that is crucial for fostering a collaborative environment where truth and efficiency are prioritized over ego.

When responding, it’s important to focus on the method of communication used to address the logical fallacy. Emphasize the respectful and constructive approach taken to discuss the issue with the colleague, ensuring that the critique was about the idea, not the person. Illustrate your capacity for teamwork by explaining how you helped refine the proposal to improve its validity, and share the positive outcome of the discussion, demonstrating the value of your critical thinking in achieving a more robust solution.

Example: “ In a recent team meeting, a colleague presented a proposal based on the correlation between two variables, suggesting a direct causation. I recognized this as a post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy, where the assumption was that since event Y followed event X, event Y must have been caused by event X. To address this, I initiated a one-on-one conversation to avoid putting my colleague on the defensive in front of the team.

During our discussion, I used Socratic questioning to guide my colleague through the thought process, asking for further evidence that could substantiate the causation beyond the observed correlation. This approach facilitated a collaborative examination of the data, leading us to uncover additional variables that were not initially considered. By focusing on the argument’s structure and the evidence at hand, we were able to refine the proposal together, strengthening its logical foundation. The revised proposal was well-received by the team, and the project that ensued was more accurately aligned with the comprehensive data analysis, ultimately leading to a successful outcome.”

10. How do you handle situations where data is ambiguous or incomplete?

Navigating ambiguity and gaps in data requires an individual to apply critical thinking skills to make informed decisions. This also speaks to a candidate’s problem-solving approach, creativity in finding solutions, and their propensity for making data-driven decisions amidst uncertainty.

When responding, it’s important to articulate a structured approach that includes acknowledging the ambiguity, seeking out additional data or resources to fill gaps, consulting with relevant stakeholders or subject matter experts, and employing logical reasoning to arrive at the best possible decision. It’s also beneficial to share a real-life example where you successfully navigated such a situation, detailing the steps taken and the outcome. Demonstrating a willingness to ask the right questions and the tenacity to dig deeper reinforces your value as a critical thinker who can add clarity to complex situations.

Example: “ In situations where data is ambiguous or incomplete, my initial step is to acknowledge the uncertainty and identify the specific areas of ambiguity. I then prioritize these areas based on their potential impact on the decision-making process. Subsequently, I engage in targeted research to gather additional information, which might involve quantitative data collection, qualitative insights, or reaching out to subject matter experts who can provide deeper context.

For instance, in a project where customer feedback data was inconclusive, I spearheaded a focused survey to capture the missing data points and conducted a series of customer interviews to gain qualitative insights. By cross-referencing the quantitative data with the qualitative analysis, I was able to piece together a more coherent understanding of customer needs. This informed our strategy and led to a successful campaign adjustment that resulted in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction. This approach underscores my commitment to not only recognizing and addressing data deficiencies but also leveraging a blend of resources and analytical techniques to resolve ambiguity and inform robust decision-making.”

11. Can you provide an instance where critical feedback led you to change your perspective on an issue?

Being receptive to feedback that challenges your own viewpoints is an integral part of critical thinking. This question delves into a candidate’s humility and adaptability, revealing their willingness to consider other perspectives and use feedback constructively.

When responding, share a specific situation that demonstrates your ability to listen to critical feedback without defensiveness. Outline the feedback received, your initial reaction, and how you processed the information. Then, detail the steps you took to reassess your stance and how this led to a different outcome. This shows your thought process, openness to learning, and ability to pivot based on new information—all valuable traits in any role requiring critical thinking.

Example: “ Certainly. In a project focused on optimizing operational efficiency, I initially advocated for the implementation of a new software system I believed would streamline our processes. After presenting my proposal, I received critical feedback from a colleague who highlighted potential integration issues with our existing legacy systems. My initial reaction was a mix of surprise and skepticism, as I had invested significant time in evaluating the software’s benefits.

Upon reflection, I recognized the validity in my colleague’s concerns and revisited the analysis, this time incorporating a broader scope of technical compatibility. This led me to engage with our IT team to conduct a more thorough assessment. The collaborative effort revealed that while the software had impressive features, it indeed posed substantial risks to our current infrastructure. Consequently, I shifted my perspective and worked on an alternative solution that involved incremental upgrades to our existing systems, which ultimately proved to be more cost-effective and less disruptive to our operations. This experience underscored the importance of embracing critical feedback and reinforced the value of comprehensive evaluation from multiple perspectives in decision-making processes.”

12. What steps do you take to ensure diverse perspectives are considered in your decision-making process?

Incorporating a variety of viewpoints to make informed decisions is a common thread among diverse roles such as teachers, managers, and customer service representatives. It’s not just about avoiding groupthink; it’s about actively seeking out and valuing the rich tapestry of human experience that can dramatically improve the quality of decisions made in any professional context.

When responding to this question, you should articulate a clear, step-by-step approach that demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity. Begin by describing how you actively seek out differing opinions, perhaps by consulting with a varied group of colleagues or stakeholders. Mention any tools or methods, like brainstorming sessions or surveys, that you use to gather diverse perspectives. Then, explain how you evaluate these perspectives, ensuring that you give each the consideration it deserves, and how you integrate them into your final decision. Finally, reflect on a specific instance where this approach led to a successful outcome, highlighting the value of diversity in your thought process.

Example: “ To ensure diverse perspectives are integrated into my decision-making process, I begin by identifying the key stakeholders and experts with varying backgrounds relevant to the decision at hand. I actively seek their insights through structured brainstorming sessions or targeted surveys, ensuring that I am not just hearing the loudest voices but also the nuanced opinions that might otherwise be overlooked.

Once I’ve gathered these perspectives, I utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis to weigh each viewpoint based on its merits, potential impact, and alignment with the strategic goals. This often involves creating a decision matrix that helps in visualizing the trade-offs and synergies between different opinions. In doing so, I am careful to avoid confirmation bias, ensuring that my own preconceptions do not unduly influence the evaluation process.

In one instance, this approach led to the development of a new product feature that addressed an unmet need in a market segment we hadn’t fully considered. By incorporating the diverse insights from both the sales team and the end-users, we were able to design a feature that significantly enhanced user satisfaction and broadened our customer base, demonstrating the tangible benefits of a multifaceted decision-making strategy.”

13. Detail an experience where you used deductive reasoning to arrive at a solution.

Evaluating a candidate’s ability to logically deduce an outcome from given information is the purpose behind questions on deductive reasoning. This skill is vital for roles that require swift and accurate decision-making, and the response can illustrate a candidate’s thought process, attention to detail, and level of expertise.

When responding to this question, candidates should select an example that showcases a well-structured thought process. Start by explaining the situation that required a solution, outlining the known facts or premises. Proceed to describe how you identified the logical sequence that led to your conclusion, ensuring to articulate each step clearly. Finally, share the outcome of your solution and, if possible, any positive impacts it had on the situation. This structured approach demonstrates your critical thinking ability and your competence in applying it effectively.

Example: “ In a project where we were experiencing recurring system failures, I employed deductive reasoning to isolate the cause. The system had multiple components, but the failures were intermittent and not component-specific. I started with the general premise that if all components were failing intermittently, then the issue likely resided in a shared resource or infrastructure.

I systematically evaluated each shared element, starting with the power supply, then network connectivity, and finally the software platform. By deducing that the failures only occurred during peak usage times, I hypothesized that the software platform’s resource allocation was the culprit. Adjusting the configuration to better handle high-load scenarios resolved the issue. This not only eliminated the downtime but also improved overall system performance, leading to a 20% increase in user productivity during peak hours.”

14. In which way do you monitor your own biases when analyzing problems?

Recognizing and controlling for bias ensures that decisions and analyses are not unduly influenced by personal prejudices or preconceptions. Employers seek candidates who are self-aware and can critically evaluate their thought processes to maintain integrity and accuracy in their work.

When responding to this question, it is important to demonstrate self-awareness and a commitment to impartial analysis. Discuss specific strategies you employ, such as seeking out diverse perspectives, relying on data and evidence over assumptions, and regularly reflecting on your thought processes. Provide examples of past situations where you recognized a potential bias and took steps to mitigate its influence on your decision-making. This shows employers that you are not only aware of the importance of unbiased thinking but are also proactive in ensuring it in your professional conduct.

Example: “ When monitoring my own biases during problem analysis, I employ a multi-faceted approach that includes actively seeking out contrary evidence and diverse perspectives. I prioritize data-driven decision-making, ensuring that my conclusions are grounded in evidence rather than preconceived notions. For instance, when faced with a complex issue, I systematically review the available information, deliberately looking for data that challenges my initial hypothesis. This practice helps to counteract confirmation bias and promotes a more balanced understanding of the situation.

Additionally, I regularly engage in reflective practice, analyzing my thought processes and decisions to identify any patterns that may indicate bias. In situations where I’ve recognized the potential for cognitive biases to influence my analysis, I’ve sought out peer review or consulted with colleagues who could provide alternative viewpoints. This not only helps in mitigating personal biases but also enriches the problem-solving process with a broader range of insights, leading to more robust and impartial outcomes.”

15. Describe how you determine the relevance of certain facts over others in a case study.

Distinguishing between what is pertinent and what is peripheral within a case study is an exercise in critical analysis. This skill is essential as it directly impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of problem-solving and decision-making processes.

When responding, highlight your systematic approach to evaluating information. Explain how you identify key issues, weigh the significance of each fact in relation to these issues, and consider the implications of the data on potential outcomes. Illustrate your answer with a specific example from your experience where you successfully determined the relevance of facts to solve a problem or make a decision, thereby demonstrating your analytical prowess in a real-world scenario.

Example: “ In determining the relevance of certain facts over others in a case study, I employ a systematic approach that begins with identifying the core issues at hand. I prioritize facts based on their direct impact on these issues, considering both the short-term and long-term implications of the data. This involves a critical evaluation of each fact’s source, reliability, and its correlation with other pieces of evidence. I also assess the potential consequences of these facts on the decision-making process, ensuring that the most critical information is at the forefront of any analysis.

For instance, when faced with a complex case involving multiple variables, I once identified that a particular set of financial data was pivotal due to its implications on the projected growth of the company. By focusing on the veracity and relevance of this data, I was able to construct a financial model that accurately predicted the company’s trajectory, which was crucial for the strategic decision that followed. This process not only streamlined the decision-making but also provided a clear rationale for the course of action taken, highlighting the significance of discerning relevant facts in a sea of information.”

16. Have you ever encountered a groupthink scenario? How did you respond?

Recognizing the symptoms of groupthink—such as the suppression of dissenting opinions and the illusion of unanimity—and taking action to ensure a diversity of thought is maintained is crucial. This question assesses whether a candidate can strike the delicate balance between teamwork and independent thinking.

When responding, it’s essential to share a specific instance that showcases your awareness of the groupthink situation. Detail how you encouraged open dialogue, invited alternative perspectives, or introduced a devil’s advocate approach to stimulate critical thinking. Emphasize your respect for collective decision-making while also demonstrating your commitment to ensuring all voices were heard and considered before reaching a conclusion. Your answer should reflect your ability to foster an inclusive environment that values each member’s contribution to the team’s success.

Example: “ Yes, I encountered a groupthink scenario during a project where the team was quickly converging on a solution without thoroughly examining potential risks. Recognizing the signs of premature consensus, I intervened by posing critical questions that had not been considered, effectively challenging the prevailing opinion. I suggested a structured brainstorming session where each team member was encouraged to voice dissenting views or potential pitfalls regarding the proposed solution.

To further mitigate the groupthink, I introduced a “red team” exercise, where a subgroup was tasked with identifying flaws in our plan and presenting a counter-argument. This approach not only diversified our perspectives but also uncovered assumptions that had gone unquestioned. By fostering a culture where skepticism was not just tolerated but valued, we were able to refine our strategy and arrive at a more robust, well-vetted conclusion.”

17. What techniques do you apply to forecast potential outcomes and their implications?

Anticipating the consequences of actions and understanding the potential ripple effects on various aspects of a project or decision is an integral part of effective critical thinking. The question assesses whether a candidate can think several steps ahead, rather than just reacting to immediate challenges.

When responding, it’s important to outline specific methodologies such as using SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), scenario planning, or employing probabilistic thinking. Explain how these techniques allow for a comprehensive evaluation of potential scenarios and how you apply them to make informed decisions. Be prepared to provide a real-world example where you successfully anticipated outcomes and navigated the implications, highlighting your analytical skills and foresight.

Example: “ In forecasting potential outcomes and their implications, I employ a combination of scenario planning and probabilistic thinking. Scenario planning allows me to explore various future states by considering different variables and their possible interactions. This method is particularly useful in understanding the broader context and long-term implications of decisions. I complement this with probabilistic thinking to assess the likelihood of each scenario, which involves assigning probabilities to outcomes based on available data and trends.

For instance, I once had to anticipate the impact of regulatory changes in a particular industry. By conducting a SWOT analysis, I identified the strengths that could be leveraged, weaknesses that needed addressing, opportunities for growth, and threats from the competition and regulatory environment. I then developed multiple scenarios ranging from minimal to significant regulatory impact and assigned probabilities to each based on historical precedents and current market sentiments. This approach enabled me to recommend strategic actions that were resilient across a range of possible futures, ultimately leading to a favorable outcome for the project at hand.”

18. Illustrate how you dissect complex information into understandable parts for non-experts.

Translating expertise into accessible knowledge for non-experts is a fundamental skill that demonstrates an ability to bridge the gap between expert and layperson. Employers value this because it ensures that the work you do can be understood and appreciated by a broader audience, which is crucial for collaboration, client relations, and leadership.

When responding to this question, focus on a specific example where you broke down a complex concept. Explain the steps you took to identify the key elements of the information and how you considered the audience’s level of understanding. Describe the methods you used to simplify the content, such as analogies, visuals, or chunking the information into digestible parts. Emphasize how your explanation facilitated better comprehension, decision-making, or problem-solving among those non-experts.

Example: “ In a recent project, I was tasked with explaining the intricacies of a sophisticated data encryption algorithm to a group of stakeholders without technical backgrounds. To make the concept accessible, I first identified the core principles of encryption that were crucial for understanding its importance and functionality. I distilled the algorithm into three main components: the data input, the encryption process, and the secure output.

Using the analogy of a secure lockbox, I related the encryption process to placing a valuable item into a box that could only be opened with a unique key, making the abstract concept more tangible. I supplemented this with simple visuals, illustrating the flow of data through the encryption process, and avoided technical jargon. By breaking the information into these manageable segments and using familiar references, the stakeholders were able to grasp how encryption works and why it is essential for safeguarding sensitive information. This understanding empowered them to make informed decisions about implementing security measures within our organization.”

19. How do you balance quantitative data with qualitative insights in your analyses?

Navigating the interplay between hard numbers and the softer, more nuanced aspects of data interpretation is crucial for a well-rounded analysis. Employers want to ensure that the candidate doesn’t rely solely on numerical data, which might miss the human element of business decisions, nor solely on qualitative insights, which might lack empirical grounding.

To respond, showcase examples from your experience where you’ve effectively integrated both types of data to inform a decision or a strategy. Explain the process of how you evaluate and weigh each type of data, and how you ensure that neither is overlooked. Highlight a specific scenario where this balanced approach led to a successful outcome, demonstrating your ability to synthesize diverse forms of information into actionable insights.

Example: “ In my analyses, I approach quantitative data as the foundational bedrock that offers objective measurement, while I treat qualitative insights as the contextual layer that provides depth and nuance. I employ a triangulation method to ensure that the quantitative data is not only statistically significant but also practically relevant. For instance, when interpreting customer satisfaction scores, I complement the numerical data with customer interviews and feedback to understand the underlying reasons behind the scores.

In a specific scenario, I was tasked with analyzing user engagement metrics for a digital platform. While the quantitative data indicated a decline in average session duration, it was the qualitative user feedback that revealed the interface changes had inadvertently increased cognitive load for users. By integrating these insights, I was able to recommend targeted design adjustments that led to improved engagement metrics in subsequent releases. This balance between numbers and narratives ensures that my analyses lead to actionable and human-centered solutions.”

20. Give an example of how you’ve dealt with conflicting expert opinions when formulating a strategy.

Navigating through informational noise and contradiction to prioritize relevant data and integrate disparate viewpoints into a coherent plan of action is a key aspect of critical thinking. Employers are looking for evidence of the candidate’s analytical prowess, their capacity to remain objective, and the courage to make informed decisions even when the path is not clear-cut.

When responding, start by setting the scene with a brief description of the situation that required a strategy, including the nature of the conflicting opinions. Walk the interviewer through your thought process: how you evaluated the credibility of the sources, weighed the evidence, considered the implications, and sought additional information if necessary. Explain the criteria you used to make your decision and, if applicable, how you communicated your strategy to stakeholders. Conclude with the outcome, reflecting on what you learned from the experience and how it shaped your approach to decision-making.

Example: “ In a project aimed at optimizing operational efficiency, I encountered conflicting recommendations from two leading experts in process optimization and organizational behavior. One advocated for a lean management approach, while the other emphasized the importance of employee engagement and suggested a more inclusive, team-based strategy.

To reconcile these opinions, I first assessed the credibility of each expert by reviewing their past work, consulting with peers, and examining the evidence supporting their claims. I then mapped out the potential impact of both strategies on our specific organizational context, considering factors such as company culture, existing workflows, and employee morale. This analysis revealed that while lean management could offer immediate efficiency gains, a strategy that also incorporated elements of team engagement would likely result in more sustainable improvements and higher staff satisfaction.

The chosen strategy combined lean principles with a strong focus on team involvement, ensuring that efficiency gains did not come at the expense of employee well-being. I communicated this integrated approach to stakeholders by highlighting how it balanced expert insights with our unique organizational needs. The outcome was a 15% increase in operational efficiency coupled with improved employee satisfaction scores. This experience underscored the importance of a nuanced approach to strategy formulation, one that considers both expert opinion and the specific context in which it will be applied.”

Top 20 Logical Reasoning Interview Questions & Answers

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15 critical thinking interview questions to find the perfect candidate

In today’s complex, data-driven world of work, critical thinking skills are more important than ever.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report , the demand for critical thinking and analysis is growing at a faster rate than any other skill group.

For this reason, hiring managers now need a robust system for assessing critical thinking skills for most positions they fill. When we talk about critical thinking, we refer to a range of sub-skills including research, analysis, judgment, problem-solving, and self-reflection.

The interview is a great opportunity to evaluate a candidate’s critical thinking skills. It enables hiring managers to probe into their personal thinking process while tailoring the assessment to the situational needs of the role. 

For the best results, interviews should be preceded by a Critical Thinking test , along with other skills and personality tests. Pre-employment testing allows you to get an in-depth understanding of your candidates’ abilities, identify top talent, and screen out unsuitable applicants.

To make the interview worthwhile, hiring managers need to ask the right kind of critical thinking questions to candidates. But these aren’t always immediately obvious! That’s why we’ve put together 15 of the best critical thinking interview questions for you to use in your hiring process.

These include 10 behavioral and 5 situational critical thinking questions, allowing you to create an interview structure befitting your business requirements. Sample answers for each question are also included for your reference.

Table of contents

10 behavioral critical thinking interview questions, 5 situational critical thinking questions, what kind of roles can you use critical thinking interview questions, finding critical thinkers for your organization can be easier than you think.

Behavioral interview questions usually call on a candidate to discuss their past performance, enabling hiring managers to learn more about their previous experience and its applicability to the role.

When tailored to critical thinking and analysis, behavioral interview questions give you an insight into a candidate’s thinking style as well as specific critical thinking sub-skills, such as: 

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Information processing

Deductive reasoning

Conflict resolution

The 10 behavioral interview questions below span a range of topics; some may be more relevant than others, depending on the role you are recruiting for.

Here are the 10 behavioral critical thinking questions:

How do you go about completing a task without clear information?

What is the most difficult work-related decision you’ve had to make?

How do you process new ideas and approaches?

How do you respond to opposing viewpoints?

How quickly do you make decisions?

Have you ever anticipated a problem before it arose? How did you deal with it?

What work-related advice would you give to former employers?

How often do you ask co-workers for help?

How should friction between team members be dealt with?

What is the most innovative work-related idea you have come up with? How did it benefit the organization?

Continue reading below to view our sample answers for each question.

1. How do you go about completing a task without clear information?

In time-sensitive work environments, workers often have to make decisions without all the necessary information at hand. Answers to this question should demonstrate how candidates use their resourcefulness to perform effectively under given limitations.

Sample answer :

I prefer to make decisions after taking in all of the facts, but I recognize that the need to act quickly will sometimes take priority. In these situations, I pore over all of the information available and use my intuition to fill in any gaps. This could be by drawing parallels to a similar task from the past or predicting future outcomes to map the best decision in the present.

I experienced this situation in my last job while writing a funding application with a very quick turnaround. The final section to complete before submission was the summary, where it was crucial to really sell our organization’s solution in a compelling and straightforward way. 

My manager was unreachable at the time, so I decided to contact the head office to retrieve the summaries of our previous successful funding applications. Using these examples, I was able to craft a persuasive summary. A few weeks later, we were awarded the funding.

2. What is the most difficult work-related decision you’ve had to make?

This question probes into a candidate’s ability to make decisions under pressure. A good answer will evidence a clear thought process and measured judgment to select an appropriate course of action.

As a manager, layoffs were among the toughest decisions I had to make in my previous role. In those situations, I had to put personal loyalties aside and make tough choices based on the needs of the business.

This involved a regimented process of ranking staff across several different criteria including merit, skills, and tenure. Ultimately, we favored staff with long-term potential, such as those with in-demand skills and a growth mindset.

The decisions were far from easy, but recognizing that someone had to make the call, I never shied away from them either. I think the best approach for any difficult work decision is to be objective, consult data, and consider the long-term impact.

3. How do you process new ideas and approaches?

Open-mindedness is central to critical thinking. Candidates shouldn’t be fearful of doing away with traditional methodologies if a superior alternative emerges. Equally, they should exercise their judgment to evaluate the reliability and veracity of new information. 

I always try to be receptive to new ideas, recognizing that these drive innovation in a business. 

If I find that something can be improved, I seek solutions and conduct initial research to ascertain their effectiveness in other business contexts. If I think they have potential, I test them on a small trial basis before deciding whether to implement them on a full scale.

This situation played out in my last role, where I was the leader of a small team. After transitioning to remote work arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic, a team member asked if he could rearrange his hours to accommodate certain family commitments.

The request prompted me to consider the effect of flexible working hours on performance, and I decided to trial a ‘flextime’ system. Within a few weeks, productivity had risen significantly and the team reported greater job satisfaction. Flexible hours quickly became a permanent arrangement.

4. How do you respond to opposing viewpoints?

Critical thinking is contingent on a person’s ability to weigh up both sides of an argument. Even when one course of action is evidently worse than another, candidates should be able to respond to opposing perspectives respectfully and constructively.

I think it’s great to hear different perspectives in the workplace, provided that they come from a well-meaning place. Listening to opposing viewpoints helps to refine my own opinion and can often bring the team to a middle ground from which more balanced decisions can be made.

A few months ago, a co-worker and I disagreed on how best to deliver a digital marketing campaign for a client. In short, he wanted to run paid search engine advertisements while I preferred to create content for the client’s company website.

After listening to his argument, I presented my case to show that content marketing was likely to yield a higher return on investment by showing case studies from previous clients in a similar field. 

Eventually, we agreed to the content strategy, and allocated only a small slice of the budget to paid ads. Within a few weeks, the client had doubled the traffic on their website and was extremely satisfied with our project delivery.

5. How quickly do you make decisions?

In a fast-paced work environment, employees must act swiftly and decisively. This question asks the candidate to expand on their decision-making process. Strong answers will strike a balance between careful consideration and urgency. 

While I like to gather as much information as possible before making a decision, I recognize that deadlines will often make this unrealistic. Sometimes, it’s of vital importance to act quickly to stay ahead of a competitor or fast-track a project.

The first step is to assess the immediacy of the deadline; if it’s urgent, I know I have to make a decision ASAP. In this situation, I’ll quickly weigh up the pros and cons of each option and select the course of action that best aligns with the business goals.

While working in customer service, I routinely had to make on-the-spot decisions to select the best solution in different contexts. I always made sure to get a full picture of the customer’s needs, and then chose the most suitable action from the options available. 

Having a strong background understanding of the area and a clear selection process allowed me to make the right call 99% of the time. 

6. Have you ever anticipated a problem before it arose? How did you deal with it?

This question separates the proactive thinkers from the passive ones. Candidates able to answer this question will be demonstrating their ability to plan ahead and anticipate risks—an invaluable skill in any organization.

Working as a retail store manager at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it immediately became obvious that our store would need to change certain procedures as infections picked up. 

I decided to act quickly, investing in protective equipment for staff, implementing plastic screens at the checkouts, and rearranging the store layout early on in the pandemic to make the site more Covid-friendly for our customers and staff.

Our proactive approach resonated with customers, who appreciated the new measures while other stores in the local area remained slow to adapt. Our trading volume actually rose by around 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Staff also reported feeling safer in our monthly surveys.

It’s important to try and pre-empt risks in any business. To do this, I always consider the worst-case scenario that could affect the business and learn from competitors’ failures.

7. What work-related advice would you give to former employers?

This question gauges a candidate’s propensity to voice criticism, and whether they choose to express it in a constructive or negative way. There’s no real right or wrong answer here; candidates simply need to explain their suggestions thoughtfully and thoroughly.

I’ve always tried to provide feedback to my bosses when it was appropriate to do so. Voicing criticism can be a tricky task, so I make an effort to frame the discussion in a constructive and non-malicious way.

One of my former bosses was particularly strong-willed, which sometimes made it difficult for the team to share new ideas. If we were able to show evidence of the potential of a new idea—using data, for example—he would be less dismissive than if we were to suggest it off the cuff. Over time, the boss grew more receptive to outside ideas rather than immediately shrugging them off.

In another company, some of my co-workers were dissatisfied as they felt undervalued by the boss. Rather than take this up with the boss directly, I raised the issue in the quarterly employee survey, suggesting that the senior leadership give more praise and recognition to high-performing staff in order to improve motivation and employee satisfaction.

8. How often do you ask coworkers for help?

Workers should know when to seek help from others while working on a project. 

A good answer here is all about balance. Candidates shouldn’t burden co-workers with work they could do themselves, nor should they be too stubborn to move things forward with some outside opinion or help.

When I’ve been given a task to complete independently, I try to avoid asking my co-workers for help as I know everyone is busy with their own work. Sometimes, though, it can be really useful to get a fresh pair of eyes to look over things when I’ve hit a wall in a project. Help is a two-way street, so I always try to make time to assist co-workers when I am asked. 

About a year ago in my sales position, I was tasked with integrating invoices into a spreadsheet containing order history for different clients. Software isn’t my strong point, so I sought help from a member of the development team—someone with whom I had built a good rapport previously.

I knew this was something that would probably only take him 15 minutes, so I didn’t feel like too much of a burden when I asked for help. He duly completed the task, and the project could move forward. I had previously helped him before, and I also offered my support for anything he needed in the future.

9. How should friction between team members be dealt with?

Conflict resolution is a skill that can be hard to come by for hiring managers. In work environments with people of different opinions and values, it’s important to have someone who can defuse conflict situations with a proactive, patient, and impartial approach.

When managed properly, I think that workplace disagreements can be healthy and help to promote a diversity of opinion. However, when they become personal, they serve no purpose and must be resolved immediately with fairness and good judgment.

In one of my previous roles as a team leader, conflict flared up between two coworkers after disagreeing on how to allocate the quarterly budget. At the first opportunity, I arranged a one-on-one chat with each colleague to understand their reasoning and try to reconcile both positions.

After the situation had been de-escalated, I brought the two together to talk it out in a calm and non-threatening space. With active listening and turn-taking techniques, they were able to settle their differences. I followed up regularly in the weeks after, and we were able to put the conflict behind us.

10.  What is the most innovative work-related idea you have come up with? How did it benefit the organization?

This question asks candidates to consider a time when they have thought outside the box to deliver a new solution in a previous job. Having proactive problem-solvers in your organization will help it stay ahead of the curve. 

In one of my previous roles, I was placed in charge of a small workgroup tasked with finding a way to improve productivity and efficiency. Each member of the group seemed to have their own opinion of the best solution, but most entailed large expenses we could not afford.

Since management needed a low investment solution, I proposed adding two additional fifteen-minute breaks to the working day for employees to read a book, catch up on the news, or go for a walk around the block. This was because I knew many employees felt burnt out by the end of the day, and their work suffered as a result.

The team supported the idea, but management was hesitant at first. After presenting my argument, they agreed to trial the breaks for two weeks. By the second week, the results were clear: employees were working more effectively and they were more satisfied at work. Soon after, the new break system was implemented on a scale across the company.

Situational interview questions assess how a candidate would behave under specific circumstances. Unlike behavioral questions, which call on previous experiences, situational questions place interviewees in the new role to see how they would perform.

The beauty of situational questions is that they allow interviewers to replicate role-specific scenarios where candidates will need to exercise critical thinking. If you were hiring a grant reviewer, for example, you could ask candidates how they would choose between two evenly-matched proposals. 

Our five chosen situational interview questions assess a range of different critical thinking scenarios; below, you’ll find our sample answers. If possible, adapt the situations to the specific role that you’re hiring for.

You notice your manager has made a significant mistake in a report. How do you handle the situation?

How would you deal with a situation where a weak link is affecting the quality of performance?

If you are given ten projects but only have time to complete three, how do you decide which three to work on?

You are leading a time-sensitive project where team members are unable to agree on an appropriate strategy. How do you proceed?

You’ve discovered a new approach that could improve performance while saving resources, but it’s unpopular among your coworkers. How do you present your case to your manager?

1. You notice your manager has made a significant mistake in a report. How do you handle the situation?

In virtually all roles, employees will have someone above them in the chain of command. Candidates shouldn’t be afraid to confront authority figures if they notice something’s wrong, but they must go about this in a constructive and professional manner. 

If I noticed a mistake in my manager’s work, I would wait for an opportunity to speak with them privately to raise the issue. After discussing the mistake, I would offer to help fix it.

I’m sure if I went about this politely, the manager would appreciate my good intentions and the issue could be resolved quickly and cordially. While the situation may be slightly uncomfortable, ensuring the best outcome for the business should always take priority.

I’ve found myself in this position in a previous job while reviewing a document from my manager before it was due to be published. It included a few incorrect statistics and formatting errors which I took the liberty to amend. When I raised this with him in private, he thanked me for my attentiveness and any ill feeling was avoided.

2.  How would you deal with a situation where a weak link in the team is affecting the quality of performance?

This question assesses the candidate’s ability not only to identify workplace problems, but also their willingness to tackle them proactively. Strong candidates won’t shy away from having uncomfortable conversations, but will also be respectful and keep things confidential.

If I noticed that a particular team member was disrupting the delivery of a project, I would look to offer solutions rather than point fingers. The first step would be to identify the cause of the team member’s poor performance.

If it was down to a lack of skills, I would suggest to the team leader in private that they receive appropriate training to help get them up to speed on the project. Alternatively, they could be reassigned to another area that they have greater expertise in.

If their performance was due to poor motivation, I would suggest that the employee be given personalized performance goals, assistance, and feedback. Encouragement, rather than criticism, should help the employee feel more motivated.

3. If you are given ten projects but only have time to complete three, how do you decide which three to work on?

Workers will often need to prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. In this situation, critical evaluation is necessary to distinguish the important from the less-important tasks using specific measures like time, effort, and value. 

If I had to manage multiple time-sensitive tasks, I’d first list them all together in a single document and order them based on the urgency of the deadlines. Second, I would flag any tasks which could feasibly be delegated to co-workers for completion.

From the remaining tasks, I would identify those which are both urgent and important. The next step would be to order these based on their value by considering which tasks have the most serious consequences for failing to complete them, and also which tasks have the highest ROI. 

For example, missing a deadline for a brand-new client could be more damaging than missing one for a loyal client of many years, and whose project is less urgent. Using this process, I’d select the three tasks which:

Only I can complete

Bring a lot of value to the business

4. You are leading a time-sensitive project where team members are unable to agree on an appropriate strategy. How do you proceed?

At a certain point in the project planning stage, it’s necessary to make the call to move things forward. Strong candidates will be able to synthesize the key points of the different strategies available to help come to a decision that is supported by the majority. 

In this situation, I would first remind team members of the urgency of the task at hand and the need to move quickly. Next, I would write up a simple, straightforward list of the pros and cons of each available strategy, drawing attention to any potential risks that may be encountered.

I would then give team members a few minutes to consider each option and voice any additional queries they may have. If a clear consensus still cannot be reached at this point, I would take a vote to decide the strategy to move forward with.

I recognize that it’s not always possible to reach a clear agreement. But by stripping the situation back to the simple facts, at least everyone can make an informed and objective decision in a time-sensitive manner.

5. You discover a new approach that could improve performance while saving resources, but it’s unpopular among your co-workers. How would you present your case to your manager?

Innovative thinkers can be great assets to your organization, but they’re of little value if they fail to defend their ideas when faced with disapproval. While other team members’ views should be respected, the strong candidate will be able to argue their case persuasively.

Before putting the idea forward to the manager, I would find out more about the reasoning behind the team’s resistance. It could be that they don’t want to go through a new learning curve or are unconvinced by its benefits.

These insights would allow me to tweak my proposal so that it addresses my co-workers’ doubts. At this point, I would present the idea to my manager and explain that I am willing to support the team in adopting the new approach with presentations and training.

The support sessions would aim to overcome the team’s hesitation by showing how the new approach would benefit them in the long run. I’d also encourage anonymous feedback so that the new approach can be improved. Ultimately, I’d try to reach a place of mutual understanding with positive outcomes for everyone involved.

Critical thinking is important in any job that involves decision-making. However, there are some fields where a candidate’s critical faculties will take priority. These include:

Law : Lawyers , counsels, and contract managers process complex information to build persuasive arguments 

Education : Teachers continually evaluate their students’ progress as well as their own methods to achieve long-term learning goals

Management : Managers analyze information, anticipate problems, and make complex business decisions based on unbiased judgments

Research : Researchers collect information, process data, study patterns, and make inferences to inform future decisions

Human resources : HR professionals make critical, measured judgments when making hires and handling employee conduct

Finance : Finance workers analyze data and objectively evaluate the results to create financial action plans 

Medical : Doctors and other medical staff examine patients and collect information to diagnose health issues and then offer the best solution

Our set of critical thinking interview questions is well suited to the professions above, but you may also want to assess critical thinking skills when recruiting in other areas. 

Critical thinkers make companies more competitive; actively seeking candidates with strong critical thinking skills for all open positions will give your organization a strong competitive edge.

By making a few tweaks to your recruitment process, you can transform your company into a team of critical thinkers! 

For this, you need to incorporate a Critical Thinking test into the candidate selection process , together with other skills tests to filter out unsuitable applicants and shortlist the best talent.

You can then use some of our interview questions in your own interviews to further assess candidates’ critical thinking skills and make the right hiring decision.

With critical thinking assessments in place at different stages of the process, you’re well on your way to hiring analytical minds that will drive innovation and help you future-proof your company.

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Creative Thinking Job Interview Questions + Answers

• Updated December 29, 2023
• Published September 3, 2019

Employers value creative thinking skills in the workplace. The reason for this is that employees who are innovative, think outside of the box and are forward-thinking in their approach can help their company gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, it’s important to be able to demonstrate your creative thinking skills since they are important in many professions and workplaces.

Usually, interview questions about your creative thinking skills require you to provide the interviewer an example of a situation in which you applied them. Such questions are called behavioral job interview questions . In this case, this type of interview question focuses on work situations that you encountered in the past and how you have used your creativity. The way you respond to such questions tell the interviewer more about your ability to think creatively and outside of the box. For interviewers, the best indicator of your future job performance is by analyzing your behavior in previous positions. The answers you give during a job interview should convince the interviewer that you’re the right person for the position.

Interview questions about how you apply your creativity might sound challenging. However, it’s actually a good opportunity for you to demonstrate that you’re a great fit for the job. With the right preparation, you can use your answers to your advantage by demonstrating how you’re creativity made a positive contribution to the company.

Why the interviewer is interested in your creative thinking skills

So, what exactly is creative thinking, and why is it so important in the workplace? Creativity can mean several things but in general, means looking at something in a different or new way. Think of coming up with new ideas, implementing solutions, developing strategies, improving existing processes, solving problems, or cutting costs. Creative thinkers look at problems and situations from a fresh perspective. They are curious, imaginative, and optimistic in general. Creative thinking skills help the company work more efficiently and productively. You can imagine that employers look for employees who can bring such contributions.

In some professions, you can, for sure, expect job interview questions about creativity and creative thinking skills. For example, jobs in marketing, sales, media, design, advertising, etc. However, when you’re applying for a supervisor, manager, or any other leadership position, you should expect some of these questions as well. The main goal for the interviewer is to find out if you can think creatively with regard to solving problems.

Creative thinking skills involve approaches such as:

• Looking for several and different approaches rather than just one.
• Besides looking for sensible suggestions allowing out-of-the-box and unconventional ideas as well.
• Not ruling out ideas early in the process. It’s important to approach all ideas as if they may be the key to success or at least could grow into something successful.
• You are allowing yourself to play with an idea, theory, or suggestion to figure out if it could work.
• Not being afraid to make mistakes but always learning from what has not worked, but also what did work in the past.

During job interviews, the interviewer wants to identify the level of creativity of applicants in order to find the right candidate. They are looking for specific skills that indicate that you possess the needed creative thinking skills for the job.

Related :  Creativity Interview Questions & Answers

Top skills that indicate creative thinking skills:

Analytical thinking skills.

The skills give you the ability to analyze and understand the situation you’re in. Before you can start to think of creative solutions to a problem or challenge, you need to understand what it actually is that you need to work on. Analytical skills allow you to analyze things closely to fully understand what they mean. Whether you’re working on strategies, processes, data sets, you need to be able to analyze information to problem solve and make decisions.

Organizational skills

This skill regards the ability to stay focus on multiple tasks, and use your energy, time, strengths efficiently and effectively to reach the desired outcome. Organizational skills are a big part of channeling your creative thoughts into a plan of action. Once you have come up with a creative idea to handle a specific situation, you need to be able to convey your plan to others so that they understand your plan as well. The ability to structure an action plan after coming up with a creative idea t that includes goals and deadlines is essential.

Open-mindedness

If you want to innovate you need to be open-minded. Innovation does not only regard coming up with new ideas but also approaching existing things differently. Open-minded means considering alternative approaches to problem-solving while setting aside any assumptions or biases. It requires you to look at things from a different perspective.

Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills help you determine what caused a problem or challenge and find an effective solution to solve it. Key problem-solving skills include performing research, analysis, active listening, and decision-making skills. Therefore, it’s important that when you’re discussing creative thinking skills during a job interview that you not only highlight your ability to think creatively but also that you possess the skills to solve problems and challenges.

• Communication

Once you have identified a problem and came up with a creative way to solve it, it’s important that you know how to communicate this to others as well whether this is a colleague, supervisor or client. Clear communication is essential in the workplace and helps reduce any confusion, which in turn makes the implementation of an idea easier and more efficient. Active listening is another part of great communication skills. Through active listening, you’re able to process ideas and concepts better. By asking the right questions and thoroughly understanding challenges and problems, you can come up with unique approaches to address these issues.

Behavioral questions about creative thinking

The most effective way to assess your creative thinking skills is by asking behavioral job interview questions . These are strategic questions that require you to provide the interviewer with work situations that you encountered in the past by describing how you handled them. The way you respond to these questions tell the interviewer more about your personality, thought processes, work methods, and ethics.

There are multiple reasons why behavioral interview questions are used. The main objective of an interviewer is to find and hire the best candidate for the position, but also the one that fits the company culture .

Behavioral interview questions often start with:

• Give me an example of
• Tell me about a time when you
• Have you ever
• What do you do when
• Describe situations where

As you can see, they require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer and ask from you to elaborate on a specific situation. An example of a commonly used creative thinking ability interview question is ‘ tell me about a time you had to develop a creative approach to solve a problem .’ This question requires you to provide an actual situation from your past experience in which you used certain skills to solve a problem at work.

Behavioral interview questions are used to assess key skills such as creative thinking, but also communication , adaptability , leadership skills , and conflict resolution . The questions the interviewer asks relate to the most important characteristics needed for the job that you’re applying for. Your behavior and approach to past situations are the most accurate predictors of your performance in similar situations in the future.

Interviewers consider the following when using behavioral questions in a job interview:

Costs of bad hires

Making wrong hiring decisions is an expensive mistake to make for a company. Not only does it cost time and money to find candidates, once they are hired and turn out not to be the right person for the job, but they can also have a negative impact as well. Bad hires can have an impact on the rest of the team by, for instance, being an underperformer. This can, in turn, impact productiveness. This is the most important reason why interviewers ask you different kind of interview questions to assess your suitability for the job.

Important details of your behavior in the workplace

Behavioral questions require you to provide an example of how you have acted in past work situations. The information that you give in your answers is used to determine how your past performance aligns with the current hiring needs of the company. Furthermore, it gives them insights into your personality, creativity, problem-solving skills, and any other skill that they are looking for.

The best predictor for future performance is how you have acted in the past

The reason that employers are interested in how you handled situations in the past is that it’s the best indicator they can get to gauge your future success. It’s a proven technique that gives more insight into your future work performance . It’s therefore advisable to prepare for the most common interview questions and specific questions that you expect based on the job description and the research you have done on the company. Based on your answers, the interviewer wants to assess if you’re the right person for the position.

Hiring the right candidate and avoiding bad hiring decisions

Ultimately, behavioral interview questions are used by employers to make the best hiring decision. You previous patterns in work-related situations play an important part in this decision. Your answers give more insight into how you handle critical situations. Also, it shows if this approach matches the ones required for the job you’re applying for. If you prepare your interview in the right way, you can make sure that your answers include important aspects of the job’s requirements. As you can imagine, the interviewer is looking for candidates that fit the job description , so make sure to make your answers related.

Why creative thinking skills matter to the interviewer

As described earlier in this article, creative thinking skills are essential for companies to be successful. Employers are, therefore, interested in how you handle certain situations. This is also the reason that during job interviews, you should be able to demonstrate that you have used creative thinking skills in the past. The answers you provide should demonstrate that you can take on the day-to-day tasks required for the job and that you have development potential.

Behavioral interview questions about your creative thinking skills are used to find out who you really are and how you go about handling certain situations. The interviewers want to get the following questions answered:

• How well developed are your problem-solving skills, and will they help you in the challenges you will face in the position?
• Are you able to adequately analyze and creatively respond to situations when needed?
• Can you communicate effectively with others in the workplace?
• Are you able to adjust to changing work environments?
• Can you perform under pressure?
• Are you flexible in your approaches to situations at work?

Frequently asked job interview questions about creative thinking

• Tell me about a time you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem.
• Describe a time when you took an existing process and used your own creativity to make it better.
• When have you had to develop a creative approach to problem-solving to get the job done?
• Tell me about a time you had to encourage someone else to be more creative and innovative.
• What is the most creative project or idea that you have generated in a previous position? How was it received?
• Tell me about a time you worked on the creation of a new product or service.
• Give me an example of your creativity.
• Tell me about ideas you have created that benefited your current/former employer.
• Describe a time where you worked on a project where a conventional approach was not suitable.
• Tell me how you go about encouraging ideas in others.

Preparing answers to job interview questions about creative thinking

When you’re preparing your answers, it’s important to consider a couple of important elements during your preparation.

Start by researching the job description and company . By doing so, you can identify the needed skills, abilities, and competences for the job.

Create a list of skills, abilities, and competences

Behavioral questions are a great opportunity for you to demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the position. Based on the skills, abilities, and competences that you found through your research, you can prepare your answers. For a lot of companies, similar skills are important such as creativity, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, taking responsibility, etc. You can rank the skills on importance in relation to the requirements of the position that you are interviewing for.

Think about your greatest achievements

Create a list of your work experiences that include the required skills, abilities, and competences for the job. Highlight successful situations where you demonstrated behavior that shows your suitability. Focus on delivering a to-the-point and concise answer.

Provide successful situations and include challenging ones

It’s obvious that you should highlight situations that had a successful outcome. However, the interviewer might also be interested in challenging situations that you encountered during your previous jobs. It’s therefore important that you prepare to answer such questions.

Describe to the interviewer how you handled a certain situation, what you did, why you did it, and what the results of your actions were. Also, explain what you learned from the situation. Based on the information you give, there’s always a chance that the interviewer will ask follow-up questions. They do this to test your self-awareness by, for instance asking ‘ how you might handle a similar kind of situation differently ‘ now.

Structure your answer according to the STAR method

The interviewer wants you to elaborate on past work situations. Think of a common creative thinking interview questions such as: ‘ Tell me about a time you had to use your creativity to solve a problem at work .’ By preparing example scenarios to questions you’re expecting, you can give answers that the interviewer is looking for. Make sure that you provide the interviewer the situation you were in, your task in that situation, the action you took, and the specific results that can come out of those actions. This is called the STAR-method and is discussed in more detail later on in this article.

The STAR method allows you to provide to-the-point answers that are logically structured if you follow each step. Below the STAR method is discussed step by step.

General elements to consider when you’re preparing your answers:

• Already write down your answers in the form of a story and structure it story logically. Use the STAR interview technique to do this. STAR stands for the situation you were in (S), your task (T) in that situation, the actions (A) you took, and what results (R) you got based on your actions. These are always the basic steps you take in your walkthrough.
• Display the skills and abilities that are needed for the job you’re applying for and that the interviewer wants to see. Make sure you  match your qualifications to the job and skills as mentioned in the job description.
• Be honest. Interviewers will notice when you’re making up a story on the spot. Furthermore, they will ask follow-up questions to go more in-depth into the situations you provide them with. Prepare several example answers that demonstrate the skills that you think will be discussed based on your research.

STAR Interview Technique

As stated earlier, most creative thinking questions can be categorized as behavioral interview questions . The best way to answer these questions is by using the STAR method. This method allows you to provide the interviewer with a to-the-point answer of how you handled previous situations. Below the STAR acronym is broken down into steps.

Start by providing context around the situation or challenge that you were facing in your work. Provide the needed relevant details but stick to the essentials and keep it concise.

After you provide the context around the situation, provide the interviewer with information on your task. Discuss your specific responsibilities and what your role was in that situation.

Next, describe the actions that you took to resolve the situation or challenges you faced. The best way to go about this is by providing a step by step description of the actions you took.

After you discussed the situation, your task, and the actions you took, focus on the results. Describe the outcomes of your actions and make sure to take credit for your behavior that led to the result. This part of the answer should include what you accomplished but also what you learned from the situation. Always focus on positive results and positive learning experiences.

Mistakes to avoid when answering creative thinking questions

Below a couple of common mistakes are discussed. Make sure to avoid them during your job interview.

Unrelated answers

Always make sure that your answer relates to the skills needed for the position that you’re applying for. A common mistake that job candidates make when they’re not prepared for such interview questions is providing an unrelated answer. Unrelated answers provide the interviewer nothing that they are looking for and should, therefore, be avoided.

Rambling during a job interview can suggest that you’re unorganized in your thinking. However, it can also indicate that you did not prepare. When you’re walking the interviewer through your story, it’s easy to go into details and start rambling. By doing so, you might actually end up confusing the interviewer. It’s important that you prepare for different interview questions so that you stay on track during the actual interview. Use the STAR method that’s mentioned above to do this.

Not showing confidence

Interviewers look for candidates who are able to demonstrate their abilities in a confident manner. If you’re unsure about your accomplishments or you deliver a half-decent answer, this will hurt your chances of getting the job. It’s, therefore, a smart strategy to think of several example situations that you can use during your interview.

Sample answers to interview questions about creative thinking

Below some example answers to commonly asked creative thinking questions are discussed. However, these are only ‘general’ examples for your inspiration. Do not forget to structure your own answers and relate them to the requirements of the job to demonstrate your suitability.

Creative thinking interview question example 1:

The first question requires you to discuss a time when you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem. It’s important that you talk the interviewer through your creative process that brought you the positive results.

‘Tell me about a time you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem.’

‘In my current position as a business development manager, I’m responsible for a team of five and was tasked with identifying new business opportunities and maintaining relationships with existing clients. Last year, a client approached me who was looking for an additional service in our software that we did not yet provide at the time. For me, this was a great opportunity because it was a request for a new product on top of our current service that came from a client. 

I told our client that we did not offer that service at the time but that we could develop it fairly quick. I asked them how they used our product and how the new service in our software would benefit them in order to get a better understanding of their request and help them improve their business. After that, I contacted our development department, and we made a plan to develop the service within the next couple of months.

I presented the plan to our client and discussed that they could use the service for free on a trial basis to help us finetune the software. This allowed us to test the new features with an actual user of the product to get it ready to launch in the market. The client was impressed by our efforts in order to satisfy them and happily agreed with our solution. We were able to develop the new feature within three months and made it available for other clients after six. For our team, this was a great achievement that did not only help satisfy an important client but also generated additional turnover.’

Why is this a strong answer?

• The answer demonstrates that you are creative in problem-solving and discusses the strategy of how you approached the problem.
• Also, the answer has a positive outcome, which is important when discussing your skills. Satisfied clients and additional turnover are always great outcomes. If you can quantify this, it’s even better.
• The answer shows that you are willing to take the initiative, that you’re determined, possess analytical thinking skills and that you’re result orientated.

Creative thinking interview question example 2:

This question regards the ‘most’ creative project you have worked on in your career. This is an opportunity to highlight an accomplishment. Furthermore, it allows you to demonstrate that you have what it takes to successfully perform the job.

‘Tell me about the most creative project you have worked on.’

‘I worked on several projects that required creativity, but one really stands out. I had to make a plan to increase market share for our products and present this plan to our board. The company was going through a bit of a rough patch, and there was no room for an increase in the marketing budget. I analyzed several components that ranged from regionally expanding our footprint into new markets, distribution channels, differentiation of products, marketing, customer segments, and pricing structures. I tried to come up with a creative solution to provide the board with real options that would impact sales.

Based on my research, I advised the board to have a closer look at the distribution channels and how we’re currently selling our products. This was the ‘easiest’ way to increase market share without increasing the marketing costs too much. Up until that time, our products were sold through specialized dealers and as the availability at the point of sale is very important to customers, increasing our distribution footprint could offer us the potential to increase our market share. The demand for our product was higher than the availability through our dealers. The board was willing to try this new strategy, and I, together with my team, made a plan to start making the products directly available to customers through online outlets and retail stores.

Through the implementation of our new distribution strategy, we saw the first increase in market share within the first two months. At the end of that year, the sales of that product line were up over 25%, which was a great accomplishment.’

• The answer demonstrates your creativity by showing that you can figure out approaches to problems in challenging situations.
• Also, the answer demonstrates that you take the initiative and provide creative solutions in complex projects.
• The answer has a positive and quantified outcome, which is great to make a good impression on an interviewer.

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Nov 1, 2021

20 Critical Thinking Interview Questions to Ask Candidates

Markellos Diorinos

Co-founder and CEO of Bryq, Markellos has a simple vision: to empower every organization to hire, grow and retain talent more effectively using science backed data.

Identifying critical thinking skills is essential in the recruitment process. Candidates often encounter situations where they lack complete information or data to address an issue. Moreover, solutions to problems are rarely straightforward or dichotomous. Therefore, employees must possess the ability to think creatively and tackle complex challenges. Assessing a candidate's critical thinking capabilities, however, can be a daunting task. Incorporating critical thinking questions during interviews is an effective strategy. These questions, especially when combined with Bryq's cognitive skills assessment, are instrumental in differentiating between candidates who are proactive thinkers and those who take a more passive approach to their problem-solving methods. This combined approach is particularly valuable in refining the selection process during interviews.

What is Critical Thinking...and Why is it Important?

Critical thinking means thinking reasonably without too much emotion or subjectivity. People who think critically try to push all of that aside when making decisions. Instead, these individuals rely on objectivity, reason, and logic to solve problems. These may be considered “soft skills”, but they are becoming increasingly important in the global workforce. Some jobs might require more critical thinking skills than others, but critical thinking skills will need to be utilized in every job role, no matter how straightforward a job might seem.

Take, for instance, a cashier job. It might seem that the only responsibilities a cashier might have are scanning groceries and handling money. But what if there is a price discrepancy? What if the cashier notices that a customer might be stealing merchandise? What if the customer hands over a fake note? These are all possible situations in which a cashier will need to use critical thinking skills to solve problems.

20 Critical Thinking Interview Questions

Critical thinking skills can’t be assessed by reading resumes or looking at previous work experience. Asking a candidate open-ended questions that allow them to demonstrate their ability to think outside of the box and use logic to solve problems will give you a much better idea of how sharp a candidate’s creative thinking skills are. Even asking questions that seem like riddles is a great way to get your candidates thinking! You can also use these questions to check for both hard and soft skills.

Use the following 20 questions to see which of your candidates has both the brains and logic to stand out above the rest: 

Tell us about a time when a project did not go as planned. What can be done to avoid a similar problem in the future?

Have you ever needed to make an important decision quickly?

Has there ever been a time when you needed to decide without knowing all the details of a situation?

Imagine that you are the project manager of an important project. Two of your co-workers cannot get along, delaying the project. How do you go about solving this issue?

Have you ever had to convince your manager that your way of solving a problem was the best? How did you go about convincing them that you were right?

Imagine coming to work to see you have been sent 1,000 emails overnight. If you only have time to answer 200 of them, how would you decide which 200 emails to respond to?

Have you ever foreseen a problem before it happened? What did you do to prevent this from happening?

A customer has approached you with a problem while you are talking to your manager about something very important. How would you react to this?

Describe the color green to somebody who is blind.

How would you go about putting together a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle?

While in a meeting, your co-worker suggests a solution to a problem you know will not work. Do you voice your concern to the team in the meeting?

Has there ever been a time when somebody suggested an idea to you that you had not considered? If so, what was your reaction to this?

What steps do you take when addressing a problem?

Describe a time when you noticed a problem at work and came up with a solution.

Have you ever had to adapt your work style for a manager? What adjustments did you make?

Tell us about a time when you set a lofty goal for yourself and achieved it. What steps did you take to make it happen?

What is the one thing you would change about your previous job? How would you go about making these changes?

Has there ever been a time when you were dealt with an unexpected situation at work that caused you to change your approach? Tell us how you handled it.

If your manager made a mistake on an important document, how would you address it?

Is it better to increase prices to gain profit or lower prices to make customers happy?

How to Assess Critical Thinking Skills

The answers to these critical thinking interview questions can and should vary across candidates. The more creative and thought-out the response is, the better the candidate should be able to solve complex problems. However, there are some common characteristics critical thinkers have that you can look for while assessing candidates.

Critical Thinkers Are Logical

They don’t let bias or their typical way of thinking get into their decision-making. They can consider a situation from every angle and use logic to develop a solution to a problem.

Critical Thinkers Are Trustworthy

They make well-reasoned decisions based on fact and logic, not emotion. This means that they make decisions that you can trust. Additionally, they use problem-solving techniques without worrying much about the opinions of others.

Critical Thinkers Are Innovative

They are true innovators at heart. They look at problems from a different perspective. Additionally, critical thinkers offer fresh solutions to your company’s problems that you might not have thought of before.

Unexpected Answers

Candidates who possess critical thinking skills typically give creative solutions to problems. If a candidate gives a typical answer to a question or presents an obvious solution to a problem, they might lack critical thinking skills. Giving “black or white” answers suggests that these candidates don’t know how to think outside the box. You should be looking for answers and solutions that are creative yet backed by logic.

Complete Answers

Some candidates might not give detailed answers to interview questions. Alternatively, some might not even answer your question at all. It’s important to note that many critical thinking interview questions don’t have “right” or “wrong” answers. When we ask questions, we are trying to figure out whether or not the candidate has the capacity to at least try to give a fully thought-out answer backed by logical reasoning that makes sense. If a candidate tells you that the sky is actually green and not blue while presenting logical explanations as to why, you have a critical thinker on your hands. A critical thinker will convince you of things based on logic.

Check Facts

In the answers the candidates gave you, did they search for more information before moving forward in their decision-making process? When solving problems, a critical thinker prefers to find out as much information as they can before making a final decision. Make sure your candidates are making decisions based on facts and not feelings.

Logical Reasoning

In their responses, do candidates use logical reasoning to solve the issues at hand? Or do they jump to conclusions and skip logic in favor of taking action right away? When interviewing candidates, seek out logical reasoning in their answers to determine if they are critical thinkers.

How Bryq Can Help

It’s obvious that looking for critical thinking skills in the interview process is important. Of course, interview questions are only as helpful as the tools you’re using alongside them to find future hires. Bryq’s talent assessment software helps you find the perfect candidate based on personality assessments and assessment questions made to test a candidate’s cognitive abilities and critical thinking skills . Our product is based on Industrial & Organizational Psychology and measures four distinct skills - numerical skills, logical reasoning, verbal skills, and attention to detail.

Hiring employees who possess critical thinking skills can benefit your company tremendously. These employees will offer new solutions to ongoing problems and innovative ideas to improve your processes and will work hard to make sure things go smoothly. Using the critical thinking interview questions above in conjunction with Bryq’s talent assessment software is a surefire way to hire a team of critical thinkers who will get the job done.

Do you want to see our product live in action? We’d love to show you how the magic happens. Click here to book a demo with us today!

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10 Critical Thinking Interview Questions That You Can Use

• July 28, 2021

Wondering how to test a potential employee’s critical thinking abilities and rational decision-making skills? Look no further because, in this blog, we will give you a list of the top 10 critical thinking interview questions you can ask to quickly find the right candidate for your company. 

Some candidates may possess the necessary technical skills and expertise, but lack the emotional intelligence or critical thinking abilities to succeed. If you are looking to employ the right fit for your company, critical thinking interview questions should be an essential part of your interview process.

It must sound quite difficult to assess a candidate’s ability to analyze, evaluate and think independently. However, on the contrary, it’s not. A candidate’s logical reasoning skills can be effectively determined from the very beginning, with the right set of interview questions. 

The Importance Of Critical Thinking In The Workplace

Critical thinking is a thought process that allows a person to objectively evaluate and assess information using logic and reason, and to come up with rational responses. Therefore, the ability to utilize critical thinking and logical reasoning is a highly valued skill in the workplace. 

It is important that you hire employees who can provide sensible advice, well-thought-out solutions, and fair evaluations at every step of their employment. Critical thinkers are also considered to be active team players who take the time to process situations and work accordingly, in a way that benefits the entire office. 

Critical thinkers are known for their acute logic, strong emotional perception, and exceptional social skills in the workplace. When assigned a task at work, they meticulously envision a solution and its potential consequences and plan actions using out-of-the-box thinking.

Top Critical Thinking Interview Questions To Ask A Potential Candidate

You must be wondering which critical thinking questions are thought-provoking enough to separate the critical thinkers from the rest of the candidates. There are plenty of critical thinking interview questions to choose from, but to determine the perfect fit for your company, your questions must be relevant to the job role and the environment of your firm. Therefore, you need to tailor your interview questions to suit the nature of the job. 

Regardless, to help you kickstart your interview procedure, we bring you a detailed list of the top 10 critical thinking interview questions that you can use to quickly and effortlessly separate the most qualified candidates from the rest. 

1. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years? 

This critical thinking interview question is probably one of the most popular ones that employers ask their potential employees. You will instantly be able to tell if the job candidate has long-term career goals and whether it aligns with your company long-term, based on their approach to this question. 

Their answer might also shed light on their dedication and loyalty towards their work and companies, and if they are planning to grow with your firm in the future. You should expect a realistic, rational answer that helps you determine the candidate’s interests, drive, ambitions, and expectations. 

2. How Would You Approach Important Decisions With Incomplete Information?

The way a candidate replies to this question will help you know whether he or she is capable of making good, rational decisions even when not given enough information. It will shed a light on the candidate’s abilities to work under pressure and take decisions despite limitations. The potential employee should be able to use logic and resourcefulness to come to a rational decision. 

3. How Do You Handle Disagreements Between Teammates?

The candidate should be able to evaluate opposing viewpoints and use them to form practical solutions. You should search for candidates who use their critical thinking to look into different perspectives of a situation and lead the team to better solutions with logical reasoning.

4. How Would You Present New Ideas To Your Team?

The nature of the job might require the employee to present new ideas or concepts or to the team and this type of question will help you understand whether he/she can effectively share information with others. You can test the candidate’s communication skills and influential behaviors to persuade others to follow them using proper reasoning and approach. 

5. What Is Your Thought Process For Split-second Decisions?

This is one of the top critical thinking interview questions that you must always ask your candidates because logical reasoning and decision-making are directly related. Candidates who have the ability to make smart, thoughtful decisions based on data and information, multiple perspectives, and anticipated outcomes should be considered for the job position. 

The potential employee should show signs that he will be able to take critical decisions under pressure and in challenging situations, while thoughtfully considering how his/her decision may impact the team and the company as a whole.  

6. How Do You Handle Someone Else’s Mistake At Work?

At times, the employee might have to correct the errors of his seniors at work and take responsibility. This critical thinking interview question will help you see whether the candidate has the skills to correct others’ mistakes as well as their own in an ethical manner. You can easily determine whether the interviewee would be able to handle a difficult and uncomfortable situation with an authority figure. 

7. How Would You Improve Your Relationship With A Dissatisfied Customer? 

There may be many possible answers to this particular question. Different candidates may approach this question with different perspectives. As an interviewer looking for the perfect fit employee for your firm, you need to look out for candidates who can logically explain their decision and get their idea through to you. 

8. How Would You React To Ideas Or Approaches If They Differ From Yours? 

It is important that the potential employee has the ability to consider new ideas and tactics while solving difficult problems. This type of question is helpful to understand how well of a team player the candidate will turn out to be in the future while working with different teams and members of your firm. 

9. Describe A Time When You Anticipated A Problem And Took Measures To Prevent It.

If a candidate can look at a given situation and anticipate potential challenges, you will be able to tell he has a good understanding and grasp of the job position or task at hand. This skill combines excellent observational and problem-solving abilities, both of which are essential to critical thinking.

10. Describe A Time When Your Work Was Criticized And How You Handled It.

Finally, with this important question, you will be able to get an insight into how the candidate reacts to constructive criticism under stressful situations. You should expect the applicant to be able to take suggestions with the correct attitude and the right levels of calmness. 

Analyze The Answers To Critical Thinking Questions To Select The Right Candidate

There is no right or wrong answer to the critical thinking interview questions mentioned above and can vary significantly among candidates. The more creative and thought-out the response is, the better the candidate should be able to solve complex problems. While carrying out your interview process, you should look for some common critical thinking characteristics to get to the right candidate for you. 

The candidates should be logical and analytical thinkers who will carefully analyze all perspectives and information while assessing a situation. The employees might not always have detailed plans or information, so look for candidates who strive to take a balanced approach and try to come up with fresh and innovative techniques to solve a problem. Look for candidates who give you complete answers to these critical thinking interview questions listed above, with unexpected answers by thinking outside the box. 

Bonus: How To Assess Candidates To Screen The Right Talent

Finding the right talent for your team can be challenging, especially when a single job posting draws a large number of qualified applicants. That is why, before making a hiring decision, you must examine candidates and test their talents. Take a look at our blog on how to assess job interview candidates to screen out using other methods along with critical thinking interview questions and select the right talent for your firm. 

If you find this blog helpful and plan to ask some of these critical thinking interview questions in the next interview you conduct at your firm, do let us know in the comments below. For more tips on recruitment and hiring, make sure to subscribe to our blog or join our friendly Facebook community to get all the latest updates.

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Top 21 Creative Thinking Interview Questions In 2024 [With Answers]

What are the different ingredients that make a business successful? Give a long thought and note down the findings. You will certainly see that “Creativity” is at the top or at the second or third position in your list. Almost all the business organizations that are operating across the world prefer to hire employees that are dedicated and have the ability to think creatively. Thus, interviewers during an interview process strive to check your level of imagination and creativity by asking a few interview questions.

Creative thinking interview questions are termed by the candidates as absurd, unrealistic, quirky, and quite open-ended. This is true and thus, it is necessary to prepare hard for such questions. Further, these questions would always challenge your body language, approach and would make you feel uncomfortable. These questions are tricky and stimulate your overall thinking.

21 Best Interview Questions To Study

1. if stars are diamonds than what is a moon, sample answer.

Sir, stars when seen from the Earth, shine, sparkle, and refract light, just like diamonds. Moon, also when seen from the earth shines and refracts light. However, since the moon is closer from the surface of the earth, the craters are visible, which seem like spots on an otherwise impeccable smooth surface. Thus, I would like to term it as a diamond that is yet to be carved.

2. Tell Me About The Best Phase Of Your Life.

Sir, my college days were the best days of my life. In those days, I was a carefree, restless, and hardworking individual that aspired big and had several dreams. I had a large pool of friends and we enjoyed ourselves a lot in the market and even had a special spot for meetings. We used to study together, pass and fail, whatever the event was, we just made sure that it is full of life.

3. Describe About A Time When You Performed A Task Without Any Prior Preparation.

Sir, working in any business organization is quite challenging. At times you need to perform a few tasks that you are not aware of or simply you don’t know anything about them. You certainly can not deny the performance of the tasks and have to compulsorily do it. I remember while working with my previous business organization how I executed a few tasks that were not related to my domain. I accepted those tasks and read a few good self-help books so as to complete them.

4. Choose Between Accumulation and Donation. Justify Your Selection.

Sir, I would like to go with Donation. I believe, we all humans have a responsibility towards our society and must contribute something from our earnings to the people who are not that lucky as us.

5. What is Your Favorite Gift and Why?

Sir, my best gift is a watch. This is because I rate time highly and in my opinion, a person who just does not respect time will never be successful in his or her life no matter how much talented he or she is. Thus, I always love to give simple watches to people, so that they understand the relevance of it.

6. Share A Time When You Performed “Quality” Operations.

Sir, in my opinion, a quality operation is one in which a person is able to perform duties and tasks that lead to client satisfaction. I remember, how during my previous tenure with a business organization, I executed a task which satisfied not only the clients but also all met all the parameters and standards

7. If You Were Allowed To Use Internet For The Last Time, What Will You Browse?

Sir, I would love to explore Facebook and message all my friends, family members, and colleagues. I believe the social circle of a person plays an important role in his or her success and gives some meaning or purpose to life. I would personally thank them all for being with me all the time and would certainly like all their messages.

8. Explain The Improtance Of Planning In Business Context.

Sir, I believe it would be impossible to succeed without effective planning. It is inevitable for the managers and top-level executives to hatch business plans and then work as per the established principles. Plans act as a guiding lamp and always tell the people to move in a specific direction following a definite path.

9. How Will You Prepare For A Race With The Fastest Man On The Earth?

Sir, I believe there is no mountain that can not be climbed and no valley too low to be passed. The challenges can be tough and may seem impossible at first, but with proper channelized hard work, grit, luck, and passion, a person can achieve success and might turn the tables. In order to prepare for the race, I would begin with a proper diet, start training, increase its intensity, and would persevere. Success is not a guarantee, but I am committed to working hard.

10. Which Is Your Favorite City From Where You Would Like To Work?

Sir, personally I would love to work in a silent, and secluded place wherein I am able to concentrate upon my work. In the evenings, when my work is over, I would love to meet my friends and family members so as to hang out and create some nice memories. I believe, my birthplace or my native town is the perfect place for me and I would be happy to get a hometown posting.

11. Which Is Your Favorite Animal and Why?

Sir, the bald eagle is my favorite animal. This is because, it is highly accurate, dedicated, and patient while performing its operations. If humans can inculcate its abilities and skills then I believe we will be able to perform our business tasks with great precision and deliver exceptional performances.

12. How Would You Like To Know Your Future – Through Tarot Card or Through Palm Reading?

Sir, to be honest, I don’t want to know my future. This is because, in my opinion, life is full of surprises and things change pretty quickly that acts as the spice of life. I like spices and I want my life to be full of surprises. Further, the future could either be good or bad, and knowing it is adverse for you in every sense. If it’s good, you will become complacent and would gradually lose happiness. On the flip side, if it is bad, you will literally become mad and would start living in depression. Thus, I am not interested in knowing my future, but still, if you ask me, Palm reading looks attractive.

13. How Would You Design The Cover Page Of Your Autobiography?

Sir, first of all, it is my dream to write an autobiography. However, for people to read my story, I need to do something special in life. Hence, I am honored that you thought that for me. I would leave the cover page of my story as pale white and would incorporate a traditional border around it, in brown and gold. I would title my autobiography “Solving Disputes Between Hard work and Luck”.

14. Suppose, You Can Have A Personal Meeting With A Single Person From The Past, Whom Would You Choose and Why?

Sir, I would like to have a personal meeting with Napoleon Bonaparte. He is the story of grit, power, luck, success, and failure. A non-french young boy, who migrated from his hometown of Corsica to France with a dream to conquer the world someday, is in itself quite exciting and thrilling. If I can have a meeting with him, I would like to ask him, how he mastered his luck, how he remained that dedicated, and what was his thought process before going for a battle.

15. Employees Work With An Organization Only To Earn Salary. Comment On This Statement.

Sir, I believe this statement is partially true. Employees are the assets of every business organization and the success or failure of business operations depends entirely upon the manner in which employees conduct themselves. They work quite hard and achieve the organizational goals and objectives by sacrificing a lot in their personal lives. Moreover, they have got bills and have a family to feed too, for which they need money. I don’t think it is bad if they are working hard for an organization and in return, they get rewarded.

16. Choose Between Responsibility and Authority. Justify your Selection.

Sir, authority is glamorous and mentally satisfying. In my opinion, a person who has authority can make quite a name for himself and can play a major role in the success story of a company. However, with authority comes responsibility and both of these are inseparable parts. Still, if you would like me to choose one then I will like to go with responsibility. This is because I simply love to work hard and execute the tasks assigned to me.

17. If You Were Given An Option To Choose Your Last Book To Read, What Will It Be?

Sir, In this situation, I suppose it is not the end of the world and the only issue is that we are facing is with writers, as either they have gone on a big mass strike or all of them have switched their careers. In such a situation of dearth, I would prefer to read a book that is based on my domain. This is because, instead of fantasizing about the creativity of any writer, I would love to become nostalgic by reading those college formulas and concepts again.

18. We All Love Superpowers. Which One Is Your Favorite One?

Sir, in my opinion, the ability to move from one place to another within fractions of a second is my favorite superpower. This is because, if I will get that superpower I will no longer be stuck in any traffic jam, would reach my office without any tiredness, and would go back home to meet my family without any delay.

19. If Time Is An Illusion Than Why Do We Use It In Our Daily Lives?

It is true, that famous scientist Sir Albert Einstein once termed time as an illusion. The basic rationale behind that was to eliminate the fine line between past, present, and future. The great scientist even went on to say that reality is a series of complex events that occur by default. I believe this is a story that is distinct from the sundials and the normal 1 p.m(s), 2 p.m.(s), or 5 p.m. (s) that we are aware of. The time displayed in our watches is based on the positioning of the sun and has nothing to do with the theories propagated by Sir Einstein. Thus, we use time daily and there is no harm in it too, isn’t it?

20. How Many Stairs Would You Need To Reach Heaven?

Sir, stairs can be of many types, they could be made up of concrete, iron, or maybe wood. So first of all considering the great height and elevation levels, I would prefer to use concrete in my stairs. Next, I would like you to share with me a complete address of heaven so that I can go there alive and just measure the distance of it from the planet earth. Post this, I would be in a perfect position to tell you the exact number of stairs.

21. We Love To Hire Honey Bees At Our Workplace. What Is Your Interpretation?

Sir, honey bees are the busiest animals on the planet earth and have an unmatched dedication and perseverance level. These little species are always busy with their work and have the lowest distraction rate. In addition to this, honey bees are order takers and perform to the best of their abilities to execute them. In my opinion, every business organization likes to hire employees that exhibit the qualities of a honey bee. That is, the employees are dedicated, committed and inclined towards the tasks assigned to them.

Download the list of questions in .PDF format , to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Creative Thinking interviews):

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871187121000687
• https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=gtRJEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Top+21+Creative+Thinking+Interview+Questions+in+2021+%5Bwith+Answers%5D+&ots=EeaYfKYkjQ&sig=YBzY_ziWnJm_lwM9tQiPm0gRTog

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Sandeep Bhandari is the founder of PrepMyCareer.com website.

I am a full-time professional blogger, a digital marketer, and a trainer. I love anything related to the Web, and I try to learn new technologies every day.

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