15 Key Questions to Understand Character and Personality in an Interview

Want to gain deeper insights into someone’s character and personality? Here are 15 essential questions to understand character and personality, complete with example answers. Whether you’re conducting an interview, building a friendship, or fostering a relationship, these questions can help you uncover key values, motivations, and viewpoints. With these examples, you’ll have a clearer understanding of who they are and how they approach life.

Key Questions to Understand Character for Interview (With Sample Answers)

Use these questions to explore a person’s character in various situations for a deeper understanding of their personality.

1. What is the most important thing in your life?

Good Answers:

• Family is the most important to me. They’re my source of support and inspiration.
• Integrity, because being honest with myself and others is the foundation of my life.

Poor Answers:

• Money is the only thing that matters; everything else can wait.
• As long as I’m having fun, that’s enough for me.

(This question can reveal core values)

2. How do you handle challenges or problems?

Good Answers:

• I like to stay calm and make a step-by-step plan to handle any problem.
• I often discuss issues with close friends to gain new perspectives.

Poor Answers:

• If it’s too hard, I usually give up and look for another solution later.
• I don’t really care, so I let problems pass on their own.

(This reveals their approach to difficulties)

3. What do you typically do in your free time?

Good Answers:

• I enjoy reading self-development books or going for a light jog.
• I like to paint or draw to express myself creatively.

Poor Answers:

• I watch TV or play video games all day, with nothing else planned.
• I sleep all day; I’m not really into other activities.

(Explores hobbies and daily habits)

4. What achievement are you most proud of?

Good Answers:

• Completing college while working part-time taught me time management.
• Starting my own small business despite many initial challenges.

Poor Answers:

• I don’t really have anything to be proud of; my life’s pretty average.
• There’s nothing to boast about; I’m not very ambitious.

(Shows dedication and ambition)

5. Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

Good Answers:

• My parents—they taught me the values of hard work and respect.
• A high school teacher who always supported and encouraged me.

Poor Answers:

• I don’t know; I’ve never really thought about it.
• Probably no one; I rely on myself more.

(Reveals sources of inspiration and core values.)

6. If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?

Good Answers:

• In a small town close to nature; a peaceful environment gives me calm.
• I’d love to live in a country with rich cultural heritage, where I can learn a lot.

Poor Answers:

• I don’t care, as long as I can relax and there’s no work.
• Anywhere with full facilities and not too many people.

(Reflects lifestyle preferences.)

7. Do you prefer structured plans or spontaneity?

Good Answers:

• I prefer structured plans but stay flexible if things change.
• I like a balance between planning and spontaneity, depending on the situation.

Poor Answers:

• I don’t really think about it; I just go with the flow.
• I hate planning, so I’m more spontaneous.

(Reveals planning tendencies.)

Read also: Good CV and Examples | How to Write it? | What will make my Resume stand out?

8. What book or movie has left a strong impression on you?

Good Answers:

• The Pursuit of Happyness for teaching resilience.
• To Kill a Mockingbird for its values of justice and humanity.

Poor Answers:

• I’m not really into serious books or movies.
• Nothing too memorable; I just watch for entertainment.

(Shows inspirational values)

9. What quality do you appreciate most in others?

Good Answers:

• Honesty, because strong relationships are built on trust.
• Empathy—I value people who can understand others’ feelings.

Poor Answers:

• As long as they’re fun to be around, I don’t care about the rest.
• I don’t think about others’ qualities as long as we have a good time.

(Shows standards in relationships)

10. In difficult situations, do you prefer solving issues on your own or discussing them?

Good Answers:

• I try to handle things alone first but am open to discussion.
• I prefer discussing it to gain fresh perspectives that might be effective.

Poor Answers:

• I avoid getting involved; let the problem solve itself.
• I usually withdraw when situations get tough.

(Reveals problem-solving approaches)

11. What usually motivates or excites you?

Good Answers:

• I feel motivated when I see progress in my work and personal life.
• I’m excited by new challenges because they keep me learning.

Poor Answers:

• No specific motivation; I just go through things without thinking much.
• My motivation varies, so there’s nothing consistent.

(Explores main sources of motivation)

12. Is there anything you’d like to learn or develop?

Good Answers:

• I’d like to sharpen my communication skills to build better connections.
• I’m interested in photography as a way to express creativity.

Poor Answers:

• I’m not really interested in learning new things; I’m good as is.
• Nothing specific I want to learn at the moment; maybe someday.

(Shows focus on self-improvement)

13. What do you typically do to manage stress?

Good Answers:

• I listen to music or take a walk to calm myself.
• I write down my thoughts; it helps me feel more grounded.

Poor Answers:

• I tend to get irritated or don’t care about people around me.
• When I’m stressed, I withdraw and don’t want to be disturbed.

(Shows emotional management skills)

14. What do you think makes a relationship work?

Good Answers:

• Trust and open communication are vital for a healthy relationship.
• Patience and mutual respect are key to maintaining strong relationships.

Poor Answers:

• As long as they don’t interfere with my life, the relationship will work.
• There’s no secret; it just works if things go my way.

(Reflects views on relationships)

15. If you could be a superhero, what power would you want and why?

Good Answers:

• I’d want the power to heal so I can help those who are sick.
• I’d like teleportation to travel without worrying about traffic.

Poor Answers:

• Invisibility so I can avoid people entirely.
• Mind-reading so I know what people think about me.

(Explores imagination and what they value most)

Bonus Question: If you saw someone stealing, what would you do?

Good Answers:

• I’d make sure I’m safe first, then report it to security or the authorities.
• If I feel it’s safe, I’d politely intervene and report the incident.

Poor Answers:

• I’d ignore it; I don’t want to get involved.
• As long as it doesn’t affect me, I’d let it be.

(This question assesses responsibility and moral principles)

Tips for Answering Questions to Understand Character and Personality

1. Be honest

Never lie when answering questions to understand character and personality. Honest answers are easier to remember and more authentic.

2. Stay calm and relaxed

Respond with calmness and without pressure. Character questions aren’t about right or wrong but your personal views.

3. Use real experiences

Answer with real-life examples to give depth and make your response more relatable.

4. Showcase values and principles

Make sure your answers reflect your core values and principles.

5. Avoid cliché answers

Be unique and genuine in your responses. Avoid overused answers that can sound insincere.

When and for Whom Are These Questions Appropriate?

Questions to understand character and personality can be used in various situations:

1. Job interviews

To select candidates with values aligned with the company culture.

2. Building new relationships

These questions help deepen friendships or romantic relationships by understanding key values early on.

3. Team collaboration

Getting to know colleagues better can improve communication and teamwork.

4. Mentoring or self-development

Ideal for coaching sessions to identify motivation and goals.

Heuristics Psychological aspect for humans to use mental short cuts to arrive at decisions

Ideal Timing for These Questions

Choose moments where there’s comfort and trust. Ideal times include:

• Interviews or onboarding sessions.
• Relaxed chats after meeting a few times.
• Team-building events.
• Deeper personal conversations

With the right timing, these questions can encourage honest, authentic answers that provide deeper insights into someone’s character and personality. Using these questions thoughtfully helps foster meaningful relationships, improve team dynamics, and ensure alignment with values, whether in personal or professional settings.

Conclusion

Understanding character and personality is essential in many contexts, from personal relationships to professional settings. By using these 15 questions to understand character for interview and personal insights, along with good and poor answer examples, you can gain a fuller picture of someone’s values, motivations, and problem-solving approaches. Tips like being honest, using real experiences, and avoiding clichés will help create responses that reflect your authentic self.

When asked or answered with sincerity, these questions pave the way for stronger connections, deeper understanding, and a true sense of alignment with shared goals and values.

Sources: PinterPandai, Workable, TestGorilla

Photo powered by Midjourney

Manipulation in Psychology | How to Tell If Someone Is Manipulating You?