A standard job interview process often makes applicants shudder with fear. Okay, maybe it’s not all that extreme, but you get what we mean. Job applicants going through a first online or physical interview aren’t always on their toes. That’s where your ice-breaking talent as an HR professional needs to shine.

You can only bring about this change by asking fun, creative, and ice-breaking questions during your interview. In this blog, we present our five favorites.

5 ice-breaking questions for a brilliant job interview

1. Should you have or be your own brand, what slogan would you choose?

When you ask this question, you make the candidate think about their key characteristics and summarize them under pressure. The answer reveals some personality traits and shows how creative your candidate is.

2. What do you think of me as an interviewer?

Perhaps a question that will come as a big surprise to the candidate, but with good reason. With this question, you kill two birds with one stone. Firstly, you’ll immediately notice how honest, direct, and adaptable the candidate is in social situations. Secondly, you’ll also receive some immediate feedback on your interview skills.

3. What would you do to survive a zombie apocalypse?

This might be the funniest question on our list, but it also reveals how expansive and creative the candidate’s thinking is. Moreover, it’s our personal favourite when it comes to icebreakers.

4. Which book would you recommend to anyone and why exactly?

Ideally, the candidate can think of at least one book to discuss. The answer should demonstrate how quickly they can cite what’s important to them. If the candidate isn’t a reader, you can easily pivot the question to a movie.

5. What could we never guess about you from your CV?

This question offers a deeper look into your applicant’s personal life. Perhaps your candidate is a hidden singing talent or was a tattoo artist in the past? It provides interesting insights into hobbies and other aspects not immediately evident but could be valuable for your company’s culture fit.

With these five questions, you’ll immediately put the candidate at ease. This not only benefits you as an HR professional but also enhances the candidate’s experience.