If you’ve ever browsed job seeker forums or chatted with candidates after an interview, you’ve likely heard frustration over certain questions:
“Tell me about yourself.”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“What’s your biggest weakness?”

Many candidates roll their eyes at these questions, calling them outdated, vague, or just plain unhelpful. But here’s the truth: these classic interview questions aren’t bad – they’re misused.

Why Interviewers Get a Bad Rap – It’s Not the Questions, It’s the Lack of Intent

The problem isn’t the questions themselves. It’s how they’re asked – and more importantly, how they’re interpreted.

Far too often, hiring managers walk into interviews without a clear strategy. They rely on a few go-to questions, ask them without context or follow-up, and fail to define what a “good” answer even looks like. When that happens, even the best interview questions lose their power.

The result? A frustrating, ineffective process – for both the interviewer and the candidate.

What Interviewers Should Really Be Asking Themselves

Before an interviewer even walks into the room (or logs onto the Zoom call), they should be able to answer:

• What am I trying to learn from this question?

• What does a strong answer look like for this role and our culture?

• How will I follow up to dig deeper into their response?

Let’s take a look at a few of those “overused” questions and how they should be used in a thoughtful hiring process.

“Tell Me About Yourself” – A Window into the Candidate’s Priorities

Too often treated as an icebreaker, this question is actually a golden opportunity to learn how a candidate frames their career narrative. Are they strategic about their path? Do they focus on the aspects of their experience most relevant to the job?

✅ What to listen for:

• Clear career progression

• Relevance to the role

• Communication skills

🚩 Red flag answers:

• Rambling or overly personal stories

• No connection to the job or company

“Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” – A Test of Alignment

This question helps reveal a candidate’s ambition, self-awareness, and how well their career goals align with what the company can offer.

✅ What to listen for:

• Long-term goals that fit within your company’s growth path

• A desire to learn and contribute

• A realistic understanding of the industry

🚩 Red flag answers:

• Goals completely unrelated to the job

• No clear direction or plan

“What’s Your Biggest Weakness?” – An Honesty and Self-Awareness Check

This isn’t about catching someone off-guard – it’s about assessing their ability to reflect, adapt, and improve.

✅ What to listen for:

• A genuine weakness (not “I care too much”)

• Evidence of self-improvement

• A willingness to grow

🚩 Red flag answers:

• Overly rehearsed or humblebrag responses

• No clear takeaway or growth

The Key to Great Interviewing? Have a Plan.

Here’s the bottom line: Great interviews start with preparation. If you’re asking questions without knowing what you’re trying to learn – or what a strong answer looks like – you’re wasting time, both yours and the candidate’s.

The best interviewers:

• Know what success looks like in the role

• Have a defined list of competencies they’re evaluating

• Tailor their questions to surface specific behaviors and experiences

• Follow up with thoughtful prompts

If you’re hiring, don’t just go through the motions. Build an intentional, structured interview process that gives you real insight into your candidates – and gives them a fair shot to shine.

Looking to Build a Smarter Hiring Process?

At Murray Resources, we help companies of all sizes design hiring strategies that work – from refining interview processes to finding top-tier candidates who align with your goals and culture. Whether you need help building your interview structure or sourcing qualified talent, we’re here to help.

Explore our job openings, if you’re a candidate, or contact us to learn how we can support your hiring efforts.

Partner With Interview Experts Who Know What to Ask

If you’re looking to level up your interview process and hire with more confidence, contact us today. With decades of experience connecting top talent with leading employers, Murray Resources can help you build a smarter, more intentional hiring process – one great question at a time.