▸ WHAT IT REVEALSLong-term thinking, role-fit beyond the immediate job.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific and credible next step. Helps understand their 2-3 year arc.▸ RED FLAGSCan't articulate it. Or the answer reveals this role is a dead end for them.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEIs there a version of success here that keeps you here longer than that?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSAcceptance, self-awareness, emotional maturity.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest answer with genuine reflection. Not bitter. Shows growth.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name one or is still bitter about it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEDo you think you'll revisit it one day?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSOpenness to coaching, external input on goals.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEValues outside perspective. Can name specific advice that shaped their path.▸ RED FLAGSFully self-directed with no interest in others' input.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWho outside your workplace has most influenced your career thinking?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSEvolution, growth, intellectual flexibility.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEGenuine belief shift with a real story behind it.▸ RED FLAGSCan't identify anything. Or answer is too superficial.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat changed your mind?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSRisk appetite, courage, decision-making.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific risk, specific outcome. Honest about whether it paid off.▸ RED FLAGSHas never taken a professional risk. Or describes a minor risk dramatically.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat did you learn about risk-taking from that experience?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSPerformance orientation, ego, data comfort.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEWelcomes clear metrics. Sees measurement as a tool for growth.▸ RED FLAGSResistant or defensive about being measured.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's the best way you've been evaluated in a role?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSOwnership thinking, self-awareness, proactiveness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEThoughtful critique of current role. Shows they've reflected on how to be more effective.▸ RED FLAGSEither loves everything (dishonest) or has nothing constructive to offer.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHave you ever tried to make any of those changes? What happened?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCompetitive orientation, drive style.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESelf-aware answer. Knows their motivational drivers.▸ RED FLAGSEither no drive at all or excessively competitive in ways that harm team dynamics.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me about a time that competitive drive led you to do your best work.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSpecialist vs generalist orientation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEClear preference with examples. Or genuine hybrid with context for each.▸ RED FLAGSSays 'both' without being able to explain when each applies.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhere does this role sit on that spectrum, in your view?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSWork style, environment preferences, engagement triggers.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, honest, and revealing. Consistent with what the role offers.▸ RED FLAGSDescribes a day nothing like what the role entails.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would make it a bad day?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCareer narrative, adaptability, self-reflection.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEA real pivot or evolution they can articulate with insight.▸ RED FLAGSDescribes a change as purely external with no personal ownership.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat triggered that shift and what did you learn from it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSExpectations alignment, enthusiasm, role-fit.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific to this role. Connected to a real need or goal they have.▸ RED FLAGSGeneric excitement. Could apply to any role at any company.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat are you most nervous about?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSGrowth orientation, lifelong learning.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEActive, self-directed learner. Names specific habits, resources, and recent learnings.▸ RED FLAGSOnly learns when required. No proactive learning habits.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's the last thing you learned that surprised you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntrinsic motivation, values, passion.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEGenuine answer, often reveals the core of what drives them.▸ RED FLAGS'Nothing, I work for money' — deeply transactional.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEIs any of that present in the work you do today?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSFlow state, passion, engagement signals.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific type of work. Often the best signal of genuine engagement.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name anything. Or describes something entirely unrelated to the role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow often does that happen in your current role?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSLearning orientation, relationship with development.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific mentor, specific lessons. Shows ability to learn from others.▸ RED FLAGSNever had one and shows no curiosity about it. Or vague answer.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would you want a mentor to help you with today?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSRetention drivers, loyalty factors.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific: mission alignment, manager quality, growth, team, impact.▸ RED FLAGS'As long as they pay me' — low retention signal. Or too long a list.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's made you leave companies in the past?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSGrowth mindset, alignment of personal goals with role.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific skill, clear connection to the role, shows self-awareness of current gap.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name a developmental goal. Or names something completely unrelated.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's your plan if this role doesn't provide that development?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSBuild vs optimize orientation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEClear preference with reasoning. Or genuine flexibility with examples of both.▸ RED FLAGSEither can't distinguish between the two or has extreme rigidity.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhich of those feels more natural to you right now?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCore priorities, decision-making criteria.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEClear hierarchy of what matters most. Specific and honest.▸ RED FLAGS'Just the right fit' — too vague. Or reveals misaligned priorities.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHave you ever turned down a higher-paying offer for something else? Tell me about it.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSustained engagement, self-management, resilience.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific techniques: milestones, team engagement, reconnecting to purpose.▸ RED FLAGSRelies entirely on external motivation. Or denies ever feeling low motivation.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me about the longest stretch you had to push through.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSPurpose, impact orientation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, personal, connected to a real outcome or person affected.▸ RED FLAGSMeaningfulness defined purely in terms of compensation or title.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat made it meaningful — the work itself or the outcome?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSPurpose, engagement, work orientation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific and genuine. Connects to work, team, impact, or craft.▸ RED FLAGS'The paycheck' (too cynical) or 'I love everything about my job!' (too performed).▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would make you not want to get out of bed?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSValues, what they optimize for, storytelling.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEStrong narrative, personal contribution clear, outcome meaningful.▸ RED FLAGSCan't identify one. Or picks something misaligned with the role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhy that over everything else?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSValues, success metrics, intrinsic vs extrinsic orientation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific and personal. Shows self-awareness. Not purely status or money.▸ RED FLAGS'Getting promoted' or 'earning more money' without deeper reflection.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHas your definition changed over time? How?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCuriosity, interests, personality depth.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEGenuine, thoughtful answer. Reveals how they think about work and identity.▸ RED FLAGSDismissive ('I can't imagine anything else'). Or overly rehearsed.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's kept you from pursuing that path?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntrinsic motivators, job-fit signal.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific activities, types of problems, or interactions. Backed by examples.▸ RED FLAGS'Everything energizes me' — lacks nuance or honesty.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat drains you most? How do you manage that?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSRole clarity, self-knowledge, alignment.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific about the type of work, scope, autonomy, and impact.▸ RED FLAGSCompletely describes the current job. Or describes something entirely different.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's the one element of that ideal role this position doesn't offer?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSAmbition, direction, whether the role supports their goals.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKERealistic and directional. Not perfectly scripted. Shows self-awareness.▸ RED FLAGS'I want your job' (insincere). Or 'I haven't thought about it.'▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's the gap between where you are now and that future?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCore motivators, maturity of career thinking.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEThoughtful mix of intrinsic and extrinsic. Honest about what they need next.▸ RED FLAGSOnly money, or vague 'growth' without substance.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow has that driver changed over the last 5 years?