▸ WHAT IT REVEALSDealbreaker clarity, expectations alignment, retention risk.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest, specific, and connected to real needs. Not performative.▸ RED FLAGS'Nothing would make me leave' — not believable. Or lists things present in the role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEAre any of those concerns already present from what you know so far?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCritical thinking, role vetting, intellectual courage.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAsks a smart follow-up. Uses the information to assess fit.▸ RED FLAGSIgnores it or dismisses it without any reflection.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would you want to know about why they left?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-driven vs externally driven orientation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest about their motivation style. Not performatively independent.▸ RED FLAGSEither fully reliant on external push or denies needing any structure at all.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat happens to your output when the external motivation disappears?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSReflective thinking, maturity, honesty.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEReal decision, real regret, real learning.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name one. Or names a decision that reveals poor judgment they haven't processed.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHas that regret changed how you make decisions now?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-awareness, accountability, team impact.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest and specific. Shows they know how they can be hard to work with.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name a time. Or names something trivially minor.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat did you do once you realized it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-insight, role-fit awareness, realistic expectations.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific scenarios: type of management, project scope, growth pace.▸ RED FLAGSCan't imagine it not working. Or the failure scenario matches the actual role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat early signal would you use to decide whether to push through or leave?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntellectual honesty, courage, self-awareness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKENames something real — even if it's a gap, a sensitive topic, or a career question.▸ RED FLAGS'There's nothing I'd avoid' — rarely true.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBE[Address whatever they raise directly.]

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSGenuine motivation vs. convenience hire risk.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, authentic reasons tied to this role's unique value for them.▸ RED FLAGSVague justification. Seems like they're settling.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would stop you from leaving once something better came along?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSProactive integrity, openness, trust-building.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAddresses anything relevant calmly and with context.▸ RED FLAGSGets visibly defensive or refuses to engage.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEIs there context you'd want us to have before we speak to your references?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSResilience, self-awareness, emotional honesty.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEReal, processed, and used as a growth story.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name one. Or is still clearly unresolved.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat pulled you through it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntegrity, judgment, accountability.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest about a gray area or mistake. Takes ownership. Shows growth.▸ RED FLAGSDenies ever crossing any line. Or the example reveals a serious integrity issue.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat does that experience tell you about your own limits?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSBlind spots, ego, openness to feedback.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest about a piece of feedback they've struggled to accept.▸ RED FLAGS'All feedback has landed' — not believable. Or the feedback they reject is actually valid and important.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhy hasn't it landed — is it the feedback itself or how it was delivered?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSMotivation, financial pressure, stability risk.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHas a real reason for accepting less. Financially stable enough to do so.▸ RED FLAGSSeems pressured. Already looking for a raise. Suggests they'll leave quickly.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow long can you comfortably manage at this compensation level?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSRadical honesty, self-awareness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKENames something real. Shows confidence in their own identity.▸ RED FLAGSEither claims to have no dealbreakers or names something actually disqualifying.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow have you handled that in past roles?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSAccountability, candor, root cause thinking.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEDirect ownership. Clear analysis. Forward-looking.▸ RED FLAGSEntirely blames external factors. No personal accountability.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would you do differently if you started that project today?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSRole understanding, self-awareness, realistic expectations.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKENames a real challenge. Articulates how they'd approach it.▸ RED FLAGSNames something that isn't actually hard. Or reveals they misunderstand the role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEIs that something you've navigated before?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSReal priorities, how competitive you are for them, whether you're a fit.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEClear criteria. This role fits more than one of them.▸ RED FLAGSCriteria reveal this role is a backup. Or criteria suggest complete misalignment.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhere does this role sit in your current preference ranking?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntegrity, proactive honesty, ownership.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEProactively flags known issues rather than waiting to be caught out.▸ RED FLAGSDismisses the question completely when there's clearly something to say.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me what that person would say and how you'd add context.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-reflection, transparency, career honesty.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest explanation: timing, org structure, their own readiness.▸ RED FLAGSBlames politics entirely. Gets defensive. Can't explain it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEDo you think you deserved a promotion?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCandor, real alignment check.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEShares a real concern or hesitation. Intellectual honesty.▸ RED FLAGS'Nothing at all!' — not believable. Or shares a concern that reveals real misalignment.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would help you resolve that concern?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-awareness, learning plan, honesty.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAcknowledges the gap directly. Has a specific learning plan.▸ RED FLAGSDismisses the gap. Or overstates how quickly they'd close it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's the hardest part of that gap for you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSMotivation check, ego management, long-term fit.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEArticulates why this role is the right move. Not performing enthusiasm.▸ RED FLAGSHints that they see it as temporary. Can't genuinely defend why they want this role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow will you stay engaged if some of the work is below your usual scope?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntellectual honesty, self-awareness, openness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKENames a real development area without being coached.▸ RED FLAGSOnly names superficial critiques. Defensive. Or seems nervous about references.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHave you already aligned with your references on what they'll say?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntegrity, professionalism, how they'll handle the departure.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEProfessional, respectful, clear plan for clean transition.▸ RED FLAGSHostile. Plans to leave abruptly. Says negative things about current employer.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow are you planning to handle the conversation when you resign?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHonesty, reflection, professional decision-making.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKETransparent about mismatch. Shows judgment in leaving rather than staying.▸ RED FLAGSVague or gives a version that doesn't add up.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat did you verify during your interview process that you wish you'd asked about?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHonesty, accountability, resilience.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKETells the truth. Owns their contribution. Has processed it.▸ RED FLAGSBlames the company entirely. Becomes emotional. Doesn't acknowledge any personal role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would you do differently?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHonesty, gap explanation, readiness to return.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEDirect and unbothered. Explains the gap matter-of-factly.▸ RED FLAGSDefensive, vague, or clearly unprepared for the question.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat did you learn or take away from that period?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSComplacency risk, adaptability, growth mindset.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKECan articulate growth within the role. Shows progression and learning.▸ RED FLAGSNo growth demonstrated. Stayed out of fear or comfort only.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's kept you from exploring sooner?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSJob-hopping patterns, commitment, decision-making quality.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEClear reasons for each move. Pattern of growth, not running away.▸ RED FLAGSBlames employers every time. Moves were reactive, not strategic.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat would need to be true for you to stay somewhere 3+ years?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSProfessionalism, pattern of manager conflict, accountability.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAcknowledges their own role in the dynamic. Specific and non-bitter.▸ RED FLAGSEvery manager story is negative. No self-ownership. Extreme language about a former boss.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat do you wish you'd done differently?