Asking open ended interview questions that get answers

Why open questions matter

Closed questions lock an answer into a single choice, while open ended interview questions give your guest space to explain. For video interviews, those explanations are what create the moments worth keeping in the final cut.

The goal is not to fill time, but to let the guest show their thinking. A well phrased open question often leads to a story, a reason, or a lesson that you could never plan.

Phrasing that pulls a real answer

Start with prompts like 'how', 'what', or 'why' to leave room for a response. Avoid yes or no wording, and steer clear of questions that suggest the answer in the phrasing itself.

Specificity helps as much as openness does. Asking for one example of a situation will work far better than asking for thoughts in general.

Balance with context

Give just enough context for the question to make sense, then stop talking. Many interview questions fall flat because the host explains for too long and limits what the guest can say.

If you find yourself listing options, drop them. Options turn an open question back into a multiple choice one.

Practice the pause

After you ask an open ended question, wait in silence. It can feel awkward for a few seconds, but that pause gives your guest time to think and often leads to their strongest answer.

Resist the urge to fill the silence with another question or a clarification. Let the space do its work.

The best question is often the shortest one.

Key takeaways

• Use 'how', 'what', or 'why' to open up an answer.
• Ask for a specific example instead of a general opinion.
• Keep your explanation short before the question.
• Hold a pause after asking instead of filling it.