Hypothetical question | Glossary

Definition:

Hypothetical questions are questions that asks how a candidate might behave in a situation. A question based on certain proven or assumed facts, and formulated to arrive at a generalised answer applicable in most such situations in the absence of dependable data. A hypothetical question is based on supposition, opinion, personal belief, or conjecture, and not facts. It is not based on reality. It mostly deals with actions and scenarios that might happen, or something that might not have happened as yet, but which could happen.

Hypothetical questions are of the form, “What would you do in this situation?

Further Reading:

BOOK: Hiring Geeks That Fit by Johanna Rothman

Closed question | Glossary

Definition:

A type of question that asks how you handled a situation, and you will need to respond with an explanation of what you did. The logic is that your success in the past is a positive indicator of your success in the future.

This asks the candidate to use his or her experience to answer an interview question. These questions are often of the form: “Give me an example of a time when you…”

Further Reading:

BOOK: Hiring Geeks That Fit by Johanna Rothman