One of the most important open-ended questions you can ask during an interview is:

What problems are you trying to solve?

Having problems is part of the human existence and trying to get them solved is part of what makes life worth living.

Working on a problem focuses an individual’s life energy, and it’s often the well-spring for motivation.

What problems are you trying to solve?

When asking this question, you’re also gaining important information about what could cause a recruiting prospect to make a change.

Until you clearly understand the problem, your solution will not be relevant.

What problems are you trying to solve?

Finally, when you coach someone through solving a problem, a connection is built.

If the problem is big enough, you’ll have hired someone who has endeared themselves to you and your organization.

It’s a simple interview question with lots of great upside.