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I was once asked, what 3 items I would like to have if I were on a deserted island. I was skeptical about the position and this question did not seem very professional or relevant at the time (it was for marketing).

My favorite questions are behavioral based - asking how something was handled in the past to indicate how they are most likely to handle situations in the future. I have a tips sheet with ideas for selecting the right employee, planning the interview, and listing 51 revealing interview questions that will help you discover the realities behind each candidate. e-mail me at nbrecher@brecherassociates.com and I'll send a copy

Tell me about a situation in which you were required to analyze and solve a complex problem.

This question gives a candidate the chance to tell about themselves in a storytelling manner (not a simple yes/no response) and gives me an opportunity to understand how they think, and how they verbalize their thoughts.

After looking at the resume and combined experience of an applicant, I want to see who the person really is beyond the nice print and style of a resume. I like to ask about their family, lifestyle and what they enjoy during leisure time. The interview is always relaxed and casual and I always ask the following questions:

1. Describe your worst and best boss
2.Tell me what it is that you believe that you brought as an individual to your last position which was different than another person
3.I have described the property for which you are interviewing , tell me what will be the first item of business for you to do
4.In your last managerial position, describe three times when you gave more than the job required of you

After asking all the typical questions, I always ask, "What is the one thing or aspect you hope never to have to do if you are hired in this role?” I have found the answers to be very telling and enabled me to make valuable hiring decisions. I had a strong administrative candidate (that may have been hired) tell me she didn't like to file. I had a seemingly perfect leasing candidate tell me he didn’t like to talk on the phone.

I also flip this one on potential employers asking them what they would change about their company if they could. When people are caught off guard, you tend to get the most candid answers.

"What are your biggest strengths and your biggest weakness"

You know this question will be asked and you better have a good answer prepared. Yet we constantly dumbfounded by our candidates that "have no weakness"!