Questions to Ask the Candidate

Attract the right people, not 400 wrong ones. Describe the role — get a job post that's honest, clear on what matters, and doesn't read like every other one.

Want extra income but most 'side hustle' lists are junk? Tell it your skills and time — get realistic ideas that fit you, with how to actually start.

The offer came in low and you don't want to insult them or fold. Tell it the numbers — get a counter that's confident, justified, and keeps the relationship intact.

Asking for a raise and dreading it? Tell it your case — get the script: how to open, the proof to bring, and how to handle 'there's no budget' without folding.

The base is capped but the deal isn't. Tell it the offer — get the other levers (signing bonus, equity, PTO, remote, title, start date) and how to ask for each.

New to managing, or want to be better at it? Tell it the situation — get practical help with 1:1s, feedback, delegation, and the people stuff nobody trained you for.

Undercharging because you're scared to ask for more? Tell it your service and experience — get a defensible rate, how to price the project, and how to present it.

Going into a salary talk blind is how you get lowballed. Tell it your role and market — get a framework to figure your real range and how to back the number up.

The trap question early in the process. Tell it your situation — get ways to answer that don't lowball you or scare them off, including how to flip it back.

Don't wing the money conversation. This roleplays the negotiation, plays the tough recruiter, and tells you exactly where you left cash on the table.

Got two offers, or want to leverage one for a counter? Tell it the situation — get how to play it honestly, the scripts, and how not to blow up either option.

Hiring on gut feel leads to bad hires and bias. Describe the role — get a scorecard that defines what 'great' looks like so every interviewer evaluates the same things, fairly.

Hiring someone and want the offer to land well? Give it the details — get a warm, clear offer letter that makes them excited to say yes. Have HR/legal review the formal terms.

Running a meeting, class, or party and need to warm people up? Tell it the group — get icebreakers people actually enjoy, not 'two truths and a lie' again.

Dump your to-do list. It cuts the busywork, picks the 3 things that actually move the needle, and time-blocks the day around them.

Nobody reads boilerplate. Give it the role and your background — get a cover letter that sounds like you actually want this job, not a template with the company name swapped in.

Returns policy that protects you without scaring buyers off. Describe your product — get clear, fair terms in plain language, not legal scare-text.

Time off your resume you're dreading explaining? Tell it the situation — get honest, confident language for the resume, cover letter, and the interview question.

If people don't get why you in 5 seconds, you lose them. Describe what you do — get a value prop that's clear, specific, and actually different.

Skip the 40-page business plan. Give it your idea — get the scrappiest path to your first 10 paying customers this month.

Launching something and don't want it to land with a thud? Tell it what and when — get a week-by-week plan: pre-buzz, launch day, and the follow-through.

Debt across a few places and no plan? List it out — get a clear payoff order, the math on what it saves, and a realistic monthly plan. Not financial advice, just clarity.

About to drop real money and not sure? Tell it the purchase and your situation — get an honest gut-check on whether it's worth it, not just permission.

Stop marketing to 'everyone.' Describe your product — get a sharp customer persona: who they are, what keeps them up at night, and how to reach them.