What kind of interview questions do you ask applicants?

As a previous recruiter and HR assistant, my questions which are NOT job specific tend to relate to finding out how the candidate responds to pressure, if they can think quickly, and if they are personable enough to fit in with the culture of the company they are looking to work with. You are right about cookie cutter answers to common questions, and as long as you avoid things that can violate the person's privacy like marital status, children, age, etc, I think being creative is super cool. When I get interviewed and thrown a curve-ball, I like that it challengers me to think. If you want to really suss out if someone is a fit, see if they can get rapport with you (not ONLY useful for salespeople) over something you may have in common. Also, do your due diligence and CALL the references, CHECK that they did what they said they did, and LISTEN when a previous colleague or manager gives you an oblique "dodge this bullet" message because, boy howdy, there are some lulus out there!

Some questions I ask help to show the applicants integrity and character. In a non-invasive manner I have asked them to tell me about a diificult job related situation they had to face and how they handled it. Likewise, I had them tell me about a good situation and how they handled it.  Both types of situations will happen at some point, and they are not required to answer if they are not comfortable doing so. Or you could pose a hypthetical question on a specific situation that could happen in your line of work and see how they would address it, improve it, etc.

You can ask —-outside of work what do you like to do in your spare time.   This will give u insights on who they really are. Such as are they a couch potato or are they athletic. Etc. 

you can ask what’s the most daring thing you have ever done or if you can go anywhere in the world where would you go.   Again this helps in understanding if they are a go getter or a person who takes it easy ☺️    Hope this helped. 

I always ask why they want to work for me. The florist business is 80% prep and 20% design and creation. If they only want to work for me to create it's not going to work. I also ask about what they like to in their free time. It really helps to get a handle on their real personality.

Why do you want to work here?

If I do hire you, what are you going to do for us ?

I ask him or him or her about their family. Family comes first,.even before work. 

How about "What turns you on?". What excites a interviewee in regard to business and their personal life. This will help you gauge whether they will be ecited about the position you are wanting to fill and whether your business really interests them.

How do you feel about pro bono work.  Many times I meet up with a student athlete who needs but their parents can not pay me, and I work with them any how.  I feel this is a true measure of a person.  

Be ready and accepting age related changes that come your way and be ready for new growth that prompts a new you, and be just as prepared to let some things go, 'cause your new you no longer needs them,

How about...... What do you feel you can contribute to this company and why?