Here's an interview question I always ask that has worked pretty well:
"If you could wave a wand and instantly change one thing about this company/job/team, what would it be?"
This is similar to "what is wrong" but frames it in a positive light, so people are more open and creative.
If the answer is anything about people "I wish communication was better", "It would help if more people were on board for this project", "A change in management wouldn't hurt, haha j/k" etc. That's a red flag.
If it's about non-people "I wish we didn't have so much legacy code", "I would love it if we could get our testing setup better", "There are no good places to get coffee around" that's a good sign that aren't major people problems.
If they can't think of one, that's a real cause for concern!
This is one of my favorite questions in general because what people wish for tells a lot in many ways about the major problems, but without people begin guarded. They're fantasizing not venting.
"If you could wave a wand and instantly change one thing about this company/job/team, what would it be?"
This is similar to "what is wrong" but frames it in a positive light, so people are more open and creative.
If the answer is anything about people "I wish communication was better", "It would help if more people were on board for this project", "A change in management wouldn't hurt, haha j/k" etc. That's a red flag.
If it's about non-people "I wish we didn't have so much legacy code", "I would love it if we could get our testing setup better", "There are no good places to get coffee around" that's a good sign that aren't major people problems.
If they can't think of one, that's a real cause for concern!
This is one of my favorite questions in general because what people wish for tells a lot in many ways about the major problems, but without people begin guarded. They're fantasizing not venting.