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.