The Biggest, Bravest Question You Can Ask in a Job Interview 💡

The moment everything changed

It was 2005. My contract was coming to an end, and I was interviewing for a new role.

I’d managed to secure a spot at a bank for a trading desk assistant position. Up until that moment, everything had gone smoothly.

Until it didn’t.

“Soooo…” the desk head said. “You did accountancy at university.”

My stomach sank.

“Erm, yes. A module of it.”

A module I had barely paid attention to and actively disliked.

My palms started to sweat. Anxiety surged. And this is where the neuroscience kicks in 🧠.

What was happening in my brain

When we feel under threat, the brain’s threat system activates. The amygdala scans for danger and, when it senses a risk to status, competence, or belonging, it hijacks the system.

Blood flow shifts away from the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, memory, and articulation.

That’s why, even when you know the answer, your mind can suddenly go blank.

The interrogation

Like bloodhounds sensing fear, the two alpha males in the room went in.

“How do you value a company?”
“What’s a P/E ratio?”
“What’s EBITDA?”

The questions kept coming. I froze.

This was my weak spot, and they had found it.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’ve gone blank.”

The look on their faces said everything. Disgust. Boredom. Next.

The turning point 🔁

But I wasn’t quite done.

“Have you got any questions?” he asked.

“Oh yes.”

I had prepared carefully and wasn’t about to end on that low note. As we worked through my questions, I could see one of them shifting in his chair, ready for me to leave.

And then I decided to go for it.

A friend had once shared a killer interview question. When I first heard it, I thought, You would never ask that.

But I did.

“Do you have any reservations about hiring me?”

I wish I had a photo of their faces 😮.

Why this question works from a brain perspective 🧠

1. It shifts the power dynamic

When you ask this calmly and with curiosity, you signal confidence and psychological safety. Their brain moves from judgement mode to evaluation mode. Instead of scanning for flaws, they begin to reflect.

2. It regulates your nervous system

Naming the potential threat out loud reduces its emotional charge. Neuroscience shows that labelling uncertainty calms the amygdala and re-engages the prefrontal cortex. You move from freeze to agency.

3. It forces clarity

Unspoken doubts create cognitive noise. When concerns surface, the brain naturally seeks resolution. This gives you the opportunity to address them directly while the interviewer’s brain is fully engaged.

“Erm… well… no,” he replied.

For that trading desk assistant role, they weren’t just looking for technical competence. They wanted resilience. Someone who could recover quickly. Someone who wouldn’t crumble under pressure.

A word on tone 🎯

This isn’t aggressive. When asked with openness, curiosity, and calm, it invites honesty, not conflict.

If they do share a reservation, you move into a conversation, not a performance:

• “I’m not sure you have enough relevant experience.”
  Offer another example.

• “I’m not sure you’re the right cultural fit.”
  Talk through your values and behaviours.

• “I haven’t seen experience in X.”
  Share a clear, relevant story.

Confidence isn’t about knowing everything.
It’s about staying regulated, present, and responsive under pressure.

Your challenge 🚀

Next time you’re in an interview, I dare you:

If your intuition says it’s right, ask it.

This might be the bravest and most brain-savvy question you ever ask.

✅ Action step

Before your next interview, write down your top three questions and include:

“Do you have any reservations about hiring me?”

Practise asking it calmly and curiously. Notice the difference in the conversation and the energy shift.

📚 References

Amygdala and fear response – ScienceDaily 

Stress and cognitive function – American Psychological Association 

Psychological safety and team performance – Harvard Business Review

Affect labelling and emotion regulation – NCBI

Want more brain-powered career strategies?

Sign up for my newsletter for neuroscience-backed insights, confidence tools, and career strategies that actually work ✨