Team Values
Smart questions for engineers who want real answers
Get past the polished company-approved answers, avoid sounding like a "bad" candidate, and uncover details that aren't in a job description.
How did you celebrate your last big milestone?
Flexibility and wellbeing
How the team works day to day
Notes
Questions that seek concrete data like this are great way to cut through hand-wavey answers and get real data on the culture. What the team celebrates (eg. a big product launch, hitting a goal, or a PR merged) can help you work out whether the team takes time to appreciate achievements or if it’s more of a "get back to work" culture. Most importantly, it helps you gauge how valued and connected you’ll feel. After all, these moments of recognition and celebration are what keeps us motivated and engaged.
Who to ask
Team Manager
Team Member
What to listen for
- Do celebrations feel rewarding or not obligatory? (“We take a day off” or “We do a team outing”)
- A focus on enjoyment and relaxation versus just working harder
- If there’s a culture of celebrating personal milestones (birthdays, personal wins)
Red flags 🚩
- Long hesitation or struggle to remember their last celebration means they probably don't celebrate enough
- No celebrations or only work-focused. (“We high-five and get back to work.”)
- No recognition of personal achievements outside of work might mean you're viewed as more of a cog than a human being
- Overly casual answers that don't show intentionality (“We just grab drinks”)