Yes, you can ask diversity and inclusion interview questions. The key is to ask them in a way that helps you understand the practice, not in a way that sounds like you are testing people for the sake of it.
Good questions are specific. They ask how a studio supports people day to day, how it handles feedback, what progression looks like and whether the words on a website match the working culture.
Watch: asking about diversity in interviews
Jackie Handy, Tara Cull and Stephen Drew discuss how candidates can ask better questions about culture, inclusion and support during interviews.
Listen: diversity and inclusion interview questions
This is the audio version of the Architecture Social conversation, useful if you want the deeper discussion behind the practical questions below.
You can also open the related Architecture Social podcast page.
Ask about lived practice, not slogans
Many practices can say they value diversity. The more useful interview question is what that means in the team you would actually join.
- How does the team support people from different backgrounds to progress?
- What does mentoring look like for junior staff?
- How are project opportunities shared across the team?
- How does the practice handle feedback if someone raises a concern?
- Are there examples of inclusion work that changed how the studio operates?
How to phrase the question
A useful phrase is: I am interested in how practices turn inclusion into day-to-day support. Could you tell me how the team approaches mentoring, progression and making sure different voices are heard on projects?
That question is professional and specific. It does not demand a perfect answer, but it gives the interviewer a chance to show whether the practice has thought about the issue properly.
What to listen for
- Specific examples rather than generic values.
- Clarity on mentoring, line management and progression.
- A willingness to discuss where the practice is still improving.
- Evidence that inclusion is part of project teams, not just HR language.
- A calm response, not defensiveness.
Use the question as part of wider research
A good interview question helps, but it should sit alongside wider research into the practice, team, projects and role.
Common mistakes
- Asking a huge question that no interviewer can answer properly.
- Only asking whether the company is diverse, without asking what support exists.
- Ignoring the answer because the job sounds exciting.
- Leaving culture questions until after accepting an offer.
- Assuming a polished website means the lived experience is strong.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s view is that candidates are allowed to care about the environment they are joining. The strongest interviews are two-way conversations, and a thoughtful culture question can help both sides decide whether the fit is real.
Prepare one culture question before interview
Choose one question that matters to you, then ask it calmly and listen for evidence rather than slogans.
- Make the question specific to the team or role.
- Ask about day-to-day support and progression.
- Notice whether the answer gives examples.
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