I recently read about a CEO whose favorite opening interview question is: So, what would you like to talk about?
It's brilliant because it indicates how people think and interact, key qualities of any new hire. It immediately sends a message and creates an environment of engagement, dialogue and partnership. He gets to see how people respond to this environment which speaks loudly to expected patterns should they be hired. It is a simple, powerful way to make transparent the authetic character of the candidate.