@ Jorick

I didn't mean like, interviewing them or something. "Where do you see yourself in this RP in 5 months?" "What would you describe as your greatest weakness?" "Do these business trousers make me look fat?"

I meant more along the lines of their character sheet, say what you have to say about the sheet or if you notice that there's something particularly off about them that you're concerned about. No use beating around the bush. I never ask somebody about any of the stuff you're talking about, because that just sounds silly. I judge someone entirely off their character sheet and how just talking to them turns out. So far it's worked out rather fine, I don't need to play 20 Questions with them and decide if they're decent enough to get along with. Like you said, you don't just outright ask somebody about what they think they'd do or whatever, you just play it by ear and trust your gut. If something sets up a red flag, then you should be worried. If not, see where it goes if they make a good sheet. Easy peasy.