Ask This Before Hiring Or Collaborating With Someone
The right question leads to the right person.
Imagine this. You finish college, apply for your dream job and receive the offer. You pursue that role for several years, and you become proficient. You climb the corporate ladder because you’re good at your craft, and people think you’re credible.
With experience and skill, you become either a manager or a department head. Being a leader entails more responsibility. You are no longer just tasked with fulfilling the nitty-gritty aspects. You are expected to build a team as well.
Building a team requires empathy and intuition. But we don’t always know a person’s story on the first day we meet them. How do you know what type of person you’re looking for? How do you determine when a person applying is fit for the job and in your team?
You interview them and ask them about who they are and what qualifications they hold. However, this isn’t enough most of the time. As a recently promoted manager myself, I need to see through an applicant’s intention. Otherwise, our productivity and morale might suffer.
Allow me to share the most important question I ask during a job interview. This question allows me to evaluate a candidate thoroughly.
The question is, How Did You Prepare for this interview?
The question seems too simple, and you might feel like there’s nothing crucial about it. But let me tell you why it works for me.
The question is general and open-ended. It is not answered by a simple yes or no, or I’m fine, thank you. When you ask this question, you immediately get a glimpse of the person you’re talking to.
There are many ways the applicant can answer this.
I Researched or Reviewed …
From the answer you get, you can evaluate if the applicant really did what they said. If they say that they’ve done research on the company, you can ask what they found out. If they prove how they did their research, it shows that they are genuinely interested in the role and took the time to polish their answers.
- What products does the business/company offer?
- Who are its target customers?
If they say they reviewed the job post and the necessary skills, you can conduct a skill test.
- They should know the details in the job description and
- Explain why they are the right fit.
Takeaway
The skills test is the technical part of the evaluation. You can then determine if they are competent and knowledgeable.
I Checked on … or Validated With …
More than surface-level knowledge, serious applicants and collaborators aim to get in touch with people who’ve actually worked for the company they’re applying for.
These can range from getting feedback from an acquaintance or checking job review sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, if available. More than the job requirements, they also take the time to see if the business’ mission aligns with their values too.
Takeaway
While the interviewers are evaluating them, they know they are also in a position to evaluate their prospective team. They know that interviews are a two-way process. Not a place for the interviewers to roast them.
I Didn’t Prepare
It seems disrespectful for someone to answer this way. But trust me, I experienced this. I heard this answer quite a few times before. Applicants or prospective collaborators who respond this way are usually uncommitted and are simply testing the waters for any chances of a good catch.
Takeaway
Maybe they’re just bored and want a change of scenery. I wouldn’t go into detail anymore. But you know what that means when you get this kind of answer.
Recap
The question I shared isn’t the quick fix. But the reason I find it crucial to ask it is that it breeds a new set of questions. It makes us see if a person is the right fit. You can assess preparedness, dedication, character, and skill.
More than skills, you must also evaluate their attitude and character. How did they conduct themselves during the screening process? Were they humble or overbearing? How did they answer the questions? Pay attention whether they say things politely or condescendingly.
This is my go-to question for all my interviews. But you should pay attention to the non-verbal signs as well. How do they sit, how do they stare? Does their voice show they’re passionate or they can’t wait for the interview to end?
Moreover, there are many ways to answer that question. Those three mentioned are the most common ones I have encountered so far.
So, how did you prepare for this interview? You can expect to receive any of the following answers I shared.
- I prepared by researching X, or reviewing Y.
- I prepared by checking X or Y.
- “I didn’t prepare.” or “Not much actually.”
Try it. Let me know how it works for you. I hope it leads you to the right person who would join your team. Cheers!
