I’ve never liked job interview questions. They feel too safe and stale. Most questions prompt answers with phrases like “optimized productivity” or “reorganized and restructured” or “increased efficiency.” Resume speak. Business school language. Boring.
I want to hear a story. I want to get a glimpse behind the resume and see the person–full of flaws, quirks, fears, unique-eyes, and passions.
So, if you could interview your favorite author, artist, leader, speaker, or interesting figure, what you ask him or her?
I think the most interesting stories involve change, failure, or some sort of struggle. A story where everything goes right isn’t really interesting, probably because it isn’t based in reality.
I’m always curious about what books people are reading or which books have really influenced them. I think most people who read have at least one to two that changed their worldview.
Also like to know if people can change their opinions. Every smart person has changed their mind about something. You can’t grow if you can’t admit when you’re wrong.
Persistance is important. If the applicant had an example of getting rejected and then finding a way to persevere, that would be impressive.
Being able to see the big picture and strategy is often overlooked. Anyone can do tactics, but they don’t result to much if there isn’t some larger strategy and objective behind it. Maybe make a fake example and ask them to prepare a campaign in 5 minutes.
One of my favorite interview questions from someone else comes from Sergi Brin at Google. He’s known for asking people to teach him something he doesn’t know in 5 minutes. That way if the interview doesn’t go well, he at least learns something new.
Thanks Ben.
1. What motivates you to write? Speak? Perform?
2. How do you keep going when you receive intensely negative criticism?
3. Do you ever set aside a project – to pick it up again years later?
4. What has been your most satisfying project?
Good additions.