I have a million interview stories, because between your dad and me we interviewed for a million jobs or were the interviewer. I was once asked at an interview for an executive assistant position the most recent business book I had read and what I had learned from it. In truth, the answer was “are you kidding me? I read Nora Robert’s and Kristen Hannah.” However, I had just read “Leadership” by Rudy Giuliani and managed to cobble a response. Boy, that didn’t age well. My husband once did a phone interview with a recent university of Michigan grad,who said he couldn’t possibly work in Lansing, the home of Michigan State. Mike said “ok” and hung up.
I'll sometimes ask applicants at the end of an interview what they're reading and if they'd recommend it. Not a specific business book, but just whatever they're reading if they think other people should read it too. I ask because (1) I'm generally curious if people are reading interesting books that I should be reading and (2) I like to hear how people recommend things. I don't ask it all the time, but it's one of my go-to questions.
I once asked a colleague of mine in HR if it was an unfair question--some people simply don't like to read. She gave me a great response. If an applicant says they don't read very much, a follow-up question might be, "OK, share with me, then, what you turn to instead to learn new things." I've never had to use it, but I think it's a great back up to have at the ready.
I think the robotic HR thing stems from a couple of issues:
1) most of the interviewers are not the ones who will actually work with the person
2) in virtual cases, it may actually be a bot and not a real human…
I also am not sure I would call sales appointments “interviews” in that interviews are taking a need and filling it. Interviewers need the fill a position that the interviewee wants.
In sales/fundraising/asking for donations, there is not a need on both ends; instead, only 1 person feels the need to make a connection, while the other may likely feel put out. (Maybe that’s the key to successful fundraising: creating a “need” for the donor).
Interesting. Maybe interviewing (and being interviewed) is at its best when we're both forthcoming with what that "need" is. Both in interviews and in fundraising. I need to think about this more. Thanks, Angda!
I would imagine someone would need to speak creatively in an initial interview regardless of if the interviewer suggested it or not, if they can't build rapport to that level beyond what's on their resume or don't take the risk, maybe it is on them?
This makes good sense to me, Mitch. You've got me thinking about who actually controls the exchange. You'd think it'd be the interviewer, but the applicant might be the one who drives the dynamic of the exchange. At the end of the day--and I'm thinking through yours and others responses, here--I think I'm generally prone to follow the cues of applicants during an interview. If they're excited, I'll be excited too. If they seem bored, I'll pick up on that lack of energy, too, and it'll probably show.
But the same goes for the interviewer, right? I once interviewed for a faculty job and a member of the search committee looked at my materials and said something shitty like, "So this is...uh...your research? Really?" I immediately knew from how he posed that one question I really didn't want to work with him for the next 25 years. No amount of creativity from me was going to soften his boredom in that interview.
I’ve been on a ton of hiring committees, and the question I always ask to get a glimpse into their personality is: “Tell us about your favorite teacher and how they made a difference in your life.” (We are an educational organization.) The answer to this question has often been the deciding factor between two candidates. And let me tell you, I’ve heard some doozies!
Nice. That's a great question--it's both personal and can give some insight into how they view your organization and why they're applying. The question covers a lot of ground. I wonder if a "tell me about a memorable experience you had with a donor" might do the same.
What Kaitlyn is referring to, dear readers, is another visit to campus and another interview by students a few years after what I talk about in this post. Wes (Kaitlyn's husband) and two other students took me to lunch. I don't remember what Wes asked, but I remember he ate pizza and didn't say much. I tried to get the students to tell me what they didn't like about the university (everything I had heard was to rah-rah to be believable). Speak up, Wes! Do you remember what we talked about the first time we met over a decade ago? I remember what you ate. Do you remember what I ate.
I have fuzzy memories of that meeting (except that I thought you would be a good fit) but maybe I said my least favorite thing about the university was the sub-par pizza. And the rah-rah attitude. I want to say you ate a burger but that seems like a bold choice for an interview?
I 100% promise you I didn't order a burger. Could you get a burger in the Student Union then? I remember you were quiet and I was like "what's this guy eating the pizza thinking?" Maybe I was eating pizza so I seemed relatable to the youth
I have a million interview stories, because between your dad and me we interviewed for a million jobs or were the interviewer. I was once asked at an interview for an executive assistant position the most recent business book I had read and what I had learned from it. In truth, the answer was “are you kidding me? I read Nora Robert’s and Kristen Hannah.” However, I had just read “Leadership” by Rudy Giuliani and managed to cobble a response. Boy, that didn’t age well. My husband once did a phone interview with a recent university of Michigan grad,who said he couldn’t possibly work in Lansing, the home of Michigan State. Mike said “ok” and hung up.
I'll sometimes ask applicants at the end of an interview what they're reading and if they'd recommend it. Not a specific business book, but just whatever they're reading if they think other people should read it too. I ask because (1) I'm generally curious if people are reading interesting books that I should be reading and (2) I like to hear how people recommend things. I don't ask it all the time, but it's one of my go-to questions.
I once asked a colleague of mine in HR if it was an unfair question--some people simply don't like to read. She gave me a great response. If an applicant says they don't read very much, a follow-up question might be, "OK, share with me, then, what you turn to instead to learn new things." I've never had to use it, but I think it's a great back up to have at the ready.
I think the robotic HR thing stems from a couple of issues:
1) most of the interviewers are not the ones who will actually work with the person
2) in virtual cases, it may actually be a bot and not a real human…
I also am not sure I would call sales appointments “interviews” in that interviews are taking a need and filling it. Interviewers need the fill a position that the interviewee wants.
In sales/fundraising/asking for donations, there is not a need on both ends; instead, only 1 person feels the need to make a connection, while the other may likely feel put out. (Maybe that’s the key to successful fundraising: creating a “need” for the donor).
Interesting. Maybe interviewing (and being interviewed) is at its best when we're both forthcoming with what that "need" is. Both in interviews and in fundraising. I need to think about this more. Thanks, Angda!
I would imagine someone would need to speak creatively in an initial interview regardless of if the interviewer suggested it or not, if they can't build rapport to that level beyond what's on their resume or don't take the risk, maybe it is on them?
This makes good sense to me, Mitch. You've got me thinking about who actually controls the exchange. You'd think it'd be the interviewer, but the applicant might be the one who drives the dynamic of the exchange. At the end of the day--and I'm thinking through yours and others responses, here--I think I'm generally prone to follow the cues of applicants during an interview. If they're excited, I'll be excited too. If they seem bored, I'll pick up on that lack of energy, too, and it'll probably show.
But the same goes for the interviewer, right? I once interviewed for a faculty job and a member of the search committee looked at my materials and said something shitty like, "So this is...uh...your research? Really?" I immediately knew from how he posed that one question I really didn't want to work with him for the next 25 years. No amount of creativity from me was going to soften his boredom in that interview.
I’ve been on a ton of hiring committees, and the question I always ask to get a glimpse into their personality is: “Tell us about your favorite teacher and how they made a difference in your life.” (We are an educational organization.) The answer to this question has often been the deciding factor between two candidates. And let me tell you, I’ve heard some doozies!
Nice. That's a great question--it's both personal and can give some insight into how they view your organization and why they're applying. The question covers a lot of ground. I wonder if a "tell me about a memorable experience you had with a donor" might do the same.
I want to know what Wes asked you when he was a student all those years ago - was it thoughtful or stupid? Be honest!
What Kaitlyn is referring to, dear readers, is another visit to campus and another interview by students a few years after what I talk about in this post. Wes (Kaitlyn's husband) and two other students took me to lunch. I don't remember what Wes asked, but I remember he ate pizza and didn't say much. I tried to get the students to tell me what they didn't like about the university (everything I had heard was to rah-rah to be believable). Speak up, Wes! Do you remember what we talked about the first time we met over a decade ago? I remember what you ate. Do you remember what I ate.
I have fuzzy memories of that meeting (except that I thought you would be a good fit) but maybe I said my least favorite thing about the university was the sub-par pizza. And the rah-rah attitude. I want to say you ate a burger but that seems like a bold choice for an interview?
I 100% promise you I didn't order a burger. Could you get a burger in the Student Union then? I remember you were quiet and I was like "what's this guy eating the pizza thinking?" Maybe I was eating pizza so I seemed relatable to the youth
If she really wanted to blow minds-ask the Screw, Marry, Kill question instead.😜 That’ll get the conversation rollin’!