The 6 Reasons I Love This Interview Question
Carlos Caro
Founder @NMG | Affiliate marketing for lenders | Former Credit Karma and Capital One
My favorite question for a 45 minute interview is:
“Tell me about an accomplishment you’re really proud of.”
I love this question because…
1. It Welcomes Creativity
I mostly hear about business accomplishments, but I’ve heard personal, charitable, family, spiritual, and health stories too. This question can go in any direction, and I often tell candidates that they don’t necessarily have to share a work-related example.
I once got a story about a side-hustle selling flip-flops in Hawaii…
2. It Stirs Up Good Vibes
Who doesn’t love talking about something they’re really proud of?
When someone is in their comfort zone, I find the conversation and connection ends up resembling a real work relationship more closely.
3. It Focuses On Results
To answer the question you have to talk about tangible results.
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There is simply no way to answer this question with generic best-practices and platitudes. The candidate simply has to get into real stuff they’ve done. Candidates who haven’t accomplished big things in their career struggle with the question, and that’s a valuable signal for you as the hiring manager.
4. It Opens The Door For A Deep Discussion
You’re now in the candidate’s sweet spot. Something they feel great about and performed well. You can go a mile deep on the topic and without having the candidate feel like you’re grilling them.
And, if they can’t go a mile deep into the details of the accomplishment they’re most proud of, what does that say about their attention to detail? Or, is it a clue they’re describing someone else’s accomplish and not their own?
5. It’s Efficient
If you get an answer you’re not impressed with, the interview is kind of over, isn’t? What could turn it around from here?
6. It Makes Interview Prep Easy
This plus all the follow-up questions can consume a 30 to 45 minute 1st interview, after the standard intros.
*****
What are your favorite interview questions? Why?
Self-admittedly unique and quirky, I am passionate about self-improvement, motivated by self-awareness, inspired by self-recognition, and encouraged by self-reflection.
2 年I like this question!! I’ve recently been in the INTERVIEWEE chair and I loved the questions that allowed them to get to know me as a person. Why not because the person you are is a direct reflection of the worker you are, at least in theory. Mind you….. sometimes when I am at work I have more patience in general and I feel like want to be more/ better. I will want to read this book for sure!
CEO of Eagle Data | ex Capital One
2 年I just ran through a couple of my own favorite past projects in my head! I like to ask candidates to discuss a time they helped a colleague who was struggling; the essence of high-performing teams is based largely on the relationships between the people on that team.
Talent @ ???⊥ | Hype Man ??
2 年Vibes, vibes, vibes.
Wellness Educator
2 年Great question Carlos. Enjoyed reading your explanation too!