The Future of Interviewing

I hate the interview question: tell me about a time you failed at something.

Let’s flip this. Instead of dredging up someone’s biggest failure, a more insightful approach is to ask, “What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a challenge you faced?” This isn’t just semantics. It’s about shifting the focus from the failure itself to the growth and insight gained. You’re not probing for a confession; you’re looking for evidence of resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness.

What you want is to understand how they’ve turned a setback into a setup for a comeback. This question is a litmus test for emotional intelligence and maturity. It reveals how they process experiences, learn from them, and apply those lessons moving forward. It’s not about glorifying failure; it’s about valuing the wisdom forged in its fire.

Remember, in the theater of business and life, it’s not the mistakes that define us, but how we respond to them.

Let’s Ask Better Interview Questions

Let’s cut to the chase: Better interview questions aren’t just a nicety, they’re a necessity. We’re not in the business of small talk; we’re here to unearth the diamonds in the rough. A mundane question gets you a mundane answer, and mundane doesn’t cut it in the high-stakes game of talent acquisition.

When you ask insightful, probing questions, you’re not just filling a slot; you’re investing in your company’s most valuable asset — human capital. These questions go beyond the resume; they delve into the character, adaptability, and problem-solving skills of the candidate. They reveal the person behind the professional facade.

It’s about peeling back the layers to discover if this person can ride the waves of change, innovate, and contribute to your company’s culture and growth. Remember, in the race of business, you don’t need passengers; you need drivers. And the right questions at the interview stage are your best shot at separating the wheat from the chaff. This isn’t just recruitment; it’s strategic talent alignment. Better questions lead to better hires, and better hires are the lifeblood of any thriving business. So, ask boldly, listen intently, and choose wisely. Your next game-changer might just be one question away.

The Repercussions of Being Awesome

Better, more positive interview questions aren’t just fluff; they’re a strategic move. They create an environment where the candidate feels valued, not just scrutinized. It’s not a trial; it’s a dialogue.

When you throw out those typical, cliché questions, you’re basically signaling that you’re going through the motions. But when you ask insightful, positive questions, you’re telling the candidate, “Hey, I see you as a whole person, not just a set of skills or a walking resume.”

This approach shifts the dynamic. It’s no longer about catching someone off-guard or spotlighting their weaknesses. Instead, you’re giving them a platform to showcase their strengths, their growth, and their potential. You’re tapping into their story, their motivations, their aspirations. And guess what? That’s where the gold is.

What happens next? The candidate walks away feeling respected and engaged. They’re thinking, “This is a place that gets it. They’re looking for real people, not just human capital.” And in today’s cutthroat talent market, that feeling? It’s a competitive edge. You’re not just filling a position; you’re building a relationship. And in the grand chess game of business, relationships are queen.

So, bottom line: Positive questions lead to positive experiences. They open the door to richer conversations and deeper insights. And that, my friends, is how you win the talent war. Not with interrogation, but with conversation. Not with skepticism, but with genuine interest. Welcome to the future of interviewing.

Brian Fink is the author of Talk Tech To Me. He takes on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplifies them for the modern recruiter. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of technical recruiting with a unique perspective — a perspective intended to help you find, engage, and partner with professionals.