Interviewing and onboarding.

Many years ago I was involved in conducting the second interview for a new Studio Assistant in Derby. However, I was running late and entered the meeting room flustered and unprepared. As it was my first time on the interviewing side of the table, I felt out of my comfort zone without any standard questions or procedures to follow. Nevertheless, the candidate was not put off, and I learned valuable lessons from the experience. Despite reading architecture at university for many years, I realized the need to develop complementary skills, such as recruitment and onboarding processes. Consequently, I read a book from Amazon and created a scoring matrix to help me. The more you do the better you get. I hate wasting my own time and candidates.

Recently, I heard Chris Evans on the radio discussing the best interview question. He mentioned a naval interview where they asked the candidate "What would you do to make me angry?" The candidate picked up a scale model of the aircraft hanger replicating the officer's vessel and smashed it on the floor. The officer smiled, and the candidate got the job. It shows the importance of being brave and creative in interviews.

As an icebreaker, I often ask candidates who their favourite architect, building, structure, or artist is, and what their favourite meal is. I believe that you cannot design on an empty stomach, so food is always a hot topic for me.

What is the best interview question you have been asked? Alternatively, what is your favourite question to ask candidates?