The Real Way to Interview Someone

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
–Samuel Johnson

If you really want to know how your job candidate will fit in your organization, take him out to lunch. See how he treats the waitstaff. And when he leaves the interview, ask your receptionist and AA what they thought. Everyone can put on a happy face to potential colleagues, but it’s frontline people who can sniff out BS from across the room. Ask them.

Posted on June 16, 2008 by Frank Roche
Filed Under Interviewing

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laurie ruettimann 2 months ago 1 point
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True x100. Also, keep them waiting in the lobby for five minutes and have a spy. See how they react to the delay. :)

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Wally Bock 2 months ago 1 point
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Great point, Frank. Taking a candidate to lunch can tell you a lot about a person's manner, ability to handle social situations in a business context. And how they deal with wait staff at the restaurant and receptionists and other "unimportant" people around the office tell you a lot about character.

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Frank Roche 2 months ago 1 point
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Laurie, that's a good one. Nothing like putting someone on ice to see how cool they are.

Wally, it is about character, isn't it? There's something about that deep-down element that you can't teach or train in. When we get good ones, it's great for the organization.

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Chad Bordeaux 2 months ago 1 point
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Great tip. Another thing someone once told me that works great at our firm is that whenever possible, follow them out to their car. Peak inside. Usually the condition of the car reflects condition of how they work. If their car is cluttered with McDonald's wrappers and piles of trash in the floor board, they will likely be sloppy on the job as well. They will dress sloppier than everyone else, their work will be sloppier and contain more errors and there general attitude is likely to be more negative.

After I first heard this advice, I started reflecting upon the individuals that I have had work for me in the past. The best employees have always kept their vehicles clean and spotless. The worst - always messy and out of sorts.

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