Interviewing Job Candidates the VeraSage Way

May 28

My wife, Christine, recently asked me a great question, "Have you thought about developing interview questions to see what candidates thoughts are on hiring people with the core belief (or open to the possibility) for these crazy new ideas? For example, value pricing, service level agreements, firm of the future?"

Honestly, I was stumped. I really had not.

She even provided me with a great potential question - Tell me about a time when you purchased something and wanted to know the details of the costs behind it.

This really got me thinking that we need a set of potential interview questions for firm who have made the leap to being a firm of the future. So, in addition to Christine's first question above, I present a first cut list of potential interview questions for knowledge workers.

Note: TMAATW stands for "Tell me about a time when."

TMAATW you solved a particularly difficult problem.
TMAATW you had to bend or even break a rule at work to get your job done.
TMAATW you had to deal with an irate customer.
Tell me about you favorite customer.
Tell me about the last business book you have read.
What are your top three books of all time? Why?
Would you rather your performance be judged or measured? Why?
TMAATW you felt judged unfairly.
What is more important to you efficiency or effectiveness?
What is more important the idea or its execution?
When do you normally do your holiday shopping?
Who are your heroes? Why?
Who do you think is the most influential Austrian economist? (OK, I am kidding. (Sort of.))