Interview Instincts

“Most rock and roll journalism is by people who can’t write, interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read.”

–     Frank Zappa (1940-1993), American music icon

And, so it can be with job interviewing, too.  We want to believe we’re getting the “real story,” and we think we’re asking all the right questions.

Ultimately, though, once the job is won, the chosen candidate has to perform.  Make the hard decisions.  Execute.

Behavioral interviewing can get us close(r).  Zeroing in on specifics helps, too.  About fifteen years ago I “perfected” an interview template for sales types and sales leaders.  It’s pretty danged good, if I say so myself, but the best hires I’ve made have been when my instincts are screaming “hire this person,” and my best passes have been when my instincts were screaming, “No!  No!  No, no no!” even though the interviews had be aced.

If, when we close our eyes, we can see the candidate doing the absolute hardest part of the job flawlessly, we’re on the right track.

There are those who will tell you they have talent selection down to a science.  They’re full of crap.  When we get it right, it’s about one-third science, one-third diligence and one-third instinct — so don’t discount that last third when it’s time to hire the next difference maker in your team.