Curious Hires
Amy and I had dinner with two of our close friends last night. The husband, Mike, oversees several businesses and is brilliant at finding great people. When the topic of hiring came up, we shared ideas. He told me the number one thing he looks for is someone who is curious. Mike explained that a curious person will always figure out a way to learn and get a job done. But someone who is not curious will simply do what they’re told and stop when they hit a road block.
Being curious, I asked how they determine if a potential hire is curious. Mike said they always place an unusual object in the room that is definitely out of place (like a big purple ceramic frog). If the interviewee doesn’t ask about the frog, he or she doesn’t get hired.
What’s your best hiring tip?
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Wow, I’d never thought of curiosity as a prerequisite for hiring! But it makes a lot of sense, especially since curiosity is often the gateway to creativity. Thanks for sharing the insight!
Sounds like the old “conduct the interview at a lunch and if the interviewee uses salt without tasting the food first, don’t hire� technique.
My worst mistake WAS hiring to make others happy, that won’t happen again. I’ll be sure and try the ‘curiosity’ technique next time.
I’ll bet all the cats got hired though.
I look for honesty and a sense of humor about themselves. I’ll use questions about greatest failure, biggest risk, worst mistake etc. When I get the sense that they are not managing or spinning their personal growing pains, then I think I’m on to something. Ministry it too challenging to surround yourself with people who can’t laugh at themselves and be honest about their areas of growth.
I am not in the process of even being paid much less hiring but this one I will need to remember.
Some of the best advice I heard was from Bill Hybels. He said that if you did not feel a connection with a person in the first few moments of meeting them, don’t hire them. I think it was also him that said the moment you wish that you didn’t hire a person, you should let them go.
Blessings!
Scot
One of the last questions I like to ask a job candidate is, “what music are you listening to in your car right now?” It’s not a make-or-break question. But the answer does give you some good insight into personality and interests. Plus, I’ve found out about some great new bands this way!