I was recently interviewed by a Bay Area company putting together a process and procedure toolbox to help startups efficiently scale. We were talking on the topic of recruiting and talent acquisition, trying to address what parts of the process could be standardized. Interview questions were discussed and I had an epiphany. Like a legit, “Ah HA!” moment, regarding a super powerful question to ask during all interviews.
This one question needs to be asked by both the candidate and the hiring manager during the interview process. If you struggle to imagine the answer being “Yes” then I am going to argue that this is not going to be a fit.
The one question is…
”Can I be a fan of this person?”
When I think back on the hires that I have made and the positions that I have recruited for, the best fits have come when both sides have said “Yes.”
What is a fan, you may ask, in the context of this discussion?
A fan is someone who respects the ability of the person and the quality of their work. Simple as that. Think about good bosses or that “get stuff done” direct report that can take a handoff and you don’t have to worry about the outcome. In both cases, you can probably imagine that it would be easy to call yourself a fan of that person’s work.
This question can be asked regardless of the position or industry. Consider taking the time to think about the great hires or great bosses and write down why you were a fan of how they did things. Take this list and reflect on the attributes that potentially affected why you feel this way about these people. Use these notes to help you look at your future engagements in a bit of a different way.
Be a fan and I promise you that you will enjoy work more!
Written by: Austin Meyermann, Founder and President of Hunter Crown, LLC
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