“You don’t like the interview question?” Christopher asked, shifting in his chair. He had a list of questions to ask for an interview later that day. At the top of the list, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“Chris, every question, you ask, has to have a purpose in the interview,” I replied. “What specific piece of data are you trying to collect with that question?”

“I think it is important to find out where they are headed in life.”

“Chris, tell me again, what’s the role?”

“Project Manager.”

“How long are your typical projects?”

“Four to six weeks.”

“Chris, tell me how a fictitious, five-year-future snapshot will predict success as a Project Manager, working on projects that last four to six weeks?” The silence hung heavy. “Let’s change two things about your approach to questions. Instead of the future, ask about the past. Instead of a hypothetical, ask about a fact.” The quality of the responses to those questions will increase dramatically.
___
Our next online program – Hiring Talent is scheduled to kick off August 1, 2011. If you would like to find out more about the program or pre-register, follow this link.