Recently, I have been interviewing people to work a night shift, for a company in London. In addition to the skills and experience of the candidates, I am interested in finding out what thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes they have and gaining insight into what motivates them. Unsurprisingly, I have my own style for getting the right people and talent for the positions on offer.
Interviews are difficult; we have very little time to impress and sell ourselves. We all make promises in job interviews, but do we keep them or do we keep them? Read on and let’s take a closer look at this.
It is important to recognize that the interviewer represents the entire company, including directors, managers, team members, as well as shareholders and stakeholders. Many of the questions asked in interviews are similar for all jobs. For example, what are your weaknesses and strengths? Do you prefer to work alone or in a team? What have been your most significant achievements? All of these questions can be prepared ahead of time so you can answer directly and with confidence.
Interviewing and hiring people to work within a given deadline, the night shift team can be particularly difficult. Night shifts attract a diverse crowd that may not fit into the normal nine-to-five corporate hours. Some people adjust well to a quasi-vampiric existence while others collapse after a few nights; It is a mentally, physically and emotionally demanding job. Appearances count for nothing; talent, attitude and stamina count for everything. With this in mind, the essential question is:
If we hired you, what could we trust you for, without fail?
How confidently and consistently could you answer this question? Would you say things like honesty, dependability, enthusiasm and determination, hard work, going the extra mile? Lots of people do, so I ask what these words and concepts mean to the interviewee. Then I write their answers in plain sight, so we’re both clear. I also note your confidence; body language, expression, tone of voice, skin tone, pulse, breathing, and eye contact.
I will then let the candidate know that I expect them to stay true to these written and agreed promises; They should always keep this in mind. I will also warn you that if you do not meet these promises and commitments, I will consider you to have sold me defective products, that do not do what they say they do or “what they say on the tin”. I will consider this a violation of the trade descriptions and expect a full refund.
We will all fall for our promises and commitments at some point; We are all fallible human beings. However, some of us are clearly more fallible than others. In business there is no end of people who will disappoint you, annoy you and waste your time. In a way, this is good news because if you can build a reputation for yourself as a person of integrity, you will stand out and shine amidst a sea of boring mediocrity.
What about other areas of our lives? Do we make similar promises to other people who are important to us? Do we give our answers with real conviction or are we just saying empty words and going through the motions?
And you? Are you a person of integrity and honor? Are you true to yourself? It is worth taking some time to think and consider. We all need to establish our character, our brand, our mission statement for work and life. In essence, what we stand for. Doing this well gives inner confidence; we are sure of who we are and where we are going.
Now suppose your current or future partner were to interview you and asked you the same question: what can I trust you for, without fail? How would you respond?
What would happen if your present or future son or daughter asked you the same question?
What about your mother and father?
Finally, stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself the same question.