4 ms·

I try to keep things pretty playful, I have a bunch of ice breakers I've learned over the years (stranded on island, what do you bring, what would you do if you

I try to keep things pretty playful, I have a bunch of ice breakers I've learned over the years (stranded on island, what do you bring, what would you do if you had a million dollars/what would you do if you had only one dollar). From there, I dig into things that may lead to more interesting dialogue. This sounds really one sided, but I try to provide my own input if the candidate doesn't ask for it (nerves, just shy, it's all good). The more open I am, the more open they are, and we both leave with a better understanding.

FooBarBizBazz 6y ago
I find your "playful" system interesting. Personally, when I interview I try to observe the physiognomy of the subject. I look for defects like weak chins or sloping brows. An informal survey of social opinions is also useful. If the candidate asks "How old is your grandmother?", he's inquiring after your Freemason's lodge number, which is a reliable sign of a good fellow. As you say, you should always keep the atmosphere light and informal. A snifter of brandy, for example, never goes wrong.
- cutemonster 6y ago
  Why so negative? I wonder if you didn't like some of the other things in that job application process -- but that doesn't mean that this part, about asking "unexpected philosophical questions" would be bad. You'll meet the candidate anyway, right, for a walk, or over a lunch, and what are you going to talk about anyway, then. Might as well make that conversation a bit "deeper" so as to get more info about each other (goes both ways I suppose).
  - FooBarBizBazz 6y ago
    There are two issues: 1. a disrespect for psychological boundaries. 2. a system that seems primarily to probe for cultural markers.
cutemonster 6y ago
Ok, sounds like (well, like you said) questions that speed up the getting to know each other process, in that one doesn't talk just about the weather and "what's your favorite language". Seems like a useful tool, to me, if combined with more standard things like coding skill tests etc. Thanks for the idea. Do you answer such questions too? If the candidate later asks you "What would you bring? And do with a million dollars"

FooBarBizBazz 6y ago

I find your "playful" system interesting. Personally, when I interview I try to observe the physiognomy of the subject. I look for defects like weak chins or sloping brows. An informal survey of social opinions is also useful. If the candidate asks "How old is your grandmother?", he's inquiring after your Freemason's lodge number, which is a reliable sign of a good fellow. As you say, you should always keep the atmosphere light and informal. A snifter of brandy, for example, never goes wrong.

cutemonster 6y ago
Why so negative? I wonder if you didn't like some of the other things in that job application process -- but that doesn't mean that this part, about asking "unexpected philosophical questions" would be bad. You'll meet the candidate anyway, right, for a walk, or over a lunch, and what are you going to talk about anyway, then. Might as well make that conversation a bit "deeper" so as to get more info about each other (goes both ways I suppose).
- FooBarBizBazz 6y ago
  There are two issues: 1. a disrespect for psychological boundaries. 2. a system that seems primarily to probe for cultural markers.

cutemonster 6y ago

Ok, sounds like (well, like you said) questions that speed up the getting to know each other process, in that one doesn't talk just about the weather and "what's your favorite language". Seems like a useful tool, to me, if combined with more standard things like coding skill tests etc. Thanks for the idea. Do you answer such questions too? If the candidate later asks you "What would you bring? And do with a million dollars"