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| [image credit: Cao135 on pixabay.com] |
During the hypergrowth phase of AT&T Solutions Systems Integration Division, I found one question to be the most useful.
(these
were face-to-face interviews, with candidates that had senior level IT
expertise and experience, in our HQs in Chantilly Virginia)
"Go
to the whiteboard and draw a systems integration diagram, showing as
much detail as you can - for the domain of [x]" (with [x] being a domain
reflected in their resume experience).
These
candidates were being evaluated for customer-facing consulting
leadership roles. Their ability to think on their feet, ask questions,
and the depth of their knowledge - all were critical to the positions
being staffed.
There was no trick question.
No right answer.
It was a conversation.
A dialogue.
They were free to ask questions, and probe/challenge the request - to explore the boundary space.
Out of hundreds of candidates interviewed - a number were hired.
Only two impressed - with depth, breadth, detail, and comprehensive insights.
When
interviewing such candidates - the interviewer acts as a sounding stone [1] - discerning the resonance between fact and fiction - for the tone that
does not ring true.
The experience and
intuition of the interviewer, the expertise & confidence of the
candidate - and their ability to persuade and influence - dynamic in the
moment of the human-to-human communications flow.
No AI can assess that.
Footnotes:
