A Powerful Probing Technique

The most important difference between a good interviewer and a master is the master’s ability to probe candidate responses carefully. Anyone can ask a good question, but not everyone knows how to dig beneath the surface answer, and find the whole truth.

One of the most powerful probing techniques is called The Magic Wand. This technique is ideal for candidates who have a history of job hopping, and a shady explanation for nearly every move.

For example, when asked what caused a previous job change, the candidate may say it was caused by “some differences” with her boss . . . or “slight misunderstandings,” etc. At this point, some interviewers will simply ask for more information. The candidate will typically reply with an equally vague answer.

Instead, the master interviewer will say, “If we had a magic wand, and could improve three things about that job so you would never want to leave, what would they be?” Now, instead of cornering the candidate, you are asking her to think creatively, which causes her to drop her defenses.

The candidate may now respond with, “My boss would be less demanding, my assistant would not have quit, and my coworkers would be more intelligent.” Now, you have a goldmine of information to dig into!

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Primus has used the DriveTest to sharpen its hiring process, making sure that those we hire have the innate level of desire necessary to aggressively develop new accounts. This test will continue to be critical in our efforts to hire only top producers.

Mr. Joe DiMaio
Senior Vice President of North America, Primus Telecommunications, Inc.

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