Is it 20 Year's Experience Or One Year's Experience Twenty Times Over?

Continuing on the discussion from last week, how do you interview to find the right person? I remember a senior executive that I was interviewing say "well, I have more than 20 years experience you know". I couldn't resist so I asked - is it one year's experience twenty times over or is it actually twenty year's experience? Even with the proper mentoring and work challenges along the way, experience is only a data point. If the individual had poor mentoring, experience may mean very poor habits.


So how do I interview? We all maintain a certain facade until we are put under pressure. Then we revert to our natural self. It is true in business relationships as much as in personal relationships. I am sure we have all encountered people in our lives who have turned into someone else when under pressure.


Often times, asking "why?" five to seven times in a row is a good way of creating tension.  For example,
Why did you want to leave your current role? Why is that? Why? Why do you think that happened? Why are you thinking that way? Why?...


I try to create situations of tension in the interview to get to see how a person really functions.
Then I ask questions that require them to self assess. Only then am I comfortable that I am seeing who they really are.


I have to go for now. Summer is finally showing up in Vancouver and it's about time for a bike ride. It has been a year since I last rode my Cervelo road bike and I am determined to get back into riding again. 


If you find this discussion interesting, check-in again this week as I will add a few more points to this topic.
Bye for now.