“Are you a tool?” Reasons this isn’t a solid question.
Pulling from my archives. If you want to know more about job seeking, please join me at my Job Seeker webinar on March 13th, at 11:30 PST. I’ll be posting some oldie-and-still-relevant information, some updated information, and the like as I prepare to help people navigate the upcoming changes in looking for work.
This type of question, is what I like to call a “Clever Question.”
This question puts candidates in a tricky position. They need to generate a witty response and justify their choice, while somehow revealing their skills. But really, how does comparing a person to a tool help?
Asking someone to see themselves as an inanimate object, often something that can break or be replaced, feels limiting and misses the mark.
Sure, you might hear answers like “A Swiss Army Knife” to showcase versatility, but do we really need someone who thinks of themselves as a tiny tool with multiple functions? What companies truly need are specialists, as highlighted in “Who” by Geoffrey Smart.
And then there’s the hammer analogy. Without follow-up questions, assumptions can run wild, one might think a hammer symbolizes forcefulness when it could just as easily represent reliability and versatility in the hands of a skilled carpenter.
So, what’s a better approach?
Let’s dig deeper into candidates’ skills!
Instead of quirky questions, try asking:
- What’s the most valuable skill in your professional toolkit?
- Where did you learn this?
- How have you adapted it over time?
- What measurable impact did it have in your previous roles?
Let’s focus on proven results rather than clever quips.
After all, we want to hire candidates who can deliver real value, not just show off their quick wit!
Daava Mills (that’s me!) has been in the trenches of Recruiting and Retention for over 25 years. I love to help companies explore what works for them, not what other companies are doing.
If you are a company looking to connect with me, please do so at my Contact Page.
