Candidates read all their interview answers from a script
A reader writes:
Last month I had a video interview with a candidate who surprised me. This was the second round of interviews, and I was tasked with asking some in-depth questions and providing some more technical context for the role.
It became clear very quickly, because we were on video, that the candidate was reading prepared notes on his screen. And not just quick reference of projects or previous work, but actually reading it like a script. Even when I tried to ask some follow-up questions that he couldn’t prepare for, he gave a brief answer before returning to the script.
I’ve experienced this with candidates before but never to this extent; It felt less like a conversational interview and more like a performance! I was tempted to intervene and ask her to leave the note, but I misjudged myself. He was clearly nervous, and I didn’t want to make it worse. But should I have said something?
I answer this question – and two others – today in Inc. In, where I’m revisiting letters that are buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding their responses). You You can read it here.
Other questions I’ll be answering there today include:
- How much should I tell my employee about why I am rejecting her significant other?
- The employee’s spooning is clearing up my misunderstanding.
