Video:How to Find Out if a Job Candidate Is Motivated

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Transcript:How to Find Out if a Job Candidate Is Motivated

Hi, this is Angela Lussier for About.com, and today you'll learn how to find out if a job candidate is motivated.

Tips to Find Out if a Job Candidate Is Motivated

It's hard to tell if a job candidate is motivated by their resume. You need to ask the right questions in the interview to find out what you're dealing with. I have a technique I've been using for about ten years, and it's never failed me.

The way I do it is when I'm making the phone call to set up the interview, I tell the person to bring something to the interview that represents themselves. They usually ask, what do you mean by that? And I say, it's whatever it means to you, and then we end the phone call and I wait to see what they bring in with them.

Examples of Items Brought in to Show a Job Candidate Is Motivated

Take these hiking boots. One gentlemen brought these in, put them down on the table, and said, "the reason I brought these in today is that I feel that life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey. I've put thousands of miles on these boots, and I want to make sure that you know about me that I'm not all about the end game - I'm about how we get there and about accomplishing things the best way possible."

I brought something in that represents me if someone asked me to bring something in that best represents myself. This is my house key. Every day when I leave my house, or I get to my house, I put my key in the lock and I have to slowly turn it. If I do it really fast, it does not lock. What that reminds me is that every day, I need to slow down and appreciate every moment. And that's important to me, because it reminds me to learn and stay present in what I'm doing.

Meaningful Items Show a Candidate Is Motivated

Another item I brought that someone brought in an interview to me in the past are a pair of swim goggles. He was a member of his swim team in high school, and he brought the goggles because they helped him to see his future. They're a tool for his success.

This person brought a watering can to the interview. And the reason for this is that she's the person who helps things grow. She's a key component in the company to help make sure everything's moving forward, and nothing ever stagnates or dies.

You can quickly find out in five minutes or less whether this person is creative, motivated, dedicated, and taking the time to really solve the problems you put in front of them.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.