Hiring Manager Uses Clever Test to Decide on Unsuspecting Job Candidates

Interviewers are known to use several tricks and tests to help evaluate potential employees. Some of these candidates pass with flying colors. Some have no idea they’re being tested and fail miserably.

One of the more popular strategies is silence. The interviewer will remain silent to see how the candidate reacts.

Another is being overly friendly. This causes the candidate to feel more comfortable and maybe reveal something that they may not normally share in an interview.

Then there’s the one where they leave you sitting with the receptionist. This accomplishes two things. One is to see how patient you are, and the other is to see if you share anything with the receptionist that you may not share with the interviewer. Some interviewers will eavesdrop on the candidate and receptionist’s conversation to gather helpful information.

Here’s one that you may not have heard about. Glasgow Live recently reported a strategy that a boss uses called the “Coffee Cup Test.” He administers this test to potential employees at his former company Xero.

When he was Managing Director, Trent Innis said, “I will always take you for a walk down to one of our kitchens and somehow you always end up walking away with a drink. Then we take that back, and have our interview. One of the things I’m always looking for at the end of the interview is does the person want to take that empty cup back to the kitchen.”

He shared how people can develop skills, gain knowledge and experience, but attitude is what’s really important. “The attitude that we talk a lot about is the concept of ‘wash your coffee cup’.”

The kitchens are almost always clean and sparkling at Xero. He says that it’s very much the concept of washing your coffee cup.

He does this test to make sure that they’re actually going to fit into the culture, and really take on everything that they should be doing.

Trent Innes claims he would never hire anyone who failed his coffee test.  He believes it shows more about a person’s attitude than any interview question possibly could.

You and I may agree or disagree with him and his method. However, one thing we can all agree on is that since this technique has gone viral, he going to have to find another trick.

Innis is now Chief Growth Officer at SiteMinder.

If you’ve never worked from home, you probably think it’s much easier than having to get ready every morning, making sure the kids are taken care of, driving into the office, and being off working all day.

Well, even though working from home has its drawbacks, it usually is much easier for most. My wife has been fortunate enough to be able to do so for the past ten years, and it has made life much easier for her and the family.

The same is true for many other moms who enjoy the flexibility of working from home. They are also very aware of the difficulties involved. For example, you’re working, and trying to do that with kids in the house for the summer makes it much more challenging.

You have to find the perfect balance between your responsibilities as an employee and being a mom. Kids don’t always understand that even though you’re in the house, sometimes you can’t be disturbed for any reason other than an emergency. It’s worth mentioning something you already know, your kids’ definition of an emergency can differ greatly from yours.

So let’s talk about CafeMom.com, and the seven “rules for success” that may be helpful for you and other moms in a similar situation.

Mimi Nicklin is an author and works full-time as the CEO of an ad agency. She works from home and also travels with her family. She’s developed the following methods to make it work for her and the rest of her house.

You need to be comfortable, in an area that’s well-lit and enclosed, so you have the emotional space, as well as the physical space to focus on work and show your family that you’re in “work mode.” You need to set a clear boundary.

You need to follow a consistent daily schedule so you stay organized and manage your time efficiently. Maybe you need to set specific work hours, plan regular breaks and schedule times for family activities. However, you should be open to adjusting it to accommodate all involved.

You may be awesome at your job and great at being a mom, but you should keep in mind that you really can’t do everything. Some things may have to wait. You need to set realistic goals with work and family responsibilities.

Working from home can be isolating, but it’s important to check in with your coworkers. "Regular check-ins, casual virtual coffee dates, and team-building conversations can help you stay connected."

Some people have a hard time doing this, but doing everything on your own can be equally difficult. Asking for a little help from family members or your team at work is a sign of strength.

It’s easy to focus on the struggles, but you need to acknowledge your achievements and celebrate the win with all involved. This will keep you positive so you have the right mindset for the next day.
For the full article go to CafeMom.com