Suppose I had a job interview that went like this:
So Bill, what were your regrets at your last job?
You
know, there are always regrets. But let me tell you about some of the good things I did there. I introduced three new products, significantly expanded retail distribution and built a great team. I don't regret those things a bit.
Why did you leave your last job?
We
all leave eventually, one way or another. But during my tenure we doubled sales every year, built an IP portfolio and created a licensing program. You might also be interested in my philosophy of
managing people. I like to inspire them to do great things. I know it may sound
corny, but (sniff, sniff) I believe in people.
How does your experience relate to this position?
I'm glad you asked me that. My experience will help me a lot, and when I get the job, you'll see that. I will increase revenue and lower costs. The stock price will skyrocket and morale will be really high. That's what this company needs and that's what I stand for. From what I know about the other candidates, they're against all of those things.
OK, but what skills do you bring to the party?
What do I bring to the party? You know, when I was a kid, we used to have birthday parties in my back yard. My mom would bake the cake from scratch. We'd reuse the candles until they were worn out. Mom grew up on a farm, and her brother Edwin had a crewcut. He married a woman whose cousin used to shoot pool down at Louie's. One time I met a guy named Louie while we were eating pie at a neighborhood diner. He asked me what I thought about the future. I'm sure he made less than fifty thousand dollars a year. That's why I'm right for this job. I can relate to people.
Uh, thanks. Do you have any questions for me?
Yes. But the good news is, I have even more answers. I can promise you this--I'll have an answer to your marketing questions. I'll have an answer to your finance questions. And I'll even have an answer to your operations questions. If there's one thing I will bring to this position, it's answers. No question about that.
So, do you think I'd get the job? Then why do we let candidates off the hook when they all make it standard practice to barely acknowledge the questions in a debate? There has to be a better way.
