Interviews are dreaded by many job seekers, particularly the infamous “curveball” questions used by recruiting managers and CEOs. The CEO and creator of JKR Windows, an American window installation company, Jefferson K. Rogers, has drawn notice for his unusual interview technique: a trick question intended to weed out unsuitable applicants.
“Impossible” Question: An Assessment of Sincerity and Coachability
Rogers posted his unique approach to interviews on his TikTok channel. He asks a question that he is certain the interviewee will be unable to respond to right away. Although the exact question is still unknown, Rogers stresses that there is no “right” response. The twist is this: The CEO is more interested in the candidate’s approach to the unknown than in knowledge.
What He Looks For:
Sincerity: Is the applicant willing to acknowledge when they don’t know the solution?
Openness: Are they amenable to picking up new skills?
Coachability: Are they open to direction and instruction?
A candidate who tries to make up an answer, in Rogers’ opinion, is showing signs of a potentially troublesome personality—someone who is resistive to learning or hesitant to acknowledge their shortcomings.
Divergent Responses on Social Media
Although Rogers describes this technique as a useful means of determining fit, TikTok users had a variety of reactions.
Supporters: Some argue that the strategy is advantageous because it shows a candidate’s coachability and willingness to learning.
Critics: According to others, it’s a bad strategy that could stop competent applicants from attempting to solve a problem or show their resolve by trying to provide a response. Furthermore, others consider the approach to be manipulative, arguing that it puts a particular response ahead of a true comprehension of the role.
Different Methods for Evaluating Fit
Although the “impossible question” generates discussion, there are alternative methods to assess a candidate’s fit for a role:
Behavioral Interviewing: Highlighting the candidate’s prior experiences and how they responded to particular circumstances can provide important context for understanding how they solve problems and approach new tasks.
Skills-Based Evaluations: An applicant’s suitability for a position can be determined immediately by testing pertinent abilities such technical proficiency, communication, and critical thought.
Fit Between the Work Style and Values of the Company: An interview’s questions and exchanges can reveal whether a candidate’s work style and values complement the company’s culture.
The success of any interview technique ultimately depends on the particular position and business. Although Rogers’ deceptive question might be useful to his organization, it’s crucial to think about other approaches to guarantee a thorough interview process that draws in and selects the top candidates.
A 17-year-old boy who works part-time at Pizza Hut drives up to park in front of the house in a beautiful Porsche
A 17–year–old boy working a part–time job at Pizza Hut shocked his parents when he drove up to their house in a glossy Porsche. Their eyes wide with surprise, they immediately grilled him.
“Where did this car come from?” they inquired, voice tinged with astonishment.
“I picked it up today,” responded the boy, unfazed.
His mother, increasingly anxious, pressed on, “How on earth did you manage to buy a Porsche? We know the hefty price tag on those, and your job certainly doesn’t cover it!”
Coolly, the boy detailed, “It’s second-hand, and the deal was too good to pass up. It cost me just 20 dollars.”
Aghast, his mother asked, “Who would sell a Porsche for just 20 dollars?”
“A woman a few doors down,” he explained. “She’s a recent arrival to our street. When I delivered her pizza, she offered to sell me the Porsche for 20 dollars.”
Perplexed and concerned, his parents made their way to the woman’s house, seeking clarity. They found her serenely gardening.
The father, attempting to stay calm, stated, “We are the parents of the young man you sold a Porsche to for 20 dollars. We’re here to find out why.”
The woman paused her gardening, looked them in the eye, and explained, “This morning, my husband phoned me. I assumed he was in Florida for business, but actually, he has eloped to Hawaii with his secretary and plans to stay there.”
Bewildered, the boy’s mother queried, “What does that have to do with selling a Porsche for 20 dollars?”
The woman, cracking a wry smile, responded, “He asked me to sell his Porsche and send him the proceeds. So, I simply did as he requested.”
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