Think Like an Owner: The Interview
Over the last twenty-five years, I have conducted a couple thousand interviews for various positions at our computer company. Many candidates claim empathy is one of their strengths. Call me cynical, but I get suspicious when someone calls themselves empathetic, preferring to see their actions rather than hear their words.
These candidates declare they’re good at putting themselves in someone else’s shoes. But from my experience, I see very few people who understand what a business owner wants to see.
And, while I’m not the owner of our company, I have come to relaize that my biggest strength is that I care as if I own it.
A Promising Referral
Recently, a good friend referred a young college graduate to me, saying he was a terrific kid from a solid family. My friend had seen the boy and his siblings grow up with his kids. Seeing the potential, I fast-tracked his resume to the interview stage.
After a virtual interview, the boy came into our office for a final interview, which I joined. He was articulate, professional, and very likable. I could see that he enjoyed computer programming. I cringed when he called himself empathetic, but, as I said earlier, almost everyone says that nowadays. He had some experience, but, like many young candidates, there was a skills gap before he could produce quality, billable work for our customers.
I told him that he had some things to learn and his success largely depended on him. If he wanted to make it at our company, he would need to work some nights and weekends to close the gap and to get where he needed to be. He nodded, saying he understood.
The Offer
After the interview, our team decided we should move forward with an offer. During the application process, the boy had asked for $15,000 above our standard salary slot for someone of his experience/skill level. I told our team that he is young and doesn’t know the job market. I said we should offer him our typical amount for that entry-level role and not match what he wanted.
Over the weekend, our HR team forwarded the boy’s response to our offer. He had replied with, “Thank you so much for the offer! I’m very grateful that you are willing to invest time into training me up with the necessary skills, and should I work there, I will do my best to make that investment worthwhile!”
But then we started seeing his actions, not his words. He pushed back on our offer amount and asked for $5,000 more. He then requested an early review in August and asked what he should expect for a raise for “excellent performance merit.” I sighed and told HR I would call him back on Monday.
Reality Check
After a short prayer, I called the boy. I told him that I realized he was young and didn’t have much experience in these situations, but that I wanted to be honest and give him the full context of what was happening.
I told him that we get over 100 resumes EVERY DAY. Our HR team may have picked his resume from that pile to proceed to the next round, but likely not. But, because of my friend’s referral, he went to the next phase of our process. I said that while we see his potential, it’s not a slam dunk that he will make it at our company. I reminded him of my comments during his interview that he would need to work hard and put in extra time to be successful with us.
I said, “If I were you, and you have a good feeling about our company and feel it is right for you, then I wouldn’t haggle over the money. I would take the opportunity, work my butt off and immerse myself in the role, focusing on making great websites for our customers. Do that, and trust me, the money and everything else will take care of itself.” I reminded him that I had been at the company for almost 30 years and that we have over a hundred people who have been with the company for over 10 years, many of whom have worked with us for 15-20+ years. I said that we have talented people who could work almost anywhere, yet they choose to stay with us.
The boy listened and said, “I know, I know, I should not have got this opportunity.” I quickly disagreed, saying, “No, you should have got this chance. My friend wouldn’t have referred you unless you were a good kid and deserved it. But now that you have the offer, take it and run with it!”
Fortunately, he accepted our offer the next day. Now, it is mainly up to him and how hard he works. We should know much more in 3-6 months, but I think it will be great for both sides. That is our goal every time we make an offer - that it is a win-win for the candidate and us and that they will happily do great work for our customers for many years.
The Future
A day after writing this post, a co-worker sent me a Mike Rowe (“Dirty Jobs”) video that perfectly summed up my thoughts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1f9Gr0xAhY&t=235s
Thank you, Mike. Let’s hope more young people check out Mike’s WORKS Foundation and sign his S.W.E.A.T. Pledge (below).
Let’s pray they extend their empathy beyond themselves - for their good and everyone else’s.
Mike Rowe’s S.W.E.A.T. PLEDGE
[Skill & Work Ethic Aren't Taboo]
I believe that I have won the greatest lottery of all time. I am alive. I walk the Earth. I live in America. Above all things, I am grateful.
I believe that I am entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more. I also understand that "happiness" and the "pursuit of happiness" are not the same thing.
I believe there is no such thing as a "bad job." I believe that all jobs are opportunities, and it's up to me to make the best of them.
I do not "follow my passion." I bring it with me. I believe that any job can be done with passion and enthusiasm.
I deplore debt and do all I can to avoid it. I would rather live in a tent and eat beans than borrow money to pay for a lifestyle I can't afford.
I believe that my safety is my responsibility. I understand that being in "compliance" does not necessarily mean I'm out of danger.
I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to show up early, stay late, and cheerfully volunteer for every crappy task there is.
I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them. If I am unhappy in my work, I will either find a new job or find a way to be happy.
I believe that my education is my responsibility and absolutely critical to my success. I am resolved to learn as much as I can from whatever source is available to me. I will never stop learning and understand that library cards are free.
I believe that I am a product of my choices - not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will never accept the credit for something I didn't do.
I understand the world is not fair, and I'm OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.
I believe that all people are created equal. I also believe that all people make choices. Some choose to be lazy. Some choose to sleep in. I choose to work my butt off.
On my honor, I hereby affirm the above statements to be an accurate summation of my personal worldview. I promise to live by them.