Mumbai, July 9: In today’s competitive job market, having just a degree or experience is no longer sufficient to secure a position. Employers are increasingly evaluating candidates based on their behavior in social settings, such as restaurants.
Inaki Arenio, CEO of healthcare giant Bupa, believes that traditional interviews lasting 45 minutes are inadequate. For senior roles, he conducts assessments over three meetings totaling six hours, focusing on a candidate’s confidence, initiative, and respect for others.
The first phase involves an in-depth discussion of the candidate’s CV and experience for two hours at the office. The second phase takes place over breakfast or lunch at a restaurant, where Arenio observes whether candidates take the initiative or simply follow others. For instance, if a candidate orders wine for themselves while only requesting water for others, it reflects their confidence and decision-making skills. Arenio prefers candidates who demonstrate independence rather than mimicry.
He is not alone in this approach. Keshav Shipchandler, CEO of Twilio, conducts 45-minute dinner interviews with senior candidates, assessing their behavior after work hours. Frequent use of the word “I” during conversations is seen as a lack of team spirit. Candidates are given 20 minutes to ask questions, and failing to do so is considered a disqualification. Some CEOs even dismiss candidates who add salt to their food without tasting it first, viewing it as a sign of impulsive decision-making.
CEOs are paying attention to behavior from waiters to security guards during interviews. In one instance, a candidate’s reaction to being served the wrong dish was tested deliberately. This method echoes Steve Jobs’ famous “beer test,” where he would take candidates for a walk outside the office to gauge their comfort and sociability.
Steven Bartlett, founder of “Diary of a CEO,” once hired a woman without experience simply because she thanked the building’s guard by name. This shift in hiring practices highlights the growing importance of interpersonal skills and behavior in the recruitment process.