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Post by Her Highness on Apr 8, 2016 13:59:41 GMT
A Google exec shares her favorite job-interview question and what she looks for in every candidateGoogle is one of the most sought-after places to work, thanks to its incredible perks, great pay, and appealing culture. But landing a job with the tech giant is no easy feat. To help you figure out what it takes, we recently asked Yasmin Green, head of research and development at Jigsaw — Google's tech incubator formerly known as Google Ideas — about how she hires and what Google looks for in every job candidate. Green, who recently attended Marie Claire's Power Trip summit — a women's networking event sponsored by Dell, Intel, JetBlue, Shiseido, Tacori, and W Hotels — says that there's one question she likes to ask every job candidate she interviews: "How would you make money from an ice-cream stand in Central Park?" "I'm curious to see how people deal with ambiguity and whether they can have fun while thinking on their feet," she says. Green says she only wants to hire someone who is "innately driven" — "someone who has that force of spirit that powers them through any obstacle that comes their way." She says that to land a job at Google, you also need to "be prepared to challenge the premise of the question." She adds: "Google sets itself apart for the value it puts on creative, independent thinking. And of course, just like any other job opportunity, role-related skills and doing your research and preparation are essential." www.techinsider.io/google-exec-shares-her-favorite-job-interview-question-2016-4?utm_content=bufferaece4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer-ti
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Post by Her Highness on Apr 8, 2016 14:01:32 GMT
I've had interviews where they ask me why Batman is more popular to superman....lol, me wey no watch the movies. I had to make up something. Have you guys been in the same situation where you had to think on your feet? When they ask questions that's so far removed from the job requirement? Shymmex, Interloper, iyalode, Moffy, OmoOba, Iya Niyen!, Omoluabi, dansoye1, Belmot, osoronga, Omo Oba of the Source, Her Highness, IrekeOnibudo, ioannes, laudate, oduabachanal, stblack, zaynie, ilaje2015, omohayek, AgbongboAkala, Ogbeni Ogunnaike, aparo, black, colonial pikin, skylar, cocoafarmer, missy89, ibk, Merchantt, lontoro, isalegangan, yorumigrant, ajanaku, sholeybanty, ayodejilara, oloyesaso, sakur, ritchiee, mignone, honeychild, Short_Biscuit, amorere, donphilosophy, governor, irewande, isholapecham, ola, olugbenga86, taiwo, loadofs, ijeshaboy, tomtoxic, imodoye, camronaija, ayekooto, dehinde, fado, scully95, tunde, ayo, omoba, tallwolleh, mankind, anago, egbaknight, oduastates, atandaniyi, ayxmania, omoolowokanbati, sapiodunamis, blaqcoffee109, fluteman, olukumi, sesinu, araabeokuta, qreem231, |
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Post by omohayek on Apr 8, 2016 15:20:45 GMT
I've had interviews where they ask me why Batman is more popular to superman....lol, me wey no watch the movies. I had to make up something. Have you guys been in the same situation where you had to think on your feet? When they ask questions that's so far removed from the job requirement? Well, I'm grateful no one has ever asked me such a strange question! It's one thing to ask open-ended questions of a logical nature, but I just don't see the point of pop-culture queries like this one. |
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Post by Her Highness on Apr 8, 2016 16:27:51 GMT
I've had interviews where they ask me why Batman is more popular to superman....lol, me wey no watch the movies. I had to make up something. Have you guys been in the same situation where you had to think on your feet? When they ask questions that's so far removed from the job requirement? Well, I'm grateful no one has ever asked me such a strange question! It's one thing to ask open-ended questions of a logical nature, but I just don't see the point of pop-culture queries like this one. To be honest with you, I see the positive side of asking those kind of questions, especially for a field where analytical and logical reasonings are important. For user experience, one has to be able to analyze research findings and implement it in user-centered designs. Plus you don't want to hire someone that doesn't fit into your work culture. Asking questions that's wayyyyyyy out there let's you see the person as the person. |
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Post by omohayek on Apr 8, 2016 17:23:56 GMT
To be honest with you, I see the positive side of asking those kind of questions, especially for a field where analytical and logical reasonings are important. For user experience, one has to be able to analyze research findings and implement it in user-centered designs. Plus you don't want to hire someone that doesn't fit into your work culture. Asking questions that's wayyyyyyy out there let's you see the person as the person. Actually, there are studies indicating is that the last thing you want to do is hire only people who "fit" a homogenous work culture, as that leads to group-think: imagine a bunch of "brogrammers" all high-fiving each other on their clever AI which just happens to tag black people as "gorillas" - a fact they only discover once it goes live as they all assumed that "normal" people would be white like they are. Besides, asking about "Batman vs. Superman" does nothing to test logical thinking, and not everyone has the time or inclination to spend their free time reading comics (and what of the comic book nerds who grew up in Japan reading anime?). If what one wants is to gain an insight into the interviewee's personality, then a better way to do that is to ask hypotheticals about how they might deal with social or work conflicts; an even better way would be to place them into a discussion where two other participants simulate a disagreement over an important decision, and then solicit the candidates' input: do they jump into the fray and try to push their own novel solution, do they attempt to play the peacemaker, do they try to avoid giving an opinion, etc.? The reality of these brain-teaser type interview questions is that there is really no evidence that they work. Google is one of the few companies that has systematically studied their effectiveness, with the negative results leading them to tell their interviewers to avoid such questions. To quote Google's head of hiring verbatim: |
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Post by Omoluabi on Apr 8, 2016 19:57:54 GMT
To be honest with you, I see the positive side of asking those kind of questions, especially for a field where analytical and logical reasonings are important. For user experience, one has to be able to analyze research findings and implement it in user-centered designs. Plus you don't want to hire someone that doesn't fit into your work culture. Asking questions that's wayyyyyyy out there let's you see the person as the person. Actually, there are studies indicating is that the last thing you want to do is hire only people who "fit" a homogenous work culture, as that leads to group-think: imagine a bunch of "brogrammers" all high-fiving each other on their clever AI which just happens to tag black people as "gorillas" - a fact they only discover once it goes live as they all assumed that "normal" people would be white like they are. Besides, asking about "Batman vs. Superman" does nothing to test logical thinking, and not everyone has the time or inclination to spend their free time reading comics (and what of the comic book nerds who grew up in Japan reading anime?). If what one wants is to gain an insight into the interviewee's personality, then a better way to do that is to ask hypotheticals about how they might deal with social or work conflicts; an even better way would be to place them into a discussion where two other participants simulate a disagreement over an important decision, and then solicit the candidates' input: do they jump into the fray and try to push their own novel solution, do they attempt to play the peacemaker, do they try to avoid giving an opinion, etc.? The reality of these brain-teaser type interview questions is that there is really no evidence that they work. Google is one of the few companies that has systematically studied their effectiveness, with the negative results leading them to tell their interviewers to avoid such questions. To quote Google's head of hiring verbatim: I agree wholeheartedly with you omohayek. which kind question be that? Batman vs superman? I lost my love for comics and special character films since i turned maybe 13 and i've not regained it back so i simply will not have any appropriate opinion to give. I remember an Interview i had with Coca Cola in 2004 where i rotated among 2 senior managers and a director spending an hour with each, over cups of tea and biscuits, just talking about everything imaginable under the sun like what to do in a family conflict, work conflict, working with impossible colleagues, bosses or subordinates etc. It was interesting but the malaria i went there with almost made it a disaster for me inside their very chilly offices. I didn't get it eventually but i heard the whole thing was jettisoned though i had no means to confirm veracity of that info. I agree with the Google exec too as i have a personal experience as an interviewer of candidates for membership of a campus fraternity. When i asked such questions, it was principally to massage my own ego and show the interviewee that i was smarter than he could ever be. Plain petty arrogance!! |
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Post by Her Highness on Apr 8, 2016 20:48:08 GMT
You two made some great points. Will be back to reflect  |
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Post by Her Highness on Apr 10, 2016 1:12:02 GMT
To be honest with you, I see the positive side of asking those kind of questions, especially for a field where analytical and logical reasonings are important. For user experience, one has to be able to analyze research findings and implement it in user-centered designs. Plus you don't want to hire someone that doesn't fit into your work culture. Asking questions that's wayyyyyyy out there let's you see the person as the person. Actually, there are studies indicating is that the last thing you want to do is hire only people who "fit" a homogenous work culture, as that leads to group-think: imagine a bunch of "brogrammers" all high-fiving each other on their clever AI which just happens to tag black people as "gorillas" - a fact they only discover once it goes live as they all assumed that "normal" people would be white like they are. Besides, asking about "Batman vs. Superman" does nothing to test logical thinking, and not everyone has the time or inclination to spend their free time reading comics (and what of the comic book nerds who grew up in Japan reading anime?). If what one wants is to gain an insight into the interviewee's personality, then a better way to do that is to ask hypotheticals about how they might deal with social or work conflicts; an even better way would be to place them into a discussion where two other participants simulate a disagreement over an important decision, and then solicit the candidates' input: do they jump into the fray and try to push their own novel solution, do they attempt to play the peacemaker, do they try to avoid giving an opinion, etc.?
The reality of these brain-teaser type interview questions is that there is really no evidence that they work. Google is one of the few companies that has systematically studied their effectiveness, with the negative results leading them to tell their interviewers to avoid such questions. To quote Google's head of hiring verbatim: I took some psychology classes, so I know that 'studies' especially as qualitative as the one you quoted, aren't definitive. You mentioned 'studies', but you only came forth with one example. Unfortunately, I couldn't even open up the doc to read its content. But anyway, I agree with the bolded and they still conduct interviews in such manner. However, what you're not understanding is that analytical intelligence is different from emotional intelligence. In big companies, like Google (although I wouldn't ever want to work in such a political corporation), emotional intelligence is a plus. It helps to ask question as such as: what is this person's personality when dealing with clients and consumers? Does this person fit into my 'playful' work environment? In addition, it helps the interviewee decide if they want to work with that team. I'm normally a cheerful person. I love to laugh and I enjoy a healthy competition. Someone like I wouldn't survive in political companies like 'Google'. I've turned down job offers from companies that seems too frigid and serious for my liking. Having the ability to understand a-squared + b-squared = c-squared isn't the same as 'does my personality fit the team's personality'? Behavioral questions aren't the same as analytical or personality questions. Remember that certain job questions differ. i.e UX Researchers are going to be asked more personality questions because they have to deal with the company's consumers a lot. To deal with consumers, one has to be approachable and not too serious. I've told my interviewer that I loved playing video games, biking and kick boxing when she asked what I liked doing during my free time. I'm not gonna lie and say crap like 'reading' and 'studying' when I really hate studying lol. Note: I actually liked that they asked me about batman vs superman because we all ended up making small conversations that mad the interview less stressful and more conversational. One thing I love about the tech field is that it's not too formal. I wear jeans and sandals to work. |
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Post by Her Highness on Apr 10, 2016 1:14:02 GMT
Actually, there are studies indicating is that the last thing you want to do is hire only people who "fit" a homogenous work culture, as that leads to group-think: imagine a bunch of "brogrammers" all high-fiving each other on their clever AI which just happens to tag black people as "gorillas" - a fact they only discover once it goes live as they all assumed that "normal" people would be white like they are. Besides, asking about "Batman vs. Superman" does nothing to test logical thinking, and not everyone has the time or inclination to spend their free time reading comics (and what of the comic book nerds who grew up in Japan reading anime?). If what one wants is to gain an insight into the interviewee's personality, then a better way to do that is to ask hypotheticals about how they might deal with social or work conflicts; an even better way would be to place them into a discussion where two other participants simulate a disagreement over an important decision, and then solicit the candidates' input: do they jump into the fray and try to push their own novel solution, do they attempt to play the peacemaker, do they try to avoid giving an opinion, etc.? The reality of these brain-teaser type interview questions is that there is really no evidence that they work. Google is one of the few companies that has systematically studied their effectiveness, with the negative results leading them to tell their interviewers to avoid such questions. To quote Google's head of hiring verbatim: I agree wholeheartedly with you omohayek . which kind question be that? Batman vs superman? I lost my love for comics and special character films since i turned maybe 13 and i've not regained it back so i simply will not have any appropriate opinion to give. I remember an Interview i had with Coca Cola in 2004 where i rotated among 2 senior managers and a director spending an hour with each, over cups of tea and biscuits, just talking about everything imaginable under the sun like what to do in a family conflict, work conflict, working with impossible colleagues, bosses or subordinates etc. It was interesting but the malaria i went there with almost made it a disaster for me inside their very chilly offices. I didn't get it eventually but i heard the whole thing was jettisoned though i had no means to confirm veracity of that info. I agree with the Google exec too as i have a personal experience as an interviewer of candidates for membership of a campus fraternity. When i asked such questions, it was principally to massage my own ego and show the interviewee that i was smarter than he could ever be. Plain petty arrogance!! If you can't answer the question, you can simply say 'I am not into comics, but I'm into xyz.' and you can lead the conversation to what you like so they can get to know who YOU are. The point of that question is to know you as a non-interviewee. |
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Post by Omoluabi on Apr 10, 2016 5:19:02 GMT
I agree wholeheartedly with you omohayek . which kind question be that? Batman vs superman? I lost my love for comics and special character films since i turned maybe 13 and i've not regained it back so i simply will not have any appropriate opinion to give. I remember an Interview i had with Coca Cola in 2004 where i rotated among 2 senior managers and a director spending an hour with each, over cups of tea and biscuits, just talking about everything imaginable under the sun like what to do in a family conflict, work conflict, working with impossible colleagues, bosses or subordinates etc. It was interesting but the malaria i went there with almost made it a disaster for me inside their very chilly offices. I didn't get it eventually but i heard the whole thing was jettisoned though i had no means to confirm veracity of that info. I agree with the Google exec too as i have a personal experience as an interviewer of candidates for membership of a campus fraternity. When i asked such questions, it was principally to massage my own ego and show the interviewee that i was smarter than he could ever be. Plain petty arrogance!! If you can't answer the question, you can simply say 'I am not into comics, but I'm into xyz.' and you can lead the conversation to what you like so they can get to know who YOU are. The point of that question is to know you as a non-interviewee. Well I guess so many roads lead to Rome after all. The long and short is to make you talk and reveal who you're. Next time that kind of question comes up, I'll tell them about "ogboju ode ninu Igbo irunmale". Na my own super hero be that. |
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Post by Merchantt on Apr 10, 2016 15:13:35 GMT
I was retained where I did my NYSC.
I don't know the answer to this question ooooo
At OP, how would you answer the question?
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Post by Her Highness on Apr 10, 2016 16:21:03 GMT
I was retained where I did my NYSC. I don't know the answer to this question ooooo At OP, how would you answer the question? I'll play with it and show my playful side. Plus I like turning interviews into conversations. |
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