Tee up Long Haired Country Boy, Charlie Daniels Band
This is my go to and favorite interview question. There was a lot of transition at Kiva, as we were cycling ~20 new interns every 6 months. Interviewing was a huge part of my job, and this was my staple question. It’s designed to be a self assessment and it tests for self awareness.
You draw a 2x2 matrix.
On the top you've got "Good At / Not Good At".
On the side you've got "Like / Don't Like".
This would be how I would frame it:
“In this box you've got things that you're good at and you like doing, in this box you've got things you're good at but don't like doing (and so on). Feel free to layer both personal and professional aspects. Talk me through it, you can end the activity whenever you’d like.”
Everyone would generally get the "Good / Like" and "Not Good / Not Like", although you'd certainly get some folks rambling.
The creativity and crux was really rooted in the " Good / Not Like" and "Not Good / Like", as it's more multi dimensional and where you could really tease someone's processing.
This is how I would approach it:
-- You want a 50/50 mix of personal and professional
-- Give one to two personal and professional answers in each box
This would be my self assessment:
Good / Like (easy pickens, as you are naturally good at things you like)
Writing. It's why I'm writing a book. I enjoy writing and feel I'm good at it. It serves me both personally and professionally.
Email efficiency. In an email heavy environment I truly beat out the next guy because of how organized I am, which drives efficiency and output. I feel that outside of Suz, I may be the most email efficient person I know and I think that's cool. I like that skill.
Breakfast burritos. I know them, I love them, I make the best of them. I have a deep understanding of the ins and outs of a good brek.
Good / Not Like (areas you good but indifferent, areas you don't care to invest in)
Cleaning. Something most people wouldn't know about me, and something that's heavily influenced by Julia -- my house is TIDY. I think most people are surprised at how clean my house is, but it's not something I particularly like. It's just something I do and feel I'm particularly good at. It waterfalls into other areas of my life that I do like.
Developing young talent. I feel I've been widely praised for this over the course of my professional career, but I don't particularly care for it. Especially with age, it's something I'm trying to distance myself from. I like working with established baller professionals that I can learn from. That's who I want to spend the lion's share of my time with.
Not Good / Like (areas you want to invest in and get better at)
Public speaking. I have a real issue hearing myself talk, and I wish I was more comfortable with it. I use far too many "ums" and "likes" – cringe. I've considered joining Toastmasters to get better at this, and it's probably #1 on my professional development list.
Tennis. I wish I were better. Every time I play I think I should get lessons because I have a great time but really do just suck at it.
Not Good / Not Like (you can have a lot of fun with this, but again, important not to ramble)
Technical learning (e.g. any form of coding, guitar, a second language). I'm a high output, instant gratification, go go go kinda guy. I've never been patient, and it's been hard for me to find patience in developing a technical skill -- inside or outside of work.
Salsa dancing. I've tried it, I thoroughly didn't enjoy myself, I was absolutely dog shit, and I will never do it again.
Conferences. I hate them. Would be stoked to never go to another one.