Yong Kim is the CEO and cofounder of Wonolo, an on-demand job marketplace that connects workers to jobs posted by businesses across the US.
“What is the sum of the numbers one to 100? How many tennis balls can fit into a yellow school bus? How would you fight a rattlesnake?”
These are some of the more offbeat questions interviewers ask candidates, especially those applying for entry-level jobs. Although it’s clear the goal of inquiring on these brain-teaser questions is to assess the candidates’ ability to think on their feet and problem solve, I find that they are not as useful as some employers believe.
Research shows that these puzzle questions do not help predict the future performance of job candidates. Instead, I believe that they take valuable time away from getting to know the interviewee and whether they are a fit for the position and your company.
So, what are the best questions to ask entry-level interviewees? Some examples might include: “Tell us a challenging situation you faced and how you handled it. Can you elaborate on your educational background and any relevant coursework? What interested you about this particular job and company?”
These are excellent questions to understand the various skill sets or experiences of different candidates. However, it’s still unclear how candidates will perform at the job in real life, no matter how compelling the answers to these questions may be.
So, what should leaders ask instead? What should you as an employer look for during the interview, especially for entry-level positions when prior experience is not a requirement? I believe the answer is punctuality.
Punctuality As The Best Predictor Of Entry-Level Success
Leveraging machine learning techniques, my team examined millions of points of data on entry-level jobs across thousands of companies. This helped us determine punctuality as the most important factor or trait that determines whether a candidate will perform strongly at their entry-level position.
At first, it may sound too fundamental or basic. However, being punctual can reveal several key qualities and characteristics about a person. Here are key traits directly related to punctuality:
Reliability And Trustworthiness
Punctual people tend to be reliable and trustworthy. I’ve found that they are more likely to keep their commitments and meet deadlines, making them a team member that leaders can rely on. Digging deeper, this reliability trait signals respect for other people’s time and indicates a high level of discipline and self-control. Accordingly, punctual workers are highly regarded in professional settings as their behavior demonstrates professionalism and commitment to responsibilities
Time Management And Organizational Skills
Time management is the end-all-be-all in our fast-paced work environments, but surprisingly, 82% of workers polled said they don’t have a time management system. Punctual workers tend to be more conscious of time and have the skill sets to prioritize tasks, plan ahead and focus on their goals. As a result, their punctuality can lead to increased productivity, better efficiency and a stronger overall performance.
The Ability To Perform Under Pressure
Research shows that pressure can be related to underperformance. However, punctual workers are best suited to thrive in high-pressure environments because their detail-oriented nature keeps them focused on the task at hand. For example, if a client requests an urgent project under a tight deadline, many employees will rush into the work without an action plan and just aim to finish it as soon as possible. A punctual worker is likely used to self-imposed deadlines and has the experienced skill set to understand the best approach to divide and conquer these higher-pressure items.
I see being a punctual worker as directly correlated with the skills needed to succeed in just about every entry-level job. On the organizational scale, it also contributes to building a positive professional environment and sets a strong role model for others.
How To Identify If A Candidate Is Punctual
So, if punctuality is a strong indicator of the future performance of a candidate, how should we assess this quality during the interview? Instead of asking general questions about education or prior experiences, look for the following examples:
• How do you handle situations when you know you might be running late for work or an important appointment?
• Can you provide an example of a situation where being punctual had a positive impact on a team?
• How do you plan your routine to ensure you arrive at work or an appointment?
• What steps do you take to ensure you don’t forget important deadlines or appointments?
• What do you consider to be an acceptable margin of error for being on time for work or appointments?
Asking about specific instances that demonstrate how candidates think about punctuality can reveal a lot about their overall approach to work, accountability and professionalism. Responses to these questions can also signal the candidate’s organizational skills and dedication to staying committed to their projects even under pressure.
Overall, as a business leader or hiring manager, understanding the value of punctuality in an entry-level candidate can help set the foundation for you to grow a strong, reliable and professional workforce.
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