This post by Reach reminds me to share my experience. As owner of an electronics and manufacturing business for 45 years, I have hired hundreds of employees, both production workers and professional staff. One common thread I have found among the best hires is the speed of their walk, funny as that may sound.
Today I would go so far as to say that by using only that characteristic, I would be correct 80 % of the time in hiring a reliable and caring employee. Obviously, other things are important also.
And those I would summarize as "attitude and aptitude". With these three characteristics in mind, one will rarely chose the wrong employee.
One common thread I have found among the best hires is the speed of their walk, funny as that may sound.
That's an interesting observation. Perhaps some psychologists could theorize how a speedy walk results from a attitude of keeness to get on and get stuff done. Or some such.
I haven't done much in terms of having input on the selection of hires but looking back I think I can see a relation between walking speed and the most competent and productive people I have worked with over the years.
When I'm out walking with people they often ask me to slow down, Now I know why:)
Some of my best interviews back in the days when I was a freelancer taking contracts were very technical. They expect a contractor to hit the ground running. But often they were technical in this very nice way: After some normal interview questions and chit chat we would get straight down to looking at their system, their problems, and even right down to looking at some code. This kind of interview could go on all day at the end of which I already had solutions to outline to them and they pretty much had to hire me having invested so much time in the "interview".
... One common thread I have found among the best hires is the speed of their walk, funny as that may sound.
Today I would go so far as to say that by using only that characteristic, I would be correct 80 % of the time in hiring a reliable and caring employee.
Peter, could you elaborate on this? Are you saying the faster the walk, the better the employee? Or are you saying a particular speed "looks right"? OR, do feel that after you watch them walk, you get a "vibe" which tends to be correct?
Concerning the first, I've worked with many project managers and occasional engineers that seem prefer "more coffee" over "proper preparation". Of these, the ones with the faster walk simply flail around more.
There is a certain style of movement that exudes alertness, energy, interest, curiosity and a willingness to move and get on with stuff. As opposed to some slovenly slouching around, sitting in a crumpled heap and generally looking disinterested and bored with the world and "oh Smile do I have to? When can I go home?".
Of course selecting hires by walking speed will get you into trouble if it discriminates against the handicapped or geriatric applicants. Err..sorry...should I say "gait challenged" and "mature" now a days?
Also, you are right about some managers I have known. They would walk very fast. They would drive as fast as is possible all the time. They would never have more than a minute to speak with anyone what with being in a constant rush to not speak to the next guy. On the surface it looks like they are real go getters powering their way to huge success. On the other hand it meant they never stopped long enough to admire the view or understand what they were looking at. Ending up with whatever they are managing turning into chaos.
Sometimes, hiring is just a fickle thing - Human Resources, who you will never work with and more than likely have no clue about the job will decide fates.
25 some years ago, when I interviewed with my current employer (after having worked for/with them for 2 years already), there was something the HR person didn't like about my interview (or me). She made her recommendation not to hire me. When my manager to be and his boss and his bosses boss heard this, phones started ringing. 25 years ago, the people 2 levels above my manager were wielders of great power within the company.
Obviously, I was hired. I don't know what the HR person's objection was or how her career went but I've been doing just fine!
Comments
This post by Reach reminds me to share my experience. As owner of an electronics and manufacturing business for 45 years, I have hired hundreds of employees, both production workers and professional staff. One common thread I have found among the best hires is the speed of their walk, funny as that may sound.
Today I would go so far as to say that by using only that characteristic, I would be correct 80 % of the time in hiring a reliable and caring employee. Obviously, other things are important also.
And those I would summarize as "attitude and aptitude". With these three characteristics in mind, one will rarely chose the wrong employee.
Cheers,
Peter (pjv)
I haven't done much in terms of having input on the selection of hires but looking back I think I can see a relation between walking speed and the most competent and productive people I have worked with over the years.
When I'm out walking with people they often ask me to slow down, Now I know why:)
Some of my best interviews back in the days when I was a freelancer taking contracts were very technical. They expect a contractor to hit the ground running. But often they were technical in this very nice way: After some normal interview questions and chit chat we would get straight down to looking at their system, their problems, and even right down to looking at some code. This kind of interview could go on all day at the end of which I already had solutions to outline to them and they pretty much had to hire me having invested so much time in the "interview".
Peter, could you elaborate on this? Are you saying the faster the walk, the better the employee? Or are you saying a particular speed "looks right"? OR, do feel that after you watch them walk, you get a "vibe" which tends to be correct?
Concerning the first, I've worked with many project managers and occasional engineers that seem prefer "more coffee" over "proper preparation". Of these, the ones with the faster walk simply flail around more.
There is a certain style of movement that exudes alertness, energy, interest, curiosity and a willingness to move and get on with stuff. As opposed to some slovenly slouching around, sitting in a crumpled heap and generally looking disinterested and bored with the world and "oh Smile do I have to? When can I go home?".
Of course selecting hires by walking speed will get you into trouble if it discriminates against the handicapped or geriatric applicants. Err..sorry...should I say "gait challenged" and "mature" now a days?
Also, you are right about some managers I have known. They would walk very fast. They would drive as fast as is possible all the time. They would never have more than a minute to speak with anyone what with being in a constant rush to not speak to the next guy. On the surface it looks like they are real go getters powering their way to huge success. On the other hand it meant they never stopped long enough to admire the view or understand what they were looking at. Ending up with whatever they are managing turning into chaos.
25 some years ago, when I interviewed with my current employer (after having worked for/with them for 2 years already), there was something the HR person didn't like about my interview (or me). She made her recommendation not to hire me. When my manager to be and his boss and his bosses boss heard this, phones started ringing. 25 years ago, the people 2 levels above my manager were wielders of great power within the company.
Obviously, I was hired. I don't know what the HR person's objection was or how her career went but I've been doing just fine!
I also noticed English Majors make good programmers.