Are you looking for key questions to ask job applicants that will ensure you hire potential leaders? A question about their footwear may be in order.
What’s your biggest accomplishment at your current job? (Boring!)
What’s your weakest trait? (They’re well prepared for this one.)
What are your career goals? (Last time I heard that one I fell off my dinosaur.)
When is the last time you bought sneakers? (WINNER!)
You may risk applicants thinking you have some kind of foot fetish, but it might just be the key to uncovering future leaders in the workplace.
Mindset Media found people who buy more than three pairs of sneakers a year are 61% more likely to have the qualities of a modern leader.
The same multi-sneaker purchasers are 50% more likely to be very assertive and 47% more likely to be spontaneous. (Hey, I think I’ll go out right now and buy another pair of sneakers – how’s that for spontaneous?)
The research also uncovered two other traits associated with buying and spending.
Looking for creative people? Ask if they own a hybrid car.
People who pay off their credit card bills each month are “highly deliberate” when thinking through their actions.
Getting back to those sneaker-buyers: They’re also more likely to fly by the seat of their pants.
So if you spot an applicant who steps out of a hybrid and is wearing new sneakers, make sure you ask a question about paid-up credit-card bills. You could be dealing with the perfect employee.
