Beyond the Resume: How Candidate Questions Reveal True Potential, According to Devisahny

In a recent LinkedIn post, Devisahny shares a compelling anecdote that challenges conventional hiring wisdom, emphasizing the profound insights gained from the questions a job candidate asks. Devisahny highlights how a candidate, despite a typo in their cover letter and less impressive credentials on paper compared to others, ultimately secured the job due to the quality of their interview questions.

Devisahny recounts the initial impression of the candidate: “On paper he wasn’t the standout. Two other candidates had more experience, arguably better schools. And yes, there was a typo sitting right there in his cover letter.” The post details how the old approach would have been to immediately disqualify such an applicant, but a moment of leniency led to an interview that significantly shifted Devisahny’s perspective.

The Power of Candidate Inquiry

The turning point in the hiring process, as described by Devisahny, came at the conclusion of the interview when the candidate posed a series of thoughtful and specific questions. Devisahny was particularly struck by the candidate’s final question, which demonstrated a unique level of engagement and critical thinking.

“What’s the part of the company you hate running the most? And if I get hired, how can I make your life easier?”

This question, according to Devisahny, was the deciding factor. The immediate positive reaction – “I laughed. You are hired.” – underscores the impact of a candidate who goes beyond standard inquiries to show genuine curiosity and a problem-solving mindset.

Decoding Candidate Mindset Through Questions

Devisahny elaborates on the deeper meaning behind this hiring decision, positing that while a CV showcases past achievements and an interview assesses presentation skills, it is the candidate’s questions that truly reveal their cognitive abilities and interests.

Assessing Thinking and Curiosity

According to Devisahny, “A CV tells you what someone has done. An interview tells you how someone presents themselves. But the questions a candidate asks tell you how they think. What they notice. What they’re actually curious about.” This perspective suggests that hiring managers should pay closer attention to this often-underestimated aspect of the interview process.

The core takeaway from Devisahny’s post is that the “real hiring hack?” lies in encouraging and valuing substantive questions from candidates. This approach not only helps identify top talent but also fosters a more collaborative and insightful hiring environment.

“Ask legitimately good, strong questions. Show the interviewer how you think.”

Devisahny concludes by engaging the LinkedIn community, inviting both hirers and job seekers to share their experiences with impactful interview questions. This call to action aims to create a collective resource for professional development and mutual support in the job market.

The post serves as a valuable reminder that potential can manifest in unexpected ways, and that the ability to ask insightful questions is a powerful indicator of a candidate’s future value to an organization.