Common Interview Question
What is the title of the last book you read?Wow. Seems like this common interview question is from left field. Why would an interviewer want to know the last book you read?Here are the real behavioral interview questions you are being asked:
People who read a lot tend to be intelligent, curious, and eager to learn. They have a broad vocabulary and usually communicate well verbally and in writing. Reading is exercise for the mind. It takes some work and effort to read vs gaining knowledge from more passive methods. I'm sure you've heard the expression...she/he is very well read. True StoryI worked for a Fortune 500 company that required all the managers and staff to meet each Friday afternoon to read a couple of sections out of the company's policy and procedure manual. Usually there were 20 people in attendance across all disciplines and management levels. The purpose of the meeting was to make sure everyone understood and practiced company policy and procedure. It was a great idea. Most companies issue you a P&P manual on your hire date which is promptly tossed in a lower desk drawer, never to be seen again until you resign, retire, or die. When I first attended one of these 20 minute meetings, I was appalled at how poorly some people read--including a couple of managers. I also noticed that some of these poor readers also used poor grammar in casual conversation. I shared my observations with one of my colleagues and he quickly replied...that's because they don't read enough. What do you mean they don't read enough? Yeah...they rarely pick up a book or magazine and read. They get all of their information by word of mouth or TV. My colleague challenged me by saying...if you don't believe me, just ask a couple of them what they've been reading lately. So, I did. To my amazement, he was right. The point of all this is that some of the brightest people on the planet read constantly. I know people who read 1-2 books a week. On the shelves of Barnes and Noble's is the wisdom of the world. Many of the world's greatest leaders, experts, and scholars have written books and articles about their thoughts, discoveries, and achievements for all to learn and benefit. Yet, most people would rather spend their time watching TV and running to the refrigerator. So, when you are asked a common interview question about your reading habits, think of the impact it will make when you rattle off 2-3 books you recently studied by industry movers and shakers. Not to mention the knowledge and experience you will have borrowed from the greatest minds in your field. Back from Common Interview Question to Behavioral Interview Questions Back from Common Interview Question to Job Interview home page
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