Common Interview Question

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What is the title of the last book you read?

Here are the real behavioral interview questions you are being asked:

• Do you read much?
• Do you read for entertainment or education?
• Are you a student of your craft?
• What interests you?
• How do you stay current on business trends and self-improvement?

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 Story

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.

These poor readers also used improper 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, he continued, they rarely pick up a book or magazine and read. They get all of their information by word of mouth or TV.

My colleague then 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.

On the shelves of book stores and libraries 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.

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