Life, both professionally and personally, is built on collaboration. We constantly seek others to help us meet common goals, fill a necessary role, or simply share an experience. When you have a vacancy in your life—whether for a new hire, a business partner, or a key team member—the process of finding the right person becomes an interview for fit.

As you meet candidates, you’re not just looking at a resume; you’re consciously assessing compatibility. Many factors can complicate this process:

1. Timing: Are you urgently overloaded and prioritizing immediate help over long-term alignment?
2. Candidate Pool: Is the available talent limited to what you truly need?
3. Hard Skills: Do they possess the non-negotiable technical abilities for the role?
4. Attitude & Culture: Is their demeanor and approach to work compatible with your team?

It’s common for organizations to struggle, sometimes settling for a candidate with shortcomings that ultimately impact team morale and performance. The key to avoiding this lies in a mindful and highly observant interview process.

What to Listen For:

The most telling information often isn’t in the answers, but in the candidate’s intentions and perspective. When I interview, I look past the rehearsed responses and listen closely for these behavioral signals:

• The “We” vs. “I” Test: When discussing teamwork, do they use “I” exclusively, or can they clearly articulate their specific role within a “we” success?
• Response to Failure: How do they describe a past mistake or setback? A good fit focuses on lessons learned and the tangible steps they took afterward, not on blaming external factors.
• Problem Identification & Resolution: Ask them to identify a significant problem they encountered and detail how they personally contributed to fixing it. This reveals their level of ownership and initiative.

The face to face interview is your best chance to get to know someone and gather data.

Be observant, listen actively, and use targeted questions to ensure you’re making a strategic decision that strengthens your team, rather than simply filling a seat.

E.Luna