Management Tip of the Day: Why Projects Work Better than Interviews

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 Why Projects Work Better than Interviews Can you really find out what you need to know about a job candidate in an hour-long interview? Probably not. No amount of interviewing, reference checking, and psychological testing is a substitute for actually working with a candidate on a real project. Next time you're hiring, consider giving your top candidates a constrained project to execute. Ask them to redesign a social media campaign, document a tricky bit of software, edit a keynote presentation, or produce a webinar. Look at the results and decide which candidates were able to deliver real value. This doesn't just benefit you as the hiring manager. Candidates will learn what it's like to really work with you and your company. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Projects Are the New Job Interviews" by Michael Schrage. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter HBR Press Book Will your next leader be insignificant — or indispensable? Harvard Business School professor Gautam Mukunda offers an enticingly fresh look at how and when individual leaders really can make a difference. Profiling a mix of historic and modern figures — from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln to Winston Churchill and Judah Folkman — Indispensable reveals how, when, and where a single individual can save or destroy the organization they lead, and even change the course of history. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Decide If Travel Is Really Worth It Make Your Big Idea Happen Say No to Extra Work Build a Better Innovation Team Make a Critical Trade-Off Stop Checking Up on Your Employees Get Clear Direction from a Boss Who Is Vague Recognize Employees Who Step Up When Starting a Company, Get Your Values Right Ease Your Employees Into Change All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >>   Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)