The One Question I'm Asking Candidates for Our Next Hire

'Hiring is so fun, I love interviewing and have no problems deciding on the best candidate...' said no one ever. Let's be real, most of us find hiring a chore, and it's even harder these days with every CV 'enhanced' with AI speak, making selecting the right candidate like trying to identify authentic street food in a food court full of franchises.

Previously, my approach was to channel the karma job hiring gods and pray we found the right employee. Have I done good lately? Given to my community? Two karma coins to you sir, your next employee will be technically competent but may have a tendency to leer over your shoulder whilst you eat your crispy pork bành mì for lunch (specifically, crispy pork bành mì only).

Honestly, I would take that deal, because my success rate in finding great employees versus not-so-great sits at 50% maximum. I've tried every interview technique and behavioural question framework to increase those odds without success. The traditional hiring process has become a performance where everyone knows their lines. Candidates rehearse answers to "Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge," while interviewers pretend these scripted responses reveal authentic character.

That has finally changed, and it's this one question that helps us sort the genuinely curious from the professionally polished. This approach works particularly well for younger candidates and technical roles.

"Show me your YouTube history."

Of course, you'll need to build the interview to this point, and yes, it requires the candidate's approval since it's personal territory. But the insights you gain about the real candidate are remarkable.

Consider this example: You're hiring someone with a few years of experience to support the supply chain team. Ideally, the candidate stays current with technologies, demonstrates curiosity, and actively develops their skills. If their YouTube history reveals tutorials, how-to videos, and AI-related content, I'd hire them immediately.

The beauty lies in what people consume when nobody's watching. Their algorithmic footprint reveals genuine interests far better than any rehearsed interview answer.

Don't misunderstand, I've nothing against mindlessly scrolling YouTube shorts. My own history reveals an embarrassing amount of car reviews and cooking videos. But when you find a candidate actively using the world's most comprehensive learning platform for professional development, you're probably making a sound choice.

The hiring gods, it seems, favour those who help themselves, preferably through educational YouTube content at 1.5x speed.

May the karma job gods be always in your favour.