One Boss Hires Employees Based On A Unique Coffee Test
Trying to land a job is one of the most stressful things this world has to offer. It's only a good time when you know someone at the company you're applying to, but it can still be a drag.
It's a two-way street — the candidate and the company have their hands full. That's why one boss came up with a strategy that lets him know if someone is fit to work at his company. It all involves a cup of coffee, but how?
The Stress Of It All
Let's face it, are there any people who actually enjoy going on an interview? You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who likes that grueling process.
You have to be in tip-top shape mentally the whole time, look good, and leave a lasting impression.
Getting To The Interview Stage Is Awful
Forget about the interview — what about even landing one? That's probably the toughest part. There are so many others already in your shoes.
What makes you stand out from the thousands of applicants? How are you going to get noticed? Yeah, the process leading up to the interview is brutal.
The Next Phase
If you're lucky enough to make it past the first stage, you have to have a great phone screening to make it to the next level.
It's like a video game on hard difficulty the whole time. Thankfully, the phone part isn't as hard as the in-person interview...
Congratulations! You've Made It A Step Closer
Okay, you've made it past the phone screen, but now you're in the office having an in-person interview. This could very well be one of many down the line.
Remain sharp, remember all the details about the company you can, and don't slip up if you wish to continue. If the person interviewing you is awful, that makes things tougher.
Getting Closer To The Prize
Now, you've made it past the first interview, but you haven't sat down with the boss yet. You still have to remain on your toes.
You might think you're in the clear the deeper you get, but that's only when things get tougher, and one mistake could cost you...
Avoiding Bad Hires
According to Forbes, a bad hire can hurt the company's morale the hardest. Taking the time to clean up the mess left behind by a bad apple takes a long time.
This is a big concern for the people in charge, but how do they combat this? Well, one man found a way.
It's All About The Coffee
How can it be about coffee? Well, Innes doesn't expect you to make the perfect cup of joe; it's easier than that.
"I will always take you for a walk down to one of our kitchens, and somehow you always end up walking away with a drink," he said. "Then we take that back, have our interview."
What Do You Do After The Interview?
Here's where Innes makes things interesting. If you knew nothing about his process beforehand, you better hope you have manners.
"One of the things I'm always looking for at the end of the interview is, does the person doing the interview want to take that empty cup back to the kitchen?"
The Deciding Factor
The bottom line is this; if you don't have the ability to clean up after yourself, you won't work for Innes. He explains his logic clearly.
"If you come into the office one day inside Xero, you'll see the kitchens are almost always clean and sparkling, and it's very much off that concept of wash your coffee cup."
Getting The Job
It's not really about cleaning your cup; it's about the principle. Innes wants to know if you are a fit for the company's culture and at least offering to wash your cup is what works.
He says that those who make it past the initial stages to the interview rounds usually end up at least offering to take their cup back. That's how you get hired around those parts.
