Interviewing by Walking Around
by Robert W. Wendover

A powerful alternative to the sit-down interview is to walk candidates around the workplace. Interviewing by walking around will reveal all kinds of subtle indicators you cannot elicit from a formal interview. Here is a short guide to this approach:

As you approach the person to be interviewed, watch him or her for subtleties. How does the person look before he or she realizes you are watching? What is this person’s posture? Facial expression? Eye contact with others?

After greeting the candidate, suggest that the two of you go for a walk around the workplace and talk at the same time. While they are probably expecting a sit-down interview, there is no choice but to comply.

Watch the person walk. Does he or she keep up with you? Do the eyes wander? Is the person easily distracted by all the activity?

As you walk with the applicant, ask the questions you have prepared. While the applicant may have a pat set of answers prepared in return, all this walking around will probably throw him or her off his or her pace. That’s what you want. You want the truth, not the rehearsed stories. Most people can’t walk and lie at the same time, so listen closely to the content, not how well the story or answer is given. Truth is more important than polish. If you’re not sure of the person’s answer, bring the subject up again later in the interview.

Introduce the candidate to several members of the staff. How is the eye contact? How is the handshake? Does the person appear to treat women differently than men? Do you get a feeling of warmth and sincerity? Don’t just do this once. Do it several times. Then take an average. See how each employee responds.

Walk the applicant into the area of the organization where they will be working. Watch the reaction. Do they appear interested? Don’t listen to the words, watch the eyes. Get the applicant involved with the area in which they might work. Watch the reaction in each situation. Does the person catch on quickly? Ask thoughtful questions? Do they pitch in?

Conclude the interview by walking the applicant back to the entrance. After you’ve shaken hands and parted, take a second to watch as the person walks away. When he or she doesn’t think you’re looking any more, a normal gait and posture will return. This is what you will see day-to-day if you make the hire.

You might even wait to conclude the interview until the person reaches their car. The appearance of vehicles can reveal an awful lot about a person’s pride, confidence, and attention to detail. Watching a person in the actual workplace is a key to judging their future performance.

Robert W. Wendover is the Director of The Center for Generational Studies. Contact him at wendover@gentrends.com

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