Recruiter Reveals Unique Interview Technique: Asking Candidates to Lead with Questions

Paddy Lambros, CEO and co-founder of the AI recruitment startup Dex, has developed a unique interviewing technique that sets the stage for revealing top performers. Instead of starting with standard questions about the candidate's background or their suitability for the job, Lambros invites the interviewee to ask him a question right at the beginning. Lambros believes that the quality of a candidate’s initial questions is a strong indicator of their level of interest, engagement, and potential performance. After interviewing over 10,000 candidates, he has found that top candidates are more likely to pose insightful and probing questions, whereas less-prepared candidates may struggle to come up with anything meaningful. Questions such as "How would you know that I'm a top performer within 60 days?" or "What is it that will be true about your business in a year if I work here?" demonstrate a candidate's proactive mindset and their desire to understand the role's impact and outcomes. Dex, based in London, uses AI to act as a talent agent, connecting software engineers with potential employers. The company is backed by notable investors, including A16z Speedrun, the Andreessen Horowitz accelerator. Lambros's approach to interviewing evolved from his background in sales, where he learned the value of a discovery call. By giving candidates the lead, Lambros fosters a more natural and open conversation, which can reveal deeper insights about their motivations and interests. Lambros notes that with the prevalence of AI tools like ChatGPT, candidates can easily prepare polished answers. However, formulating thoughtful questions is more challenging and less likely to be AI-generated, making it a valuable gauge of genuine preparation and enthusiasm. This method helps identify candidates who are truly invested in the role and the company’s vision. Elizabeth Lotardo, a leadership consultant and author of "Leading Yourself," agrees that this approach is particularly useful for roles that require strong interpersonal skills, such as leadership or sales. She suggests that candidates might ask questions like "What made you want to talk to me?" or "What on my résumé made you reach out?" to push the interviewer to highlight specific qualities that caught their attention. Lotardo points out that this technique can also help quickly determine if the position is not a good fit for the candidate, saving time for both parties. Additionally, it empowers highly qualified candidates to assess the opportunity on equal footing, recognizing that top talent evaluates potential employers as rigorously as companies evaluate candidates. By initiating conversations with questions, Lambro's method not only streamlines the interview process but also ensures that both the interviewer and the candidate gain a clearer understanding of each other's expectations and goals. This approach is seen as a valuable tool for identifying the most promising prospects in the competitive AI recruitment landscape.