Latest Candid(ate) Taxi Test
The Duolingo ceo just went viral for divulging his 'taxi test'. When a job candidate is being picked up from the airport, they canvas the opinion of the driver who delivers them.
It appears a formalised part of their interview process. Those driven to their interview being scored before they step in the building. Not-so-secret now though, so why on earth did (billionaire serial-founder) Luis von Ahn mention it? For if it was such a good indicator, surely they'd keep it to themselves? Especially given his claim a prospective CFO they all liked failed down to this key measure.
It is not without risk.
Beyond general courtesy does it merely distinguish the adrenaline fuelled garrulous from the concentrating contained?
Personal perceptions can mismatch. One person's restrained professionalism can be another's awkward sterility.
One-off interaction amid nerves may not be representative of response in-work, whether everyday or under pressure. On the other hand, how much might behaviour under duress be consistent?
Outside of work, I gather the ladies take great note of how first dates treat venue staff.
Around offices, a couple years back, the coffee cup test gained traction. For whether candidates offer to take mug they picked up en route to the interview setting, back to the kitchen.
And I myself experienced the long-established litmus test in action three decades back; ask the receptionist what they thought.
Skip to the now. Is there another element of this rushing our way from how an AI 'feels' a prospective hire has interacted with them?
The tactic falls into the category of cultural fit. Whilst uncovering reaction in unguarded moments can help - and having used this I've seen its use - the theme revealed of this boss is paramount. For on a podcast called The Burnouts, his reported summing up remains a vital steer;
"Whenever you’re trying to hire somebody it’s because you have a hole in the organisation you are trying to fill. The informal rule is ‘better to have a hole than an asshole’."