Big Ideas: How to Screen Candidates for Strategic Thinking Skills
Every Middle Tennessee organization needs strategic thinkers: forward-looking, big-picture visionaries who: - Spot emerging trends and threats; - Connect the dots, by identifying interrelationships among business elements; - Think competitively, to improve products or services and gain an edge; - Ensure their organization is fully prepared to thrive in today’s volatile economy. Knowing that you need strategic thinkers is one thing; knowing how to hire them is quite another. In an interview, any candidate can claim they have the perspective and mental abilities to think strategically. Your job is to separate the wannabes from those who have this relatively rare talent – and these interview techniques from Dr. John Sullivan can help you do just that.
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Big Ideas: How to Screen Candidates for Strategic Thinking Skills
- 1. Big Ideas: How to Screen Candidates for Strategic Thinking Skills
- 2. Every Middle Tennessee organization needs strategic thinkers – forward-looking, big-picture visionaries who can help companies gain a competitive edge.
- 3. Look for Candidates Who Can: • Spot emerging trends and threats • Connect the dots between different business elements • Think competitively to improve products or services • Help an organization thrive in today’s volatile economy
- 4. Knowing that you need strategic thinkers is one thing; knowing how to hire them is quite another.
- 5. Any candidate can claim they have the perspective and mental abilities to think strategically.
- 6. Your job is to separate the wannabes from those with this relatively rare talent.
- 7. These interview techniques from Dr. John Sullivan can help you do just that:
- 8. Present a strategic problem to solve. Give the candidate a few moments to think through their answer, and then present their solution, walking you through the steps they took to form the answer.
- 9. Present a flawed strategic plan. Ask them to review it and identify any flaws or gaps. Compare the candidate’s assessment to that of your team.
- 10. Listen for strategic language. Listen for telltale phrases like: strategic goals, looking ahead, connecting the dots, data-driven decisions, cross-functional, multiyear plan, SWOT analysis, and more.
- 11. Strategic thinkers may ask questions about: • How the position fits into the corporate mission • What opportunities may arise to contribute to business strategy • How your organization approaches strategic planning Consider whether their questions are strategic.
- 12. Ask interview questions that reveal strategic thinking skills.
- 13. Here are a few Dr. Sullivan recommends: • When working on a strategic project, how do you identify the relevant stakeholders across the organization? • What have you done to make yourself a more strategic thinker? How do you measure your growth or progress in this area? • If you were in my shoes, how would you assess a candidate’s strategic thinking abilities?
- 14. Wood Personnel is your partner in hiring strategic thinkers. Whether you need experts for special projects or direct hire, we can help you access the talented professionals you need. Contact us today.