Gary Shapiro, the CEO of U.S. trade association Consumer Technology Association, has a crucial question he asks new job candidates. He will reject candidates who answer it incorrectly.
Imagine this: You’ve applied for your dream job and gone through multiple interviews. Finally, the hiring manager asks, “when can you start?”
You might think the right answer is “immediately.” But Shapiro believes being available within two weeks is a warning sign that could lead to rejection. “They don’t get the job, because they’ll treat us the way they treat that former employer,” Shapiro recently told CNBC.
“I want an employee who is committed to their organization, even if they don’t love their job, and won’t leave their employer hanging.”
However, if you are unemployed, the question does not apply.
Fortune has reached out to Gary Shapiro for comment.
The loyalty test also applies to employees leaving the company
It’s not surprising that Shapiro values loyalty among employees, considering he has been CTA’s CEO for over three decades.
For Shapiro, the loyalty test applies to all candidates, regardless of seniority. The longer the notice period, the better.
Shapiro used the same question when hiring the company’s COO. He was pleased when she requested up to six weeks to transition from her previous job. He hired her on the spot.
While he didn’t disclose her name in the interview, CTA’s website confirms Glenda MacMullin as the COO. This means that Shapiro has been using this question for at least 20 years since she joined the company in 2004.
He also applies a similar loyalty test to exiting employees. Leaving under good terms, including giving a two weeks’ notice, is considered when rehiring former employees, according to Shapiro.
AI is changing the landscape of interview questions
While Shapiro’s loyalty test has stood the test of time, many hiring managers are revamping their interview questions due to AI.
Recently, xAI cofounder Greg Yang called out a candidate for cheating during an interview. The candidate was using large language models to answer questions and reading responses from their screen.
Job seekers have even shared interview questions online, prompting employers to rethink their approach. Some have abandoned traditional questions in favor of more conversational interviews.
One employer now asks candidates to question him about the job. If they can’t ask meaningful questions, they may lack experience.
Join business’s brightest minds and boldest leaders at the Fortune Global Forum on November 11-12 in New York City. The event will feature Fortune 500 CEOs, former Cabinet members, global Ambassadors, and Tom Brady among others.
View the full agenda here, or request an invitation.
