Although we operate in the ICT sector, we gave up on traditional interviews focused on technical skills years ago. Nowadays, we want to get to know the applicant's personality first and foremost, because a diligent employee and a good person is a trustworthy employee and a brilliant colleague. We therefore require that an employee is, above all, capable of and willing to learn, motivated, and persistent. At the beginning of the meeting, we make it very clear that this is not an interview but an opportunity for a potential Jidoka employee to get to know their potential future workplace and colleagues as thoroughly as possible (we also visit our employees). During this meeting, Jidoka's task is to explain our company values (caring, honesty/openness, equality) as well as describe our requirements, expectations, and set clear frameworks for cooperation. After this, the applicant takes the lead and gets back to us within a few days if they see us as a potential employer. At the end of the meeting, we also ask for feedback on the opportunity later via email or phone.
A couple of weeks ago, a chap visited us. I am very grateful to him and appreciate him for giving honest feedback. The chap was very smart, determined, precise, and balanced. However, he didn't enjoy our meeting. ☹ He continued to refer to the meeting as an interview, for which, for example, one shouldn't attend wearing a hoodie (I was wearing one). So, this wasn't a traditional ”official-sounding” interview, but a flexible and relaxed introduction to the company and the people working there as they are in their work-day lives. So, it went well: we didn't get past the initial meeting because it immediately became clear that our values didn't align.
Writer
Alex, Business Manager