Interviewing Beyond the Resume
By
Elisabeth Zaloznik
Resumes show experience, but interviews should reveal attitude and potential. Learn a structured interview framework to assess motivation, adaptability, and long-term fit.
Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill: Interviewing Beyond the Resume
Resumes are useful—but they’re incomplete. They tell you what someone has done, not how they work, what drives them, or whether they’ll succeed on your team.
If you want hires that last, your interviews have to uncover the traits that predict performance:
motivation, adaptability, and long-term potential.
Why Resume-Based Hiring Fails
Most mis-hires aren’t because someone “can’t do the job.” They happen because:
their motivation doesn’t match the role
they struggle with change or feedback
they lack ownership under pressure
they don’t align with how your team communicates and executes
That’s why the interview needs structure—so you’re evaluating what matters.
A Simple Interview Framework (That Works)
Use three layers:
1) Evidence (Past Behavior)
Ask behavior-based questions:
“Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly—what did you do?”
“Describe a situation where feedback changed how you worked.”
“Tell me about a mistake you made—how did you handle it?”
2) Scenarios (Real-World Situations)
Give a realistic challenge from the role:
“A client is upset and wants to cancel—what do you do?”
“Your team misses a deadline—how do you respond?”
“Priorities changed overnight—how do you re-align the team?”
3) Alignment (Future Fit)
Confirm what they want and how they operate:
“What kind of leadership helps you do your best work?”
“What does growth look like to you over the next year?”
“What environment would not be a fit for you?”
Score It, Don’t “Feel” It
Top hiring teams use a rubric. Pick 4–6 criteria (communication, ownership, coachability, problem-solving, values alignment) and score consistently across candidates.
This is how you avoid hiring the best storyteller.
How True Axis Recruiting Helps
At True Axis Recruiting, we help clients build structured, candidate-friendly interview processes that uncover true alignment—not just credentials.
If you want interviews that lead to confident decisions and better retention, let’s connect.
📞 Schedule a call