Employee recruiting: Ask them the last time they bought sneakers
June 10, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Rules made to be broken
Are you looking for key questions to ask job applicants that will ensure you hire potential leaders? A question about their footwear may be in order.
What’s your biggest accomplishment at your current job? (Boring!)
What’s your weakest trait? (They’re well prepared for this one.)
What are your career goals? (Last time I heard that one I fell off my dinosaur.)
When is the last time you bought sneakers? (WINNER!)
You may risk applicants thinking you have some kind of foot fetish, but it might just be the key to uncovering future leaders in the workplace.
Mindset Media found people who buy more than three pairs of sneakers a year are 61% more likely to have the qualities of a modern leader.
The same multi-sneaker purchasers are 50% more likely to be very assertive and 47% more likely to be spontaneous. (Hey, I think I’ll go out right now and buy another pair of sneakers – how’s that for spontaneous?)
The research also uncovered two other traits associated with buying and spending.
Looking for creative people? Ask if they own a hybrid car.
People who pay off their credit card bills each month are “highly deliberate” when thinking through their actions.
Getting back to those sneaker-buyers: They’re also more likely to fly by the seat of their pants.
So if you spot an applicant who steps out of a hybrid and is wearing new sneakers, make sure you ask a question about paid-up credit-card bills. You could be dealing with the perfect employee.
Tags: applicants, recruiting, sneakers
June 13th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I would say that anyone who decides to hire based on how many sneakers they bought is an HR BLUNDER waiting to happen. Such a question might open an area of inquiry, but basing a hiring decision on statistics found in some study is just not sound.
June 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Mike,
I could not have said it better. I only happen to own one pair of sneakers and I bought those 6 years ago (I’m not very hard on my shoes) I still have boots from highschool and I’m 45!
I would hate to think that someone is making a decision based on my footwear instead of my abilities.
June 13th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
When I looked at the date of this article I was hoping to see April 1, 2008. I’ve always been trained and have trained our potential interviewers to keep the questions work related. I’d risk outright saying that considering the rate of sneaker purchases could be deemed disproportional discrimination although pleasing to the sneaker company Marketing Team or sponsored that Mindset Media survey.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I have to wonder it this could be considered discrimination. If I ask the question of someone who is not able to afford new sneakers, would it be discriminiation? Some of the employees we hire can’t afford descent housing.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
WHAT!!! Why would any hiring authority ask that question? I don’t care about your sneakers. My job is to make sure you can perform the necessary functions of the job. I don’t care what type of car you drive as long as you can get to work. As a staffing specialist I would not allow my selecting authority to ask that question.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
My immediate thought is that a person who goes thru “sneakers”, aka trainers or running shoes in my closet, is more active and therefore healthier (less absenteeism). Also that person has demonstrated follow through in his/her personal life with a commitment to fitness.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that you ask this question in lieu of other questions about his or her qualification and experience.
A little sense of humor can brighten your day –
September 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Sneaker frequency purchases as one “indicator” for deciding an applicant’s potentiality for employment? Puh-leeze! I’ve enjoyed working at the same job for 20+ years; have one recorded absence during that time frame and numerous awards and recognitions. I take pride that my employer appreciates and respects me. And the feeling is mutual.
In my initial interview, I was desperately needing employment. Our family was facing serious medical surgery for one of our children. Hospital costs, physician fees, and associated prescriptions were all we could handle, in addition to putting food on the table and paying the mortgage. I owned one pair of sneakers and they were “hand-me-down’s” from our oldest son. I shudder to think my qualifications may have been overlooked because my budget didn’t allow for leisure footware.
I could probably walk in the front door, bare footed, and be welcomed with open arms.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I fear that someday we won’t be able to ask applicants their name for fear this could be considered discrimination.