Three key techniques separate the fakers from the makers. 1. Ask uncomfortable questions These seven serious questions help reveal the character of the candidate. Note they aren’t cute or tricky (“If you were a tree …”). Only real-world questions uncover the data you need to make an accurate decision. Give me an example of a time when you had to do the hard thing or have a difficult conversation. Give me an example of a time when you weren’t getting along with a co-worker. How did you resolve that situation? What’s the last thing on which you and your boss disagreed? How did you settle it? Tell me about a time you dealt with an angry or frustrated customer. What are your top five professional accomplishments? (Then drill down to get specifics on each. Did the candidate drive the accomplishment or did they ride the coattails of a coworker?) What do you consider the single most important idea you contributed in your current job? At your previous job? Part of emo