Why ex-Google exec always starts an interview by asking about candidates' 'life before their resume'?

Jennifer Dulski knows what she's looking for when she's hiring.

The CEO and founder of Rising Team, who specializes in team development programs, has previously held leadership positions at Google and Facebook. When hiring new team members, she prioritizes adaptability, resilience, creativity, and ambition.

To ensure a candidate has these qualities, she doesn't only inquire about their career success. Instead, she begins by asking them to describe their life prior to their resume.

Here's why.

'I can see those patterns in people's early life'

Dulski believes that a candidate's character traits are more important in determining their suitability for the job than their work experience.

She can identify individuals who possess ambition, creativity, adaptability, and the ability to overcome obstacles by examining their early life experiences. For instance, she may search for stories about starting a business or selling lemonade or T-shirts as a child. If interviewing an engineer, she may look for tales about disassembling and reassembling objects to understand their functionality.

"When they apply that natural drive and effort in their lives, they're likely to do the same at work," she says.

'Tell me about your life before your resume'

Good salespeople typically reveal their passions and achievements early in life, even before being asked, according to Dulski.

She asks, "Tell me about your life before your resume."

"What qualities do you possess that make you the person you are on paper?" she asks. "Share only what you feel comfortable with." This prompts the candidate to tell a story that reveals their strengths and qualifications.

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