tech
$25 billion CEO says one-hour interviews are a waste of time—he puts candidates through six hours of tests and wants them to order wine at lunch
Most job interviews last around 45 minutes. Bupa CEO Iñaki Ereño thinks that’s nowhere near enough time to know if someone is actually worth hiring—so he puts candidates through six hours of tests across three separate meetings instead, including a restaurant sit-down where he’s watching whether you’ll order wine.
TL;DR
- Bupa CEO Iñaki Ereño uses a six-hour, three-meeting hiring process instead of standard 45-minute interviews.
- A key part of the assessment is a restaurant meeting where candidates' behavior, including drink orders and treatment of staff, is observed.
- Ereño prioritizes initiative, confidence, and respect, believing these qualities distinguish leaders.
- Other CEOs also use unconventional methods, such as observing whether candidates salt their food before tasting or asking about their 'I' usage, to gauge personality and teamwork.