My favorite job interview question right now, credited to Peter Thiel is:
What’s the one thing that you believe to be true, but nobody else agrees with you?
I find this question fascinating because:
- Identifies innovators. Most innovators have contrarian view points.
- Demonstrates courage. It can be embarrassing to state a contrarian and potentially far-fetched point of view with a stranger, the interviewer. To do so demonstrates the candidates comfort with him or herself.
- Exemplifies persuasion. It’s not enough for one to say they believe that the sky is purple. To claim that belief requires evidence, facts and logic.