CEO: Never leave a job interview without asking this No. 1 question—it 'cuts through the BS'
A desire for this "glove-like" fit is why so many MBA students enroll in my class at NYU Stern School of Business. It's called " Becoming You," and its goal is to help graduates find a job aligned with their purpose. But here's the problem — and it's a big one: Most people know their aptitudes and interests. But their values? Not so much.
My research shows that only about 7% of adults know their values with real clarity. And worse, most don't know how to identify a company's real values, either. Not the ones in the brochure. The real ones.
Nearly every company will say it values empowerment, innovation, and excellence. But let's be honest: Those are just platitudes. The truth is, values aren't what a company says it believes. Values are how work really gets done.
Figuring out a company's values
Ask directly, and you'll usually get those same vague buzzwords. So you'll need to do some sleuthing.
And that's where the job interview comes in. There's one question that cuts through the BS: "What kind of person should not work at this company?"
People who ask it are usually stunned. It almost always catches managers off guard, but that's exactly why it works. Because the answers are often more honest, less rehearsed, and far more revealing.
Here are some real responses my students have heard:
"A person who doesn't want to text on weekends."
"Someone who wants to try out different roles — this is a place for specialists."
"A person who's too social."
"Excessive wokeness does not really fly here."
"Anyone who likes to work on their own too much."
Now we're getting somewhere. These answers reveal true values — in high relief.
Take that first one: "A person who doesn't want to text on weekends." That company might claim it respects boundaries and employee well-being. But this answer tells a different story.
Or, "A person who's too social." Translation: "We prize focus and independence. Community? Not so much."
I'm not saying any of those values are wrong — unless they're wrong for you.
Keep in mind that this question is best saved for the end of your interview process, ideally after you've received an offer. Why? Because it can be so disarming to hiring managers that you want to make sure you have good rapport with them before you launch it.
And since this question can make people get a little defensive, it has to be delivered with just the right tone. You need to sound pleasantly curious, not investigative, even though indeed, you are being a little bit investigative.
How to get clear on your own values
You can get a ranked list of your core values by taking " The Values Bridge," a test I developed with my team. When I started teaching at NYU Stern in 2021, building an assessment tool was not on my to-do list. But the seven values exercises I was using in class weren't giving students the precision they needed.
People kept confusing values with virtues, despite my best efforts. Virtues are broadly agreed-upon ideals: Fairness, Integrity, Honesty. We all endorse them. But values? They're different. Values are choices — about how we want to live and work. They're not good or bad, just right or wrong for you.
Take the value of Scope, for example. People with high Scope want stimulation: learning, adventure, novelty. Low Scope individuals seek calm, predictability, and peace.
There are 15 values in total — like Affluence, Familycentrism, Achievement, and Radius. You can test for all of them — and you should. Especially if you're job hunting. Because once you know your values, you can assess if a company shares them.
Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed researcher, popular podcaster and three-time NYT best-selling author, most recently with " Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career." A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Dr. Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing.
Are you ready to buy a house? Take Smarter by CNBC Make It's new online course How to Buy Your First Home. Expert instructors will help you weigh the cost of renting vs. buying, financially prepare, and confidently navigate every step of the process—from mortgage basics to closing the deal. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
28-07-2025
- CNBC
'What should I do with my life?': A Harvard-trained career expert tells us exactly how to answer
You are you, right? Seems straightforward. But are you the you you want to be? The one living the life and pursuing the career you should be? Suzy Welch knows from experience that many people aren't. Not yet. She's spent over 15 years developing and testing a methodology to help people discover their "authentic purpose," based on: Welch calls it "Becoming You." Through her course at NYU Stern School of Business, workshops, and private sessions, she's seen thousands of people learn about themselves in hopes of answering the question: "What should I do with my life?" CNBC Make It put "Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career" on our first book club shortlist because, as Welch writes, "most of us struggle with this our whole lives." If you haven't had a chance to read, or could use a quick recap before Wednesday's discussion in our private LinkedIn group, here are a few key takeaways: Welch divides her book into three parts accordingly: Your values are "your authentic wants, needs, and desires. Your deeply held beliefs about how your life — and life in general — should be," Welch writes. Welch spent years, as part of her PhD research and beyond, "identifying, testing, validating, and codifying" what she considers the 15 "core human values." They include, for example: The Values Bridge assessment Welch created "reflects the distance between your current life and the one you should be living, and would if you could," she writes. "The hard part is what to do next: figuring out how to build that bridge to the future." You might think you already know what you're good at, but "identifying your aptitudes almost always does take work," Welch writes. First, she explains, it's important to understand that aptitudes aren't skills or competencies, which we acquire and practice through education or training. "Aptitudes those things. They're the inborn faculties that make us good or better at certain skills, competencies, and areas of expertise." Welch identifies eight cognitive aptitudes, all of which fall on a spectrum. They include, for example: She also highlights four personality traits she believes are particularly important in the process of "Becoming You," including "wonderment," which is all about curiosity and currency, as in being current about what's going on in your job function, industry, and more. Knowing your values and aptitudes isn't enough. Welch often sees her students struggle. "What kind of work calls them emotionally and engages them intellectually, they wonder, and is it tenable as a life and lifestyle they desire?" So the third part of the process is about figuring out their interests and the corresponding opportunities — "the jobs, companies, and industries that make up the world of work today" and "the economic trends on the horizon." If you think of values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests as intersecting circles, that spot at the center where all three overlap is your purpose, or what Welch calls your "Area of Transcendence." Finding it is the ultimate goal of the "Becoming You" methodology. "One of the hardest things to know in life is ourselves," Welch writes. But the methodology is "deeply personal," and "for Becoming You to work, it cannot be performative," she writes. "The process requires radical honesty with yourself." This is one of the reasons she uses so many assessments, exercises, and challenges in the "Becoming You" process, many of which she includes as appendices in the book. They're meant to help you go beyond the superficial answers. "It can be fearsome, humbling, and occasionally embarrassing to admit who we are. But we truly do need to know so that we can set out on the journey toward who it is we must become." Welch, who writes that she hates platitudes, might nevertheless agree with these two: People change. Things change. Becoming You "is not intended as a prescription, a one and done," she writes. It "is meant to be a forever thing, a way of thinking and sorting things out that you return to at every crossroads, time and again." Want to talk about it? Request to join our LinkedIn group, and come talk with us and Welch on Wednesday, July 30, at 10 a.m. ET, at our next CNBC Make It Book Club discussion. In the meantime, you can also read Welch's recent articles, including on signs you're living a "B+ life" and the No. 1 question you should ask in a job interview that "cuts through the BS." Any questions for the author? Email them to us in advance at askmakeit@ using the subject line "Question for Suzy Welch." Hoping to get ahead on the next book? Our August pick is "Rich AF: The Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life" by Vivian Tu. Have suggestions for future picks? Send them to us at askmakeit@ using the subject line "Make It book club suggestion."
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Scott Galloway says the American Dream is now a ‘hallucination' — but has it ever truly been ‘easy' in the US?
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Going to an elite school, landing a good job and buying a home may have once seemed like a sure path to achieving the American Dream. But according to Scott Galloway, a renowned marketing professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, that path no longer works. The reason, he explains, is simple: Homes have become so expensive relative to earnings that even graduates with eye-watering salaries can't afford them. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how 'When I got out of business school, the average salary was $100,000. I went to a quote-unquote elite business school … The average house in San Francisco cost $280,000, so 2.8 times the MBA salary,' Galloway recounted in a recent appearance on the Jay Shetty Podcast. 'Now, the kids at Haas — still an elite business school, incredible compensation, average $200,000 right out of business school — but the average home in San Francisco is $2.1 million.' In other words, while elite graduates are earning more than previous generations, the sheer surge in home prices has left them far behind. Galloway believes the problem stems from the reluctance of existing homeowners to allow new construction in their neighborhoods. 'As soon as you have a house, you become very concerned with traffic, and you start showing up to local review meetings and making sure no new housing is built, which is great if you already own a home,' he explained. A recent Zillow report estimates the U.S. faces a shortage of 4.7 million homes. Dream, hallucination or fantasy? Galloway has a blunt assessment of the situation. 'I think young people have given up on the American dream of owning a home,' he told Shetty. He pointed out that conditions have shifted dramatically against new homebuyers since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Pre-pandemic, a house is $290,000. Post-pandemic, it's $420,000. Interest rates [went] from 3% to 7%, [the] average mortgage went from $1,100 to $2,200,' Galloway noted. 'All of a sudden, the American dream has become a hallucination, a fantasy.' Research suggests that over the years, homeownership has indeed become substantially more difficult for Americans. According to a 2024 Zillow study, buyers now need to earn more than $106,000 annually to comfortably afford a typical U.S. home. This calculation assumes spending no more than 30% of income on the monthly mortgage with a 10% down payment. In 2020, that income threshold was only $59,000 — meaning the required earnings have jumped by 80%. Zillow also noted that in 2020, the $59,000 needed to buy a home was actually less than the U.S. median household income of $66,000 at the time. That's no longer the case. Today's required $106,000 is well above the median. 'Housing costs have soared over the past four years as drastic hikes in home prices, mortgage rates and rent growth far outpaced wage gains,' Zillow Senior Economist Orphe Divounguy said in the report. How to get on the real estate ladder — starting with $100 Given these challenges, Galloway noted that for young people, saving for a home today ''is almost impossible.' Yet despite the hurdles, real estate remains a popular investment choice for those looking to hedge against rising living costs. When inflation goes up, property values often climb as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to rise, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation. While buying an entire house may feel out of reach, it's now easier than ever to start investing in real estate thanks to crowdfunding platforms like Arrived. Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants. The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment. Another option is Homeshares, which gives accredited investors access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that's historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — Galloway's simple hack: 'forced savings' With so many enticing products and services vying for consumers' attention, Galloway pointed out that 'it is nearly impossible for a young person to save money if it comes through their hands.' His solution? Something he calls 'forced savings' — money you never see, because it's invested automatically. He specifically mentioned using 'the Acorns app that rounds up and puts the money automatically into a low-cost index fund.' Acorns is a popular app that does exactly that. When you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and invests the difference — the coins that would wind up in your pocket if you were paying cash — into a diversified portfolio of ETFs. Buying a coffee for $3.40? The app rounds it up to $4 and invests the extra $0.60. Over time, those small amounts can add up — especially if you're consistently spending and saving. It's a simple, set-it-and-forget-it way to build wealth from money you might not even miss — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey. What to read next How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement 5 simple ways to grow rich with US real estate — without the headaches of being a landlord. Start now with as little as $10 This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Financial aid only funds about 27% of US college expenses — but savvy parents are using this 3-minute move to cover 100% of those costs Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
CNBC
03-07-2025
- CNBC
CEO: Never leave a job interview without asking this No. 1 question—it 'cuts through the BS'
Do you want a job you love, at a company you love, with values you love? Of course you do. That's the dream for just about everyone. And frankly, companies want the same thing. When employee values align with company values, you get engagement and retention. It's a win-win. A desire for this "glove-like" fit is why so many MBA students enroll in my class at NYU Stern School of Business. It's called " Becoming You," and its goal is to help graduates find a job aligned with their purpose. But here's the problem — and it's a big one: Most people know their aptitudes and interests. But their values? Not so much. My research shows that only about 7% of adults know their values with real clarity. And worse, most don't know how to identify a company's real values, either. Not the ones in the brochure. The real ones. Nearly every company will say it values empowerment, innovation, and excellence. But let's be honest: Those are just platitudes. The truth is, values aren't what a company says it believes. Values are how work really gets done. Figuring out a company's values Ask directly, and you'll usually get those same vague buzzwords. So you'll need to do some sleuthing. And that's where the job interview comes in. There's one question that cuts through the BS: "What kind of person should not work at this company?" People who ask it are usually stunned. It almost always catches managers off guard, but that's exactly why it works. Because the answers are often more honest, less rehearsed, and far more revealing. Here are some real responses my students have heard: "A person who doesn't want to text on weekends." "Someone who wants to try out different roles — this is a place for specialists." "A person who's too social." "Excessive wokeness does not really fly here." "Anyone who likes to work on their own too much." Now we're getting somewhere. These answers reveal true values — in high relief. Take that first one: "A person who doesn't want to text on weekends." That company might claim it respects boundaries and employee well-being. But this answer tells a different story. Or, "A person who's too social." Translation: "We prize focus and independence. Community? Not so much." I'm not saying any of those values are wrong — unless they're wrong for you. Keep in mind that this question is best saved for the end of your interview process, ideally after you've received an offer. Why? Because it can be so disarming to hiring managers that you want to make sure you have good rapport with them before you launch it. And since this question can make people get a little defensive, it has to be delivered with just the right tone. You need to sound pleasantly curious, not investigative, even though indeed, you are being a little bit investigative. How to get clear on your own values You can get a ranked list of your core values by taking " The Values Bridge," a test I developed with my team. When I started teaching at NYU Stern in 2021, building an assessment tool was not on my to-do list. But the seven values exercises I was using in class weren't giving students the precision they needed. People kept confusing values with virtues, despite my best efforts. Virtues are broadly agreed-upon ideals: Fairness, Integrity, Honesty. We all endorse them. But values? They're different. Values are choices — about how we want to live and work. They're not good or bad, just right or wrong for you. Take the value of Scope, for example. People with high Scope want stimulation: learning, adventure, novelty. Low Scope individuals seek calm, predictability, and peace. There are 15 values in total — like Affluence, Familycentrism, Achievement, and Radius. You can test for all of them — and you should. Especially if you're job hunting. Because once you know your values, you can assess if a company shares them. Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed researcher, popular podcaster and three-time NYT best-selling author, most recently with " Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career." A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Dr. Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing. Are you ready to buy a house? Take Smarter by CNBC Make It's new online course How to Buy Your First Home. Expert instructors will help you weigh the cost of renting vs. buying, financially prepare, and confidently navigate every step of the process—from mortgage basics to closing the deal. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025.
