'I interviewed over 100 people at Goldman Sachs, and this was the one question I asked every job candidate'
Sarah Jacobs
Before cofounding Solemates, a brand of women's shoe-care products, in 2009, Brown worked at Goldman Sachs for almost six years.
In her various roles, which included analyst, wealth adviser, and chief of staff, she interviewed between 20 and 30 job candidates a year vying for a few highly coveted positions at the investment bank.
"I interviewed over 100 people at Goldman Sachs," she tells Business Insider, "and this was the one question I asked every job candidate: 'What do you like doing the most?' - but I would ask it in two different forms."
Sometimes she asked this question in the form of: "What do you love doing the most in your current or former job?" Other times she asked: "What's your favorite thing to do outside of work?"
"I still love this question because ultimately it gives you insight into who the person really is," she says. "If someone hates making cold calls, but loves data analysis, it's important for you to determine that distinction because each requires totally different skill sets."
If someone enjoys doing a specific job or task, they will probably end up being good at it - or at least passionate about it, Brown adds.
"And I think it's so important to harness people's strengths," she says.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- From terrace to table: 8 Edible plants you can grow in your home
- India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report
- New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months
- Gold plunges ₹1,450 to ₹72,200, silver prices dive by ₹2,300
- Strong domestic demand supporting India's growth: Morgan Stanley