The CEO of Tupperware explains why spends most of an interview talking about everything except the job

Rick Goings

Keep the conversation fluid, says Rick Goings (pictured).

Rick Goings may have served as Tupperware's CEO for over 20 years, but he still views himself as "a talent scout and mentor" when it comes to recruiting.

When trying to fill a position, Goings puts together a description and then relies on his corporate officers to develop a pool of candidates.

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"I tend to be the last one to screen a candidate," he told Business Insider. "Then I meet with my team to discuss their insights and perceptions on each candidate."

When interviewing with Goings, candidates don't have to worry about nailing questions that will twist their brains or throw them for a loop. He said he likes to keep things simple.

"I don't have a fixed set of questions that I typically use," he said. "Rather, I try to make the candidate feel comfortable and make a connection. The more they relax, the more I get to interact with the 'real person.'"

So, what kinds of things does Goings like to talk about?

"During the interview, I like to get into where they grew up, their parents' vocations, the kind of activities they enjoyed in high school and college," he said. "It's important to get them talking about significant things that are revealing to me. At some point, I shift to the open position, the company, the future. But that is at the end of the interview."