If you aim for building high effective teams you might try to find not the person which can sell himself the best or which got the best skills for a position, you might search for motivation.
Here a few questions and approaches how you can figure this out better than by these dragging case-studies or standard HR questions.
Background Exploration:
"Can you tell me about a time when you pursued knowledge or a project related to this topic on your own initiative?"
This question aims to uncover self-driven encounters with the topic, suggesting intrinsic motivation.
Passion Indicators:
"What aspects of this topic excite you the most, and why?"
A genuinely motivated person will likely have specific areas of interest and can articulate reasons for their excitement.
Knowledge Depth:
"Could you explain a concept or development within this topic area that you find particularly fascinating or significant?"
This helps assess the depth of the person's interest and understanding by seeing if they keep updated or have substantial knowledge in the area.
Learning Commitment:
"How do you stay informed or continue learning about this topic?"
Look for indications of consistent effort in learning or engaging with the topic.
Past Experiences:
"What challenges have you faced while learning or working with this topic, and how did you overcome them?"
Motivation is often exemplified by perseverance through challenges.
Future Vision:
"Where do you see yourself in relation to this topic in the next few years?"
This question will reveal if the individual has a long-term interest and goals related to the topic, which is a strong indicator of motivation.
Personal Projects:
"Have you undertaken any personal or volunteer projects that involve this topic? Can you describe them?"
Personal or volunteer projects often reflect a person's interests and motivations since they're typically self-chosen.
Reflection:
"Why do you think this topic matters in our field or the world in general?"
This question tests the depth of their thought on the topic's relevance and can reflect a level of passion and understanding.
By careful listening to not only what is said but also how it is said—tone, enthusiasm, detail—you can gather intuitive data. Non-verbal cues, such as eye contact and gestures, can also be insightful when assessing motivation.
Be aware that different cultures express motivation differently, and what may seem like a lack of enthusiasm in one cultural context could simply be a matter of normative communication style. Similarly, nervousness can sometimes mask a candidate's true enthusiasm, so it's important to provide a comfortable atmosphere that allows genuine interest to shine through.
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