Reprinted with permission © 2008 TreeTop Technologies

Whether you’re formally interviewing a job candidate, or simply trying to get to know someone better, don’t be afraid to dig deep into the past. You’ll be surprised what you can learn from “ancient” history.

When you talk to people about the broader timeline of their experience, rather than just the now and the very recent, you can find out a lot about them and the context that has shaped their worldview. It’s downright fascinating how many different paths can lead to similar career stepping stones. On the other end of the spectrum, it is amazing how often people with similar backgrounds end up choosing completely different paths.

So the next time you ask someone “What do you do?” try following it up with “How did you come to be doing that?” and you might just catch a glimpse of what that person is really all about.

—Karen C. Yeyinmen, Editor, TreeTop Technologies

Footnotes: From "View from the TreeTop" Volume 2 Issue 4 April 2008