Are Outrageous Hiring Interviews the New Wave?

Just recently in the news there was a story about anprepared for the climb clothing wise. Obviously he
Internet company called Image Net who conductedwas not one of the ones hired. Would you hire
job interviews on Mt. Fuji in Japan. Image Net sellssomeone who could not even show up for an
mostly women's clothing on the Internet and I thinkinterview properly attired? Sometimes a suit and tie
it's safe to say Image Net thinks "outside the box."just doesn't cut it.
Lets examine why and see if this "outside the boxThis type of interview also gave the company a
thinking" is conducive to hiring new job applicants.chance to see who was lazy, who was determined,
When they put out their ad for the job there werewhich applicants were team players, unselfish, and
50 applicants. 21 were invited toclimb Mt. Fuji to beprepared for the unexpected.
interviewed. 15 of those applicants showed up andYour typical job interview is not going to bring out
only 11 made it to the top to interview. Out of thosethese traits in applicants nor is it going to show you
11 three to four were offered jobs.these personality traits.
The president of Image Net, Mr. Daiji Kanda, climbedWith many resumes being nothing more than hype
the mountain with the applicants and at differentand exaggerated truths I see this trend in unique job
levels of the climb would stop and tell the applicantsinterviews growing. Apparently so has Hollywood. I
about the company and their business.am sure you've seen
Mr. Kanda and his staff gave lots of encouragementThe Apprentice with Donald Trump and now the
to the applicants as they climbed.latest one with Martha Stewart.
When they reached the top of the summit theyIf you're a hiring manager and want applicants where
were told to video tape models and then they wereyou can actually see their work habits and personality
interviewed.in action I suggest you take a lesson from Image
I believe this type of interview process is going toNet.
catch on with forward thinking companies and I'll tellIt's also a bonus to note that this company got huge
you why.PR from this single job interview.
The climb provided several different opportunities forThe company is based in Japan yet we heard about
management to see how the applicants helped eachthe story all the way across the pond in North
other. Which ones were natural leaders and takingAmerica.
responsibility.All in all I would say Image Net came out a big
One applicant when interviewed said he was soakingwinner. Great new employees plus a ton of free
wet from the rain and climb and was not properlypublicity for the company.