Interviewing with Dogs.

I always talk about my dog when I'm conducting an interview.

Why? Because interviews can be nerve-wracking—and that’s not just for the person being interviewed. People are nervous. Heck, I’m nervous too sometimes. But here’s the thing: we’re not splitting atoms here, we’re just having a conversation. And if I can make someone feel a little more comfortable, I’ll get to know them—not just the answers they’ve memorized from an internet search.

Interviews are an opportunity to learn about the person across from you. And yet, it's easy to forget that they might be feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. Their heart is pounding, they’re thinking about their answers, and they’re trying to figure out exactly what you want to hear. But the reality is, everyone gets nervous. It’s part of being human.

I recently interviewed a candidate who was clearly anxious. I could hear the slight tremor in his voice and saw the hesitation in his pauses as he gathered his thoughts. So, I shifted the conversation. I asked him about his pets, specifically if he had a dog.

And just like that, his face lit up. His body language softened. The tension in his voice disappeared. And in that moment, I started learning about him. Not just what he thought I wanted to hear, but the real version of him. That’s when I was able to gauge not only his qualifications but whether he'd be a great fit for the team.

Skills can be taught. Character is something you learn through conversation—and you’ll only discover it when candidates feel comfortable enough to open up.

So let’s stop treating an interview like a quiz. Let's keep the human in human resources. When you ask someone to talk about their greatest strengths or the challenges they’ve faced, keep it light. Keep it open. Interviews should be more of a dialogue than a one-way interrogation. The person across from you is likely nervous but also excited to share their story, their skills, and their hashtag#passion. If you can make the conversation feel natural and relaxed, you’ll both get more out of it.

In the end, it’s not about the questions you ask—it’s about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to show who they truly are.

And sometimes, that starts with talking about dogs.