If you see signs or hear examples of an applicant taking initiative, it's a reliable indicator the applicant is self-motivated.

Most companies track turnover and know exactly how many of their best performing employees are exiting and why.

What is motivation-based interviewing?

Given enough time and hands-on interviewing experience, most interviewers will eventually learn how to correctly identify high achievers.

If an untrained interviewer uses an unstructured interview format (asks questions that pop into their head), the probability of hiring the best applicant is about 40% according to a Michigan State study.

Excellent job skills means an applicant can do the job, however, it does not necessarily mean he or she will do it better than most everyone else.

Using behavior-based interviewing often results in extending a job offer to a marginal performer.

The applicant with the best job skills will typically be...

Most unmotivated employees were great hires but they changed after they were hired due to poor management, unrealistic job expectations and/or unsatisfactory working conditions.

According to a Harvard Business School study, 76% of turnover can be traced back to poor interviewing practices and bad hiring decisions.