Most interviews are just scripted nonconversations.
The same routine questions.
The same canned answers.
If you want to hire great people, breaking the script is necessary.
Ask: “What does success look like to you?”
This isn’t a trick question.
It’s a window into how someone thinks, what they value, and whether they fit your culture.
Some will define success by numbers—rent growth, occupancy, NOI.
Others will talk about resident satisfaction, team development, or operational efficiency.
There’s no right answer, but there is a revealing one.
Does their version of success align with yours?
Do they think long-term or short-term?
Are they all about personal achievement, or do they see the bigger picture?
Most people prepare for “What’s your biggest weakness?”
No one prepares for this.
And that’s the point.
The best hires are skilled and aligned.
A misaligned hire will cost you time, money, and headaches.
The right one can make your company unstoppable.
If an answer is vague, ask follow-ups.
“How do you measure that?”
“Give me an example.”
Watch their response.
Clarity shows confidence.
Rambling shows uncertainty.
Hire people who define success the way you do, and you won’t just build a team—you’ll build momentum.