Top US CEO's simple interview question that can instantly disqualify candidates

Gary Shapiro has one key question he asks any candidate during a job interview. (Representational)

In the high-stakes world of job interviews, sometimes a single question can determine whether you land the role or walk away empty-handed. For Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), this make-or-break moment comes with a deceptively simple question: "How soon can you start?"

Shapiro, who has led CTA for over three decades and oversees the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, US, believes that a candidate’s answer to this question reveals critical insights about their professional integrity. Speaking to CNBC, Shapiro explained that for candidates currently employed, offering to start immediately or within two weeks is an instant red flag.

“If they say they can start in less than two weeks — and they’re still employed — they don’t get the job,” Shapiro stated bluntly. His reasoning? "They’ll treat us the way they treat their former employer."

Shapiro values loyalty and commitment, even if a candidate is seeking to leave a job they may not enjoy. “I want an [employee] with a level of commitment to their organisation where they won’t leave their employer hanging,” he said.

Shapiro’s philosophy extends beyond just hiring. It’s about how employees exit as well. He notes that how someone leaves their previous job reflects their character and professionalism, factors crucial to his decision-making process.

Employees departing CTA are expected to provide at least two weeks' notice, and Shapiro even considers this when re-hiring former employees, often referred to as “boomerang” hires.

One memorable interview, in which Shapiro hired a new chief operating officer, illustrated his approach. The candidate, when asked how soon she could start, responded that she would need up to six weeks to properly transition from her current job. “I was very thankful she answered that way,” Shapiro said. “I said, ‘That’s perfect. You got the job.’”