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

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.