Would you read a book to get a job?

The average worker reads one book per year.” – Grant Cardone

If you were interviewed for a job and in order to get the job you would have to read a book, would you read the book? In past articles I have talked about the multiple round system of interviews we developed to help us find the best applicants to work with us. After reading “The 10x Rule” I decided to try something new with prospective new hires. I asked the applicants to read a book about customer service to get a job with us.

In “The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure” author Grant Cardone writes that the average worker only reads one book a year and the average CEO reads 60 books a year – 60 books! If the average worker reads one book and the average CEO reads 60, Grant makes the case of why would you complain as a worker if you’re making less money? It got me thinking about my employees and potential new hires at my companies. I wanted to bring up the average books read by workers at my companies so I decided to start people off with the line: “Your future is in your hands at this company. Here is a book I will lend you and when you’re done with the book, email me your thoughts on it and how it will help you with your career path and I will get you on the schedule.”

I believe it is working, as we have some of the best groups of people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I may have lost a few books on prospective hires who never got back to me, but I guess reading a book wasn’t worth it. However I have had others get motivated to read the book and get back to me within a day or two. I don’t worry about the books I lend out and don’t get returned because the loss of a book is much cheaper than hiring the wrong person.

Would you read a book to get a job? Let me know your thoughts william@tacomaweekly.com.