$25 billion CEO says one-hour interviews are a waste of time—he puts candidates through six hours of tests and wants them to order wine at lunch
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Bupa CEO Iñaki Ereño has replaced standard one-hour job interviews with an intensive six-hour assessment process designed to identify leadership potential and reduce hiring errors. The Fortune 500 Europe executive oversees a healthcare giant generating £18.2 billion in revenue across 190 countries. His rigorous screening method comprises three separate two-hour meetings. The first session involves a detailed review of the candidate’s curriculum vitae. The second takes place at a restaurant, where Ereño evaluates social dynamics, specifically observing how candidates treat waitstaff and whether they demonstrate initiative by ordering wine even if the interviewer chooses water. He views passive behavior as a negative trait. The final meeting returns to the office for personal questions regarding life goals and company expectations. Ereño argues that traditional interviews are insufficient for assessing confidence and proactivity. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure senior hires possess the boldness and respect necessary for high-level roles within his large multinational organization.
💡 Why It Matters
- · This unconventional hiring strategy challenges the industry standard by prioritizing behavioral observation over traditional competency questioning.
- · It suggests that executive success relies heavily on social confidence and initiative, traits often invisible in formal interview settings.
