Problem Solving
This investigative role is the metaphor for Problem Solving—digging through evidence—while its creative counterpart, the Architect, represents Solution-Oriented thinking.
What is a "detective"?
Turning “This won’t work” into “How might we…?” exemplifies this mindset-shift technique.
This type of questioning helps uncover the business context behind a job opening.
What is deep or intentional questioning?
This metric tells you how long it takes from posting a role to making a hire.
What is time-to-fill?
Recruiters should always lead with this when trying to understand hiring needs.
What is curiosity?
Developed at Toyota, this relentless questioning method keeps drilling “Why?” until the real root cause appears.
What is the "5 Whys" technique?
This phrase is used to describe a team that jumps straight to quick fixes—“all Solution-Oriented, no diagnosis”—instead of first finding the root cause.
What is "firefighting"?
Understanding how people work together, where they do it, and how tasks flow helps recruiters grasp these important factors.
What are team dynamics?
A clear, consistent scoring tool used to compare interview ance across candidates.
What is a structured interview rubric?
This mindset allows recruiters to solve hiring problems, drive fair processes, and improve the hiring manager and candidate experience.
What is critical thinking?
Also called an Ishikawa diagram, this aquatic visual sorts causes into "bones."
What is a Fishbone Diagram?
Empathize → Define → Ideate → Prototype → Test are the five phases of this human-centered innovation framework.
What is "Design Thinking"?
A recruiter asking if 5+ years in a tool is truly needed is doing this.
What is challenging assumptions?
This type of analysis helps you identify where candidates are dropping out of the hiring .
What is funnel or pipeline analysis?
Sitting in on these helps ensure candidates are evaluated holistically and helps the recruiter gain further insights into the role.
What are interviews and debriefs?
This phrase is used to describe the underlying reason a problem exists—the deeper culprit uncovered by methods like the 5 Whys.
What is a "root-cause"?
Picture the 2030 finish line first, then work backward to today’s next step using this planning style.
This type of intelligence involves researching competitors, market trends, and candidate motivators.
What is market intelligence?
A strategy that helps teams plan for talent shortages, budget constraints, or profile gaps.
What is scenario planning?
Asking open-ended and follow-up questions improves this during screenings or intakes.
What is understanding and evaluation?
When a team spends endless time diagnosing and no time implementing—“all Problem Solving, no action”—it has fallen into this two-word trap.
What is "Analysis Paralysis"?
If you need solution ideas by close of business, this brainstorming framework may be best to help jumpstart ideas quickly instead of doing full-blown Design Thinking sessions.
What is SCAMPER?
Instead of focusing only on titles or salary, recruiters using this skill learn what candidates really want, like leadership opportunities or meaningful growth.
What is uncovering candidate motivators?
Recruiters use this analytical skill to break down intricate technical roles and requirements into understandable components
What is simplifying technical complexity?
Sending this after meetings ensures shared understanding.
What is a recap email?