I knew something felt off the moment I stepped into the interview room.
The panel exchanged quick glances, almost as if they were waiting to see how I’d react to something unusual. I tried to steady my nerves, telling myself it was just another interview—but a strange tension lingered in the air, like they were evaluating more than my résumé.
Then came the question that caught me off guard:
“If a person was born in 1925, how old would they be today?”
I answered confidently, “One hundred,” expecting a nod of approval. Instead, one interviewer smiled gently and said,
“That might not actually be correct. They may not even be alive anymore. What we really want to know is: how would you figure out the accurate answer if they were?”
Suddenly, it clicked. They weren’t testing arithmetic—they were testing thinking. They wanted to see if I could question assumptions instead of accepting them blindly. Would I ask: “Are we assuming this person is alive?” or “What exact date should I calculate from?” They were looking for patience, curiosity, and the ability to analyze context rather than rush to an answer.
My instinct had been to respond quickly, believing confidence equaled competence. But in that moment, I realized being correct isn’t just about speed—it’s about slowing down, asking the right questions, and examining the full picture.
The interviewer continued, “In this role, guessing can create serious problems. We value people who are curious, not just certain.”
I left the room grateful, despite being corrected in front of everyone. It wasn’t embarrassment I felt—it was insight. That simple question about age taught me something far bigger: accuracy isn’t merely a number—it’s a mindset.
Conclusion
As I walked to my car, the lesson replayed in my mind. How often do we answer life’s questions on autopilot, trusting our first instincts instead of digging deeper? That interview didn’t just test my skills—it exposed a habit I hadn’t noticed in myself. Since that day, I’ve tried to approach problems with patience, skepticism, and curiosity. Sometimes the smallest questions reveal the biggest truths, and a single moment can change the way you think forever.