The
following is said to be an initiative test that has been used as part
of the recruitment process by a well-known investment bank.
You are driving along in your two-seater car, on a cold, stormy night.
You pass by a bus stop, and notice three people waiting for a ride home.
There in
the queue is a very old lady, who's clearly seriously ill and needs to
get to a hospital, an old friend who once saved your life, and the
perfect partner you have spent many years dreaming
about.
Knowing
that you only have room for one passenger in your car, who do you decide
to give a lift to? You could pick up the old lady and help save her
life, select your old friend as he once saved
yours, or choose that perfect partner you may never see again, unless
you make an immediate move.
The smart answer is:
Give the
car keys to your old friend, and get him or her to take the old lady to
hospital. Then remain behind to be with the man or woman of your dreams.
(This shows commonsense, compassion, and
the fact that you are able to grasp opportunities as they arise)
The correct answer is:
Run over
the old lady to put her out of her misery, obtain your perfect partner's
address and telephone number, and drive off for a beer or glass of wine
with your old friend'. (This shows that
you are ruthless, well organised and are loyal to those who have
supported you in the past - in essence, a perfect investment banker).
The wrong
answer is to take the old lady to hospital, and leave your perfect
partner in the hands of your old friend. (This shows that you are easily
side-tracked from the main task at hand, fail
to grasp opportunities as they arise, and allow rivals to get one up on
you).
An
alternative answer, provided by one of our readers, is to lend your car
to your friend to take the old lady to hospital, get on the bus with
your dream partner to ensure that she gets home safely
and obtain her mobile phone number in the process. (This shows strategic
thinking and compassion, and demonstrates that you are able to see a
task through to completion).
