Bored or Overwhelmed? The One Interview Question That Tells Me Everything
I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates over the years. But there’s one question I always come back to that cuts through the fluff faster than any resume ever could:
“Would you rather be bored or overwhelmed?”
Sounds simple, but it’s a powerful litmus test. It reveals how someone really works, not just how they want to be perceived. And more importantly, it tells me if they’ll thrive in a company like Hawke Media.
Why I Ask This Question
At Hawke Media, we move fast. The pace is intense, the challenges are constant, and you’re rarely sitting around waiting for something to do. Most of us operate in a space that hovers between a normal workload and slightly overwhelmed, and we like it that way.
So when I ask this question, I’m not trying to trick anyone. I’m looking for truth. Boredom might feel safe, but it can suck the life out of a high-performing team. Overwhelm isn’t always fun, but it usually means you’re growing, learning, and actively solving problems.
The way a candidate answers tells me:
- How they handle pressure
- Whether they thrive with multiple priorities
- If they need predictability or if they crave challenge
- How they’ll fit into a high-performance, fast-paced culture
What the Best Candidates Say
The ones who light up when I ask this? They tell me about the time they managed five projects at once or the startup chaos they navigated with a grin. They don’t brag. They just get it. These are the people who don’t need micromanaging. They jump in, ask questions, and push things forward. They see being overwhelmed as an opportunity, not a red flag.
And it’s not just about keeping busy. People who prefer overwhelmed tend to have:
- A strong internal drive
- Comfort with ambiguity and fast pivots
- A bias toward action
- Low tolerance for complacency
These are the traits that keep companies like ours moving forward.
Why Fit Matters More Than Experience
Here’s the hard truth: hire someone who needs a slower pace into an environment like ours, and nobody wins. They’ll feel burned out, we’ll feel let down, and everyone’s frustrated. On the flip side, if someone who thrives under pressure ends up in a rigid, quiet structure, the result is the same. They’ll be disengaged and out the door in six months.
That’s why cultural fit isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a survival tactic.
At Hawke, the idea that you’ll be bored doesn’t exist. If that’s what you’re after, you’re in the wrong room.
For Candidates Reading This…
If you’re job hunting, this question is just as much for you. Forget what sounds right in an interview and focus on what’s true for you.
If your brain fires on all cylinders when things get chaotic, if you like having too much to do, and if you can handle curveballs without shutting down, pay attention to that. It means something.
Because the best job isn’t the one with the fanciest title or perks. It’s the one where your natural pace, your instincts, and your energy actually align with the reality of the work.
So, bored or overwhelmed?
Your honest answer might just lead you to the place where you’ll do your best work and actually enjoy doing it.
