At the interview, tell applicants what they are stepping into. Do not sell.

technique — attributed to Paul Bulencea & Claus Raasted

When the College interviews applicants, there is no selling. The candidate has to demonstrate genuine interest and an open mindset. The conversation is mostly the team explaining what the candidate is about to step into, because the format strips away the usual guardrails of events and some people will be uncomfortable not knowing what will happen. The reframe matters. The interview's job is not to recruit, it is to make sure both parties have an accurate picture of the contract. Anyone who needs to be sold on the experience is the wrong fit, and the interview is the place to find that out.

For programs whose experience depends on participants arriving ready to engage with uncertainty. The technique works for executive retreats, leadership cohorts, and any immersive format where consent and clarity matter more than headcount.

selection, self-selection, expectations, interview