What was the last book you read?
In a Hurry? Quick Answer
Name a real book you've actually read (preferably recent and work-relevant), share one key takeaway, and connect it to your professional growth or the role you're applying for. Avoid saying you don't read.
The Recruiter's Mind
They're assessing intellectual curiosity and continuous learning. Do you invest in self-improvement? Can you extract insights from what you read? This seemingly casual question reveals whether you're curious, thoughtful, and committed to growth—qualities that predict long-term success.
Example Answers
Business/Professional Book
"I just finished 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman. It explores how our minds use two systems of thinking—one fast and intuitive, one slow and deliberate. The section on cognitive biases was eye-opening, especially anchoring bias, which I've noticed in salary negotiations and project estimations. It's made me more aware of when I need to slow down and think more critically, especially when making important decisions at work."
Industry-Specific Book
"The last book I read was 'The Phoenix Project' by Gene Kim. It's a novel about DevOps transformation, which was perfect timing as my team is currently implementing CI/CD pipelines. The concept of 'The Three Ways'—flow, feedback, and continuous learning—has directly influenced how I approach our deployment processes. I actually recommended it to my team, and we've adopted some of the practices described in the book."
Fiction with Insight
"I recently read 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir. While it's science fiction, what struck me was the protagonist's problem-solving approach—breaking down impossible challenges into smaller, testable hypotheses. It reminded me a lot of how I approach debugging complex systems at work. Plus, it was a refreshing break from technical reading, which I think is important for maintaining creativity and perspective."
Red Flags to Avoid
- Saying "I don't really read books" or "I haven't read in years"
- Lying about a book you haven't actually read (they might ask follow-up questions)
- Naming a book from high school required reading
- Choosing controversial political or religious books that might polarize
- Being unable to share any takeaway or insight from the book
- Rambling about the plot without connecting it to anything meaningful
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
- Be genuine: Only mention books you've actually read and can discuss.
- Share a specific insight: Don't just name the book—explain what you learned.
- Connect to work: Link your reading to professional development when possible.
- Recent is better: Mention something you've read in the past 3-6 months.
- Mix it up: It's okay to mention fiction, but have a thoughtful reason.
- Research the company: If the CEO wrote a book or frequently recommends one, consider reading it.