This could be a good question, when it's a high-value position of which a big part of it involves depending on the person's advice/judgment.
If they give what seems like a very honest and thoughtful assessment, that's a good sign.
But seems useless or counterproductive, if it comes off to them as just a nonsense ritual or trying to assert power. And if you don't alienate them, they might still give you a counterproductive sales answer, and that also then sets the tone for if you hire them and want honest assessments.
> If they give what seems like a very honest and thoughtful assessment, that's a good sign.
In 99% of cases, the real, honest answer is "I couldn't possibly know, because I don't know all the candidates for this job". Which makes it a very boring interview question.
The only time where that doesn't apply is a very, very tiny niche where you know all of the qualified people.
You could also see that as a prompt "pitch us why you're a good candidate", which also seems pointless, because pitching yourself is a big part of the interview already.
This could be a good question, when it's a high-value position of which a big part of it involves depending on the person's advice/judgment.
If they give what seems like a very honest and thoughtful assessment, that's a good sign.
But seems useless or counterproductive, if it comes off to them as just a nonsense ritual or trying to assert power. And if you don't alienate them, they might still give you a counterproductive sales answer, and that also then sets the tone for if you hire them and want honest assessments.