Great candidates also want to be great employees. They know every organization is different -- and so are the key qualities of top performers in those organizations.

Maybe your top performers work longer hours. Maybe creativity is more important than methodology. Maybe constantly landing new customers in new markets is more important than building long-term customer relationships. Maybe the key is a willingness to spend the same amount of time educating an entry-level customer as helping an enthusiast who wants high-end equipment.

Great candidates want to know, because

1) they want to know if they will fit in, and

2) if they do fit in, they want to know how they can be a top performer.