Interviewing

Interviewing Executives

Generally, there are two types of questions posed by interviewers:

  • Permissive-allows candidates to say whatever is on their mind.
  • Restrictive-calls for a “yes” or “no”; narrows response options.

Both types of questions are very appropriate in an inteview. Permissive questions yield more information and restrictive questions clarify.

Interview Strategy:

One of the best predictors of future behavior in a position is past behavior in a candidates career. Therefore, if we examine a candidate’s prior decisions, motivation, rational of career changes, leadership practices, etc., we gain insight into the can didate’s probability for success and whether or not there is a good fit.

Another way to determine what recommendation you would make regarding a candidate, is to examine the “can he/she” and “will he/she” of the leadership position. For example: skills, experience, and credentials, etc. help you determine “can he/she”; while examples of: motivation, sense of urgency, critical decisions and leadership impact will help you to form an opinion on “will he/she” do this assignment in the manner we think it should be done.

Question areas you might consider:

Background:

  • Where did you grow up and was there anything that influenced you in your early years?
  • How did you go about selecting a college or university?
  • What was the basis for your selecting a major or concentration?
  • Other?…….

Career:

  • How did you get started in your career?
  • What prompted early career changes?
  • How did you happen to move from company “X” to company “Y”?
  • Where did you have your greatest advancement and what do you think was the basis for those promotions. (Why were you promoted?)
  • Other?……

Development:

  • What self-development efforts did you make once you started your career? As you progressed through your career?
  • What has been your posture on staff development?
  • What strategy on development would you bring to “our company”?
  • Other?……

Decision Making:

How would you describe  yourself in terms of….

  • Decision making?
  • Sense of urgency?
  • Patience with change?
  • Attention to financials?

What have been some of your most recent decisions that you feel were significant? And why?

What major staffing decisions have you made recemtly? What was achieved as a result of these decisions?

  • Business growth?
  • Market share?
  • Profitability?
  • Other?…..

Accomplishments:

  • What significant results have you achieved?
  • What were your most recent achievements?
  • How did your leadership impact those results?
  • What do you consider the major achievements of your general management (P/L) experience?
  • How and where did your leadership have a significant impact on: Sales/Marketing, Engineering/Product Design?

Expectations:

  • What expetations do you have for this position?
  • What results would you expect to achieve during your first year?
  • How would you approach starting this assignment?
  • Based on your experience, what challenges would you anticipate facing at “our company”?
  • Do you have any thoughts on business improvement opportunities for “our company”?
  • Other?…..

Leadership:

  • Describe your leadership style?
  • Is there consistancy in your leadership style? Exceptions?
  • What was your leadership impact at “X” company? In your last position?
  • What would your most recent direct reports say about you as a leader? About your effectiveness? About your management style?
  • Tell us about your leadership impact on profitability at “X” company? On the marketplace? On the Growth of the business? On the cost of improvements? On the management staff?
  • What leadership skills do you feel you would bring to this position with”our company”?
  • What strategy do you employ for change?
  • What key decisions have you made that increased market share?
  • What significant decision did you make regarding a critical financial situation?
  • What was the most challenging organizational issue you faced in recent years? What was achieved?
  • What do you think is unique about yourself?
  • If you had to select a top executive leader and all your candidates had a history of success, what would you consider as the next most important factor in the selection process?