If you're searching for an executive to join your c-level staff, you know how valuable interview time can be. With so much at stake, you want to gather as much information about each candidate as you can. However, time is at a premium during the chaotic search process. To get the most out of your face time with a candidate, here are three questions you can't afford not to ask:
How are your communication skills?
All CEO candidates are screened for their ability to communicate effectively, so they will be expecting a similar question from you. While a scripted answer can tell you how polished they can be when they have time to prepare (which is helpful in its own right), exemplary communication requires effective delivery despite uncertainty. Ask for this direct self-evaluation at a point in the interview when candidates are not expecting it, and you will see how their communication skills stand up when they are forced to think on their feet.
Explain the thought process behind each of your career moves.
Having candidates talk you through the big decisions in their career story can give you a look under the hood at their critical thinking and problem solving skills. You can expect candidates to employ the same decision-making strategies they use to negotiate forks in the road in their own careers as they would in times of stress as CEO of your company.
What potential for change do you see in this company, and how do you see yourself affecting that change?
While many interviewers ask candidates what changes they see in the future of the company, it is even more valuable to find out what role candidates plan to take in implementing this shift. This question gives interviewers a sense for their leadership style during times of change, adding color to resumes that may speak to their track record in stable environments.
To get even more out of your interview time, it's important to start with a well-qualified pool of applicants. Working with a retained executive search firm can help you get the right candidates in front of you sooner, allowing you to dig deep to find an executive who will help your company thrive.
Finding people is easy, but finding the RIGHT people is not. YES Partners helps companies FIND the right people – for all company functions, across many industries and globally.
