Interviewing with CEO this week for an Enterprise AE role and wanted to gather potential questions that might come up from them of me.
Thanks.
ThomasRCallahanIII
Interview with CEO
13
I've always found when interviewing the CEO, that if you ask them a few calculated questions early on, they will talk 75%+ of the interview -- and give you great feedback. I would prepare 1-2 well researched questions. "I've heard that you guys are growing x%, why do you think the growth is happening?" (product, market uptick, etc) -- most CEO's love the sound of their own voice, leverage that.
Throw in a few well-placed "Oh really? Why's that?" and before you know it the interview is over
I would say it's more important to prepare your questions rather than answers to potential questions.
A great way to show your competency for a sales role (which I assume is what you're interviewing for) is thru asking insightful questions.
For a CEO - Some thoughts on lines of questioning:
- What near-term risks and opportunities are top of mind for you?
- What long-term risks and opportunities are you concerned about?
- How is your GTM organization structured today and how does this role fit in?
- What does success look like in this role at 6 months and 1 year, from your perspective?
- What does success look like for this company 1 year from now?
- (If it's still a private company) What is your exit plan to return value to shareholders?
These questions should provide for at least 30 minutes of conversation as you peel back the onion, showing how savage of a seller you really are.
Great that you did some prep - Be ready to offer some challenger-sale-esque recommendations or thoughts against these questions.
A great way to show your competency for a sales role (which I assume is what you're interviewing for) is thru asking insightful questions.
For a CEO - Some thoughts on lines of questioning:
- What near-term risks and opportunities are top of mind for you?
- What long-term risks and opportunities are you concerned about?
- How is your GTM organization structured today and how does this role fit in?
- What does success look like in this role at 6 months and 1 year, from your perspective?
- What does success look like for this company 1 year from now?
- (If it's still a private company) What is your exit plan to return value to shareholders?
These questions should provide for at least 30 minutes of conversation as you peel back the onion, showing how savage of a seller you really are.
Great that you did some prep - Be ready to offer some challenger-sale-esque recommendations or thoughts against these questions.
Some questions I'm always prepared for every interview are;
Can you walk us through your resume?
What diffentiates you from other candidates?
What is your managment style?
Why do you want to work here?
Why should we hire you for this job?
Some I ask are;
How did the position become available?
What challenges do you see ahead for this role/company?
where do you see this industry going?
What are your expectations for this role in 30/60/90 days.
Have you seen anything in other candidates that you haven't seen in me that I could speak
Can you walk us through your resume?
What diffentiates you from other candidates?
What is your managment style?
Why do you want to work here?
Why should we hire you for this job?
Some I ask are;
How did the position become available?
What challenges do you see ahead for this role/company?
where do you see this industry going?
What are your expectations for this role in 30/60/90 days.
Have you seen anything in other candidates that you haven't seen in me that I could speak
CEOs love this question:
Why do you want to work here?
They don't want you to answer with a "well I love product, the culture, the team" bullshit. WHY do YOU want to work for them? Do you see it as an opportunity to grow your skillet and prepare for the next thing? Do you see this as your next "forever role"? Are you psyched up about the industry they are in and want to be a part of it (and why do you want to)?
OR, CEOs really fucking hate interviewing people and they're going to ask you some bullshit and try to qualify you out. If that is the CEO you are working with I'd reverse the interview and ask them why you should join the team. Why should you choose this company, and why does this CEO stand to be the best leader that can help you maximize your potential?
Why do you want to work here?
They don't want you to answer with a "well I love product, the culture, the team" bullshit. WHY do YOU want to work for them? Do you see it as an opportunity to grow your skillet and prepare for the next thing? Do you see this as your next "forever role"? Are you psyched up about the industry they are in and want to be a part of it (and why do you want to)?
OR, CEOs really fucking hate interviewing people and they're going to ask you some bullshit and try to qualify you out. If that is the CEO you are working with I'd reverse the interview and ask them why you should join the team. Why should you choose this company, and why does this CEO stand to be the best leader that can help you maximize your potential?
What job are you interviewing for?
Do you mean questions you might get from the CEO, or questions you want to ask the CEO?
Make your time personal. You want to have a descriptive, strategic story so they won't forget you.
Tell me about yourself
Why Are You the Best Person for the Job?
Why Do You Want This Job?
How Has Your Experience Prepared You for This Role?
Why Are You Leaving (or Have Left) Your Job?
Why Are You the Best Person for the Job?
Why Do You Want This Job?
How Has Your Experience Prepared You for This Role?
Why Are You Leaving (or Have Left) Your Job?
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