UrAssIsSaaS

SaaS Eater

Acclaimed Answer

Unpopular Opinion: I hate when a candidate asks how they performed

I know most people will say to ask for feedback at the end of an interview, however as a hiring manager, I absolutely hate this question. Especially when someone bombs an interview. I am happy to deliver feedback to the candidate that is genuine in hoping they can perform better in their next conversation with another company, but it always makes things awkward as shit in the interview.

For context I was in an interview with my hiring counterpart yesterday and this dude bombed, we cut the interview short by half and at the end he asks us how he did. The other hiring manager and myself just stared at each other for 5 seconds and then I delivered some genuine feedback to the candidate, but bro, have some self awareness.

So question for the group, what question do you hate being asked as a hiring manager?

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🧢 Sales Management

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36 comments

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paddy

WR Officer

11

Director of Business Development

I can understand this sentiment. It depends how it's asked. Sometimes it kind of sounds like someone is asking how well they bullshitted themselves and how convincing they sounded during the interview.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

5

SaaS Eater

Ya I also feel like they ask this when they are just out of questions and need to fill space. It screams lack of confidence to me.

paddy

WR Officer

3

Director of Business Development

If they want feedback about how well they conveyed their value or value of the product then that's fair but otherwise just asking "so how'd I do??" screams insecurity.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

Ya exactly. If framed correctly as you outlined it works, aside from that, its a no from me dog

funcoupons

WR Officer

8

👑

I don't love it either. Honestly, I don't see the point of it. Most hiring managers are fine providing feedback, but asking for it on the spot and face to face often makes for an uncomfortable situation especially if the candidate bombed, like you had mentioned.

When I used to hire I hated when people had NO questions to ask. Like, really? Nothing? You can't think of a single thing you want to know about the company, role, or hiring process?

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

Lol ya 100%. Also you cant think on your feet well enough to just bullshit something? How the fuck can I trust you to run discovery with customers if the convo isnt scripted if you aren't curious enough to ask 1 question of the person you will spend 40 hours a week reporting to.

funcoupons

WR Officer

4

👑

Exactly. It just makes people seem so disinterested and lazy. Hard no from me.

UserNotFound

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Question- I have always used some version of "is there anything I haven't asked yet that I should be asking?"

but I haven't interviewed since 2013, and I'm about to hop back into to... so how does that land these days?

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

4

SaaS Eater

I think this is OK, assuming you have asked some smart questions prior but I certainly wouldnt lead with it. I've also never been asked this so not sure how I would take it.

Is this an opportunity for me to sell you on the role if I think youre a fit? I would probably respond pretty canned here, you tell me what you are curious about learning more and I can take the convo in that direction.

funcoupons

WR Officer

4

👑

I don't hate it, don't love it. It'll likely catch the interviewer off guard and make them feel like they have to pitch you. Just come prepared with some well thought out questions instead.

UserNotFound

Politicker

0

Account Executive

No, it's never my first or only question... more of a chance to let the hiring manager give me a shot at asking questions they expected me to but I didn't. (For instance, if you expect me to ask something industry specific but I didn't- had this happen in office eq once where I missed asking about the MIF, but it was because I didn't care much about existing MIF in that territory)

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

2

SaaS Eater

Got it, if its been well received in the past, go for it.

I would just take it as a chance to sell you on the role if you asked me that and I thought you were a good fit.

BigCheese

Notorious Answer

6

Agency Recruiter

I fully agree with this. Regardless of it being awkward, 95% of the time there are extra analyses to be made and other candidates to interview. I generally don't have 100% of my feedback ready to go right after the interview anyways.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

4

SaaS Eater

Ya exactly. I have initial impressions I can share, but my thoughts have not fully formalized yet, and now you're just making me feel uncomfortable which isnt helping your cause.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

Yeah. I'm stuck on the weird part. I mean, it's a little odd.

someoneinsales

Tycoon

3

Director of Sales

What perks do you have.....

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

So true... just tell me why you are really here

someoneinsales

Tycoon

2

Director of Sales

I also had someone apply for the job online. Interviewed them and the first question they ask was why should I work here......Dude you applied to me, I didnt come to you. You should already have an idea of why you want to work at a place if you are going to take time to interview.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

Couldnt agree more

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

2

sales

Is there room for advancement?

I see this as a two edged sword. It shows me they're focused on going north but it also shows me they're not focused on the task at hand. It scares me a little because I want to say, 'you have to do the job you're being hired for, first.'

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

4

SaaS Eater

Ya I agree. I like the idea that they are thinking about growing their career but lets pump the breaks first. You gotta prove you can do it first.

someoneinsales

Tycoon

2

Director of Sales

This one always makes me laugh! Just answer of course. We cant talk about it in detail here. Meet me out back in 20. I got that GHG plug.

WolfOfDalalStreet

Fire Starter

1

SDR

I like it when the interviewer highlights the good and bad parts about the candidate after the interview.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

Is this prompted by you as a candidate? Or the hiring manager is just willingly throwing out positives and negatives at the end of the interview?

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

I think the situational awareness piece is key here. If you horribly fucked up, you know. I’ve done laughably bad at interview and literally laughed walking out the door. You also gotta be so careful these days giving feedback so you don’t get slapped with the bias label. I prefer “what could I have done better” or “is there any coaching you’d recommend for the future?”

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

Ya I'm always very wary of the feedback I deliver so I dont get hit with a bias issue. Try and always keep it really tactical and related directly to their sales skills.

Sniper

Valued Contributor

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Yes or no questions

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

4

SaaS Eater

If its going poorly and someone asks me a yes or no question Ill just give them the one word answer, always throws people for a loop.

ChunkyButters

Tycoon

0

AE

Is this different than the soft close?

As a seller I'm always trying to drive towards next step and get it locked in during the meeting. I try to apply this to interviews. Not usually with a hiring manager, but more with Sales Execs / CEOs I've interviewed with.

After I ask my questions, I close with something like: "Do you have any reservations moving to the next step with me?"

What's your feedback on that approach? lol

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

IMO it depends on when this is being asked in the interview process. If its in the initial screen I don't mind it and will tell the candidate my main concerns in the hope they will take that feedback and address it in the next conversation.

If its later in the process and I have reservations, you aren't moving onto the next round.

ChunkyButters

Tycoon

0

AE

Fair enough. I only ask when I feel like I performed well and want to work with the company.

Not an every time thing.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

3

SaaS Eater

If I were you, and you feel like your performed well, leave it off.

HeStoleMyTwix

Valued Contributor

1

AE

You read this 'technique' online and it shows

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

I typically only ask for feedback when I get the email saying I wasn't chosen. If I've made it through several rounds of interviews I feel I put in the time to at least hear where I was lacking. Comes from an honest desire for self improvement.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

4

SaaS Eater

I have no issue with this at all, and think its a great idea at this point. I am happy to provide genuine feedback after the process via email, or will get on the phone if desired. I just hate when I'm asked in the interview setting.

Flippinghubs

Opinionated

0

Account Executive

I have asked this before as a way to get better and learn. But i respect where youre coming at this from

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