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Let’s be honest, hiring is probably the most intense task a manager will face during her/his people management journey. Especially within startup environments, it is critical to nail the best possible hires early, to avoid turnover and poor cultural fit.
For this reason, we interviewed several leaders in the marketing, product and engineering space to find out best practices and identify the best interview questions for startups.
Here the list:
1.
Explain a critical decision you've had to make with little data. What was the process you used?
Why: Startups usually lack real decision data.
Look for: Creativity in acquiring outside data or assistance.
2.
How would you prioritize a product roadmap with little customer feedback?
Why: Early stage startups usually have few customers so feedback is limited.
Look for: Focus on go to market feedback with limited feature creation.
3.
What is the most complicated problem you have solved with few financial resources?
Why: Navigating in a cash constrained environment is hard and requires resourcefulness.
Look for: Proven ability for creative problem solving and efficiency.
4.
What will be your biggest areas of contribution beyond your day to day job?
Why: Startups need more than role players.
Look for: Other areas of passion or interest within the business.
5.
How will you help us attract more great talent to this company?
Why: Hiring is the lifeblood of the scaling startup. Set the tone for the importance of hiring at every level.
Look for: A desire and willingness to help bring in the best talent.
6.
What ideas do you have for growing the business?
Why: Innovation is crucial as a small business grows.
Look for: This answer will give you a sense of the type of thinker this individual is.
7.
Tell me something you are learning right now.
Why: Startups and small businesses must have individuals focused on growth.
Look for: We need to always be looking over the horizon at the next possible challenge.
8.
What are a few overarching principles about [relevant topic] that you think are extremely important?
Why: values are the backbone of startups, one can never go against own principles
Look for: Honesty. Honesty. Honesty.
9.
What is the difference between a good manager and a bad manager?
Why: people leave companies mainly because of bad management or lack of recognition
Look for: Look for bad management traumas from the past, and just be a better manager
10.
How was your team better because you were a part of it?
Why: self reflection, especially in the business world, is a precious resource
Look for: Look for professional, and perspectively leaders, who like to elevate others, not themselves
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