Finding Your Next Top Executive: Essential Questions for the Interview Process

Interviewing senior-level executives can be a challenging task, as these individuals are often highly experienced and knowledgeable. However, by asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insights into their leadership style, decision-making process, and strategic thinking. Here are some of the best questions to ask when interviewing someone for a senior-level role within your organization.

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what keeps you motivated to stay at the top of your game?

This question can help you understand the executive's passion for their work and what drives them to succeed. It can also provide insight into their long-term career goals and aspirations.

Can you tell us about a time when you faced a significant challenge in your role as an executive, and how you overcame it?

Asking this question can give you a sense of this individual's problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to navigate complex situations. It can also highlight their leadership style and how they handle adversity.

What are the most important values that guide your leadership style, and how do you communicate those values to your team?

This question can help you understand the candidate's management philosophy and the values they prioritize in their leadership. It can also provide insight into how they motivate and inspire their team.

How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends and emerging technologies, and how do you incorporate that knowledge into your strategic planning?

Asking this question can give you a sense of the executive's commitment to ongoing learning and their ability to adapt to change. It can also provide insight into their strategic thinking and their approach to innovation.

Can you tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision, and how did you arrive at that conclusion?

This question can help you understand their decision-making process and their ability to weigh complex factors and make tough choices. It can also highlight their level of comfort with risk and uncertainty.

How do you prioritize and manage your time, and what strategies do you use to ensure that you are able to focus on the most important tasks?

Asking this question can give you a sense of the executive's time management skills and their ability to prioritize effectively. It can also provide insight into their work-life balance and how they maintain their own productivity.

What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement, and why?

This question can help you understand the candidate's career trajectory and the accomplishments they are most proud of. It can also provide insight into their leadership style and the impact they have had on their organization.

Can you tell us about a time when you had to lead a major organizational change, and how did you ensure that it was successful?

Asking this question can give you a sense of the change management skills and their ability to lead their organization through significant transitions. It can also provide insight into their communication skills and their ability to engage stakeholders.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenges facing your industry or your organization, and how do you plan to address those challenges?

This question can help you understand the person's strategic thinking and their ability to anticipate and respond to future challenges. It can also provide insight into their vision for the future of their organization and their industry.

How do you ensure that your team is aligned with your organization's mission and vision, and how do you hold them accountable for achieving their goals?

Asking this question can give you a sense of the executive's management style and their approach to team building. It can also provide insight into their ability to set clear expectations and hold their team accountable for results.

My Take

Interviewing a senior-level candidate requires careful preparation and thoughtful questioning. By asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insights into their leadership style, decision-making process, and strategic thinking, which can help you make informed decisions about their fit for the role and their potential to drive the success of the organization.

It is important to remember that each executive is unique, and you should tailor your questions to the individual's background, experience, and industry. With the right questions and an open mind, you can gain valuable insights into the qualities and capabilities that make the person successful.

Brian Hagman is President of Hagman Search, a boutique search firm helping clients who focus on Brake Systems, eMobility, and Automated Driving.

Brian is also President of Hagman Media with digital platforms that include The BRAKE Report, The EV Report, and Self Drive News.

Connect with me Brian Hagman