Nonprofit – CEO

Position Name: CEO

Interviewer

Candidate Name

Interview Date

Introductory Questions

– Interviewer(s) share name, role, tenure, and hand business cards for thank you messages
– Share a brief overview of the company
– Give Candidate the Job Description, highlight Job Purpose, Schedule/Travel, Major Challenges & Key Decisions, and Physical Requirements

Tell us about yourself.

Walk us through your resume.

Transitional & Verification Questions

– Clarify any unclear information from resume or application
– Verify availability for work hours and schedule, start date, and other important details

[Education Verification – example: Are you currently enrolled in a Master’s program?]

[Certification Verification – example: When did you complete your PMP Certification?]

Technical Questions

– Ask job related questions, based on skills and competencies needed for the role
– Ask open ended questions that allow candidates to tell a story about a specific example
– Ask 5-10 questions based on the role and how much time you have (~3-4 minutes per question)
– Listen for recent examples, details, consistency, the candidate’s role in the story, and teamwork
– Take notes and ask clarifying questions as follow-ups

List your top 3 technical skills.

What specific areas (related to the position) do you consider yourself the most knowledgeable? What areas have you had less experience or do not feel as comfortable with?

Behavioral / Situational Questions

– Ask job related questions, based on skills and competencies needed for the role
– Ask open ended questions that allow candidates to tell a story about a specific example
– Ask 5-10 questions based on the role and how much time you have (~3-4 minutes per question)
– Listen for recent examples, details, consistency, the candidate’s role in the story, and teamwork
– Take notes and ask clarifying questions as follow-ups. Follow up questions may include:
- Tell us more about the action you took and the outcome.
- What did you say at that point?
- How did you react to that situation?
- Explain your role in more detail.
- Tell me in detail what steps you took.
- And what was the result?
- Describe the obstacles you faced in getting it done.
- What other options did you consider?
- Why do you think you reacted as you did?
- How do you think others felt about your actions at the time?
- Were you satisfied with the outcome of your actions?
- If the same or a similar situation presented itself, what would you do differently?

Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Describe a time when you overcame a major obstacle.

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Describe a situation in which you had to get started on something but didn’t know what to do.

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Describe a situation in which you had to get started on something but didn’t know what to do.

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Adaptability

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with changes in organizational direction that impacted your work. How did you respond?

Situation:

Action:

Response:

How would you rate yourself in terms of being flexible in your style? Can you give an example of when you were flexible and when you were not? What was different about the circumstances?

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Conflict Management

Give me an example of a time when you confronted a negative attitude successfully.

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Tell me about a time when you successfully challenged another’s idea.

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Creativity/Innovation

What is the most innovative thing you have done in the last six months? Why did you go this direction? What was the driving business need?

Situation:

Action:

Response:

Candidate’s Questions

– Be sure to leave time for their questions, generally 1-3
– Paint a positive but honest view of the pros and cons of the work and culture

Notes

Closing Questions

– Describe where you are in the process, next steps, and when they can expect to hear back
– Ask if they have any final remarks

What is one thing I should know about you that I haven’t asked?

What could you bring to this position that other candidates could not?

Interviewer Assesment

Enter your overall assessment about the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and fit for this position.

Would you recommend this candidate advance in the process?