When you are interviewing candidates for an executive-level job, some of the most important distinctions between the candidates will be their leadership style and culture fit.
Executives are usually in leadership positions and they are responsible for setting and meeting goals while also ensuring that the people they are managing can support those goals as well.
It is expected out of executives to deliver results and make tough decisions, which is why it is crucial how they fit within the team.
In this article, we will be exploring some of the best executive interview questions to ask when interviewing candidates for a C-level position. You will find all the right executive interview questions to ask the candidates as well as the reason to ask them so that you can tailor your interview to best fit your circumstances.
Here are the 26 best executive interview questions (and why you should ask them)
1. How would you describe our company?
If you want to determine whether or not a candidate has researched your company, you should ask this question. Candidates that have done their research are almost always the ones that are actually interested in the job.
2. Why do you want to work here and be a leader in our company?
This question should help you understand whether the candidate’s professional values match with the values you need from your leaders. A mismatch in values could have negative consequences on your company.
3. As a leader, what are your strongest traits?
Ask this question to determine how the candidates view themselves as a leader and which of their positive traits do they value the most.
4. What is your management style?
This is one of those executive interview questions you should ask if you want to learn more about how the candidate plans on managing the employees and what type of leader they view themselves as.
You should look for candidates that have a similar management style to the other executives in your company and that works for your employees.
5. What do you think needs to be changed at this company? Where are we succeeding?
Another great question to determine whether or not a candidate has done their research about your company. The right candidate is most likely the one that has shown that they are familiar with your history and what you do.
6. How do you reward your employees for doing good work?
Rewards are important for the efficiency, productivity, and happiness of employees. If your employees are not satisfied with their job and the benefits they get, your company will suffer.
That is why this is one of the most important executive interview questions, as you want to hire a candidate that shares the same values as you when it comes to rewarding employees.
7. How would you approach an employee that is performing their work poorly?
To determine what type of motivator a candidate is, ask this question.
You will want to look for a candidate that can motivate your employees to fix their mistakes without causing any stress, anxiety, or negativity with them or other employees.
8. Please describe your last manager. What did you admire from them?
This question is a great reflection of what leadership traits a candidate truly admires and upholds both from their past employers and in general.
You want to look for candidates that admire the same traits as the other leaders in your company.
9. Did you ever have a negative experience with a manager? If you did, what caused it?
Ask this question if you want to hear how the candidate learns from experience and how they use their previous experiences to perfect their leadership style.
10. How do you motivate your employees?
To figure out whether the candidate has the right skills and methods to motivate the employees they are leading, be sure to ask this question.
11. What are you looking to accomplish in your first six months as an employee in this company?
This is a great question to get an insight into how the candidate plans and strategies, as well as what their current plans are.
The answers to this question will also show you whether the candidate’s plans align with the plans of the company and what do they already know about how your company operates.
12. What is your strategy for increasing the company revenue?
The task of almost all executives is to bring money to the company. That is why this is one of the most important executive interview questions that you need to ask.
The answer to this question could help you determine whether the candidate has the right experience, knowledge, and skills to generate revenue for the company and thus help you fulfill your financial goals.
13. How would you sell an idea to your team?
All great leaders have to be great at persuasion.
Ask this question if you want to see how a candidate approaches a situation where persuasive skills are needed, which happens regularly