Sample Questions for Reference Discussions
Confirmation of General
Impressions
- How long have you known Candidate and in what context?
- What are your general impressions of Candidate?
- How would you describe Candidate's personal demeanor -
aggressive, laid back, etc.
- How would you describe the Candidate - a loner -
introverted or more outgoing and people-oriented? (Please describe some specific traits.)
- How much of a perfectionist is the Candidate? (Please
describe some specific traits.)
- What is the Candidate’s management style? (Please
describe some specific traits.)
- How do you feel Candidate would perform in the President
and Chief Operating Officer role that I just described?
- What level of management do you think Candidate is capable
of handling?
- How willing is the Candidate to work a 70-hour week if
required? (Please describe some specific examples)
- What would you consider to be Candidate's key
accomplishments?
- Tell me about Candidate's integrity.
Information about Traits, Style,
Experiences and Abilities
- How would you describe Candidate's problem solving
techniques and abilities?
- Is Candidate an individual performer or team-oriented?
Please describe some specific traits.
- How does senior management perceive the Candidate?
- How is the Candidate perceived by his subordinates?
- How is the Candidate perceived by his peers?
- What have you learned from Candidate?
- What has Candidate learned from you?
- How strong do you think Candidate's ____________ skills
are?
- What do you perceive as Candidate's weaknesses?
- Tell me about Candidate's rapport building/relationship
building skills.
- How well does Candidate meet deadlines and complete
projects thoroughly?
- What is Candidate's reputation and interaction style with
his customers?
Managing the New Employee
- What steps should my client take to successfully
assimilate the Candidate into the organization?
- What steps should my client take to insure Candidate's
success in the new environment?
- What will be the best way to introduce ______to the
organization?
- Describe Candidate's personality in difficult or stressful
situations.
- Tell me about the Candidate’s ability to be a leader,
mentor and coach.
- What style of management works best with ________? What is
the least effective?
- What does ________look for from a mentor?
- How "professionally proactive" is the Candidate?
(Please describe some specific traits.)
Miscellaneous
- What other comments would you would like to make?
- Whom do you know that would make a better candidate than
____________?
- What questions have I not asked that I should have?
- Would you be willing to speak directly to the Chairman
about _____________?
Additional questions are tailored to the
needs of the Client and typically include specific questions resulting from the interview
process. |