Interviewing My Next Boss

[Shellhead]

This isn't some euphemism for asking questions at the end of an interview for a job that I'm seeking. I am actually going to be interviewing a strong candidate for the new President of our company. I find this to be an unusual and uncomfortable situation, and I need to come up with enough questions to make the interview close to one hour in length.

Our company was founded by two people in 2002, and they rounded up some investors in 2003 to fund the startup costs. In June of 2007, the CEO (my first boss) forced out the other founder with the backing of the board of directors. In July of 2008, that same board forced her to resign, and made the replacement of the other founder the new CEO (my second boss). Now my current (second) boss has just announced that he is recruiting a new CEO to take over our company, because he is moving into management of a different company, and also becoming an investor and Chairman of the Board of our company.

This job candidate is meeting with all of our managers, but he is on the inside fast track, with nobody else in the running, because he has successfully worked for our current CEO in the past. Realistically, unless he does something really crazy on Monday, he is going to get the job and become my new boss (#3). The candidate has a PhD in a science that is closely related to our specialty, and also has an MBA.

So what kind of questions should I ask this guy? Should I pretend this is a real job interview? Or should I be selling myself almost as though I were applying for a job with him, given that he is almost definitely my new boss? Should I ask him a lot of questions about his previous work with my current boss? Ask him about his management style?

[Gordon Smith]

Why are you being asked to interview him? What's the rationale for doing something like that?

[Shellhead]

Why are you being asked to interview him? What's the rationale for doing something like that?

It's our wacky corporate culture, we want every job candidate interviewed by at least five people. I also interviewed my current CEO, back when he was just being brought in as Chief Operating Officer.

[hoffmandu]

Well I'd start out asking which Ultimates he prefers: Millar or Loeb.
Shatner VS Stewart.

Spidey 2 vs Spidey 3

Blade vs Twilight.

Counter Strike VS Halo

Matts Bar VS 5-8 Club

Perkins VS Keys Cafe

Vikes VS Pack

That ought to tell you everything you need to know.

[dupont2005]

"do you swing?"
and
"know where i can score some dank?"
should be in there somewhere

[Shellhead]

Would it be out of line to ask him some "hypothetical questions" that happen to be about actual current problems here? That way, I can have him primed to go after these problems as soon as he gets the job.

[Omega Alpha]

Would it be out of line to ask him some "hypothetical questions" that happen to be about actual current problems here? That way, I can have him primed to go after these problems as soon as he gets the job.

That's a good idea actually.

Anyway, don't be tough on him, but don't be too soft either.

[CarlosTheDwarf]

"Tell me about a time in your previous position where your frustration level rose high. What did you do to deal with it?"

"What most attracts you to this position?"

"What do you least look forward to in this position?"

"Describe your style as a manager of employees."

"What are your questions for me about this position?"

And yes - your hypotheticals are good. Don't get to grainular though.

[Paul McEnery]

Would it be out of line to ask him some "hypothetical questions" that happen to be about actual current problems here? That way, I can have him primed to go after these problems as soon as he gets the job.

That's okay. But asking him about previous screwups might be more illuminating.

[howyadoin]

Ask him if he likes having his ass kissed. If he says no, he's a liar.

[Paul McEnery]

Ask him if he likes having his ass kissed. If he says no, he's a liar.

Yeah, buy you run the risk of him going into detail about exactly how he likes his rim jobs.

[Winslow]

Do you like me?

Check: ____ Yes ____ NO

Seriously ..... If your old boss is not in on the interview, then ethical questions regarding accounting and reporting to the board would be appropriate (I remember the thread where you thought you were going to be fired). I would even tell him upfront what you as an accountant are comfortable with, and ask him if he is comfortable with your accounting ethics.

[Shellhead]

Thanks for the suggestions. I particularly like Paul's idea that I pose questions related to our past screw-ups, and Winslow's idea that I ask a question related to the ethical situation that came up last spring. And Hoffmandu, I could actually ask my current boss those questions and get some good answers. He's an old Marvel fan. He doesn't read comics anymore, but he loves the comic book movies.

[Cloudman]

Make sure that your questions are very vague, and include random, pointless jargon such as "How would you dialogue with your employees about utilising the company's resources?" If he gives you an answer, you know he's a complete bullshitter.

After this, throw in some fart jokes to see if he's really immature.

Then, tell him that you slept with his wife, and throw pieces of paper at his head. Command him to polish your shoes. If he doesn't punch you for all of this, he's a pussy and a coward.

Basically, use any form of entrapment that you can, such as offering him a cigarette. If he says yes, tell him off for trying to smoke in the workplace.