What to ask when interviewing early-stage employees
Previously on the blog, I shared the first questions I always ask when interviewing at an early-stage startup.
Hint: it’s all about the money.
Now, I’m looking from the other side of the conversation at the questions to ask applicants who are interviewing. While working at early-stage startups (like Klaviyo & Postscript), I’ve gone from interviewee to interviewer on a committee to hiring manager.
For those who are new to early-stage or haven’t been on a hiring team before, I often hear:
“What questions do you ask when interviewing early-stage employees?”
But before I dive into what I look for and ask, here is some context. The first hundred hires firmly set the tone for the rest of the company. Hiring the right people who align with the company's mission and values is imperative. The first hundred will come together to shape how the company organically operates and will be a part of the hiring process for the next hundred.
Keeping the bar high in hiring is also critical to retention.
In the words of a former leader of mine, "As soon as we lower the bar for hiring, you will all be unhappy and leave."
Truer words were never spoken.
What qualities are you looking for?
Beyond technical questions and “why do you want to work here?” what are you screening for? Aligning with the hiring manager and/or founders on this is smart.
For most early-stage startups it’s identifying folks who:
1️⃣ Are highly autonomous/self-starters
2️⃣ Work well with others/collaborate
3️⃣ Are curious/learner types
4️⃣ Can give and receive feedback
5️⃣ Exhibit humility & empathy
Steal my questions (And hire the right candidates faster)
Over the years, I’ve created a bank of go-to questions that work for any level or position, whether for someone reporting to me, a peer, or even upwards.
Walk me through how you approach solving a problem.
Walk me through a project you owned from start to finish.
What makes you frustrated at work? How will I know if you’re not okay?
How do you prefer to work with others?
Tell me about something you recently learned; could be anything, personal or professional.
Tell me about a time you received feedback you disagreed with. How did you handle it?
How comfortable are you giving feedback to your peers?
How do you prefer to receive praise at work?
Tell me about a time you messed up at work. How did you handle it?
When you look back at your career, what has been a victory moment that you’re proud of?
What part of this position are you most excited about? Is there anything in the job description you’re unsure about or not wild about?
If I met one of your close friends, how would they describe you?