Most job interviews follow a predictable format. Interviewers pose several questions to gauge candidate skills before reaching their decision.
However, when interviewing an entrepreneur it is essential to prepare for additional questions that require deeper knowledge of their business or require a more personal approach.
Keep it short and to the point
Staying focused during an interview increases its odds that its subjects will recall what was said later and makes it easier for others to follow along and understand points made. Writing questions so they are organized logically may also assist; for example, starting off with general inquiries before diving deeper into specific details can help.
Interviewers don’t want to read long paragraphs about early career experiences; choose only key highlights and stick with those. Use the “Who-What-When-Where” framework when discussing these early roles so as to capture the interviewer’s attention and stand out.
Be prepared
Writing down your thoughts and questions before an interview is a good way to demonstrate that you have done some research into the company or role in question, while showing your genuine curiosity for both. Furthermore, find out what kinds of questions will be posed from entrepreneurs in advance so that you can prepare accordingly.
Successful entrepreneurs must balance their goals with their capabilities in order to establish lasting companies. They must develop infrastructure that supports business expansion while controlling expenses and managing risks – for instance, Sara Blakely used technology, marketing, and supply chains to turn $5,000 into a billion dollar company when she created Spanx.
Be prepared for questions regarding their experience, career path and reasons they chose entrepreneurship over other career options. Use this as an opportunity to gain insight from their point of view while discovering your own motivations for starting up a company.
Be flexible
Informational interviews can be a useful way for business owners to identify whether an entrepreneur would make an effective addition to their team, while interviewing entrepreneurs themselves can provide invaluable insight into which skills and habits will lead them to success as an entrepreneur themselves.
Question your interviewees about why they chose an entrepreneurial path over corporate careers; understanding their motivations may help you uncover your own reasons for starting up their own venture.
Ask your interviewees how they differentiate themselves from competitors – this could include anything from offering unique products or services, to clever branding techniques. Whatever it may be, find out how your interviewee separates themselves and consider ways in which these tactics could apply to your own business.
Be honest
When interviewing entrepreneurs, your questions must be open and honest. Honest answers help build trust between yourself and the applicant, as well as help determine if he or she fits well within the culture and mission of your company.
Successful business owners likely boast many successes and failures alike. Don’t forget to ask about their biggest errors and what lessons were learned from them.
However, be wary not to get too personal or pose inappropriate questions during interviews. Discussing finances could quickly turn awkward; non-job related queries could even prove counter-productive. Instead of asking these types of inquiries, focus on probing into candidate experiences and skillset using the who-what-when-where framework – this will ensure your questions will have maximum effectiveness!