This is to the Point

Found this at the bottom of a job posting for a very high level VP position. These guys are not playing around.

We only hire the world class employees. If you have the intellect, experience, talent, and passion to deliver world class results, then we look forward to meeting you. Otherwise, please apply for a position with our competitor. Thanks.

This may sound very crude to some. Not to me! I wish I could put this kind of “warning” in the job adverts my company posts to all the job sites.

The Solution to All Problems

Management Interviews

It’s time to interview candidates at my place of business for a management position we have open. This person will manage 15-20 people. Finding exactly who I want is difficult to say the least. Here are some of the questions I ask.

Define productivity.

How is productivity measured in a call center?

How confident are you that you can successfully perform the duties of this position and why?

Tell me about a situation that would show the confidence your coworkers have in you.

Tell us about a pressure situation you were in that would demonstrate your ability to work under pressure.

What are some constructive methods of dealing with stress?

Briefly describe the most significant responsibility you have had in your career and what it taught you?

What additional training will we have to provide for you if we hire you?

Describe a typical day at your present position.

Why do you want to leave your current job?

What decisions are easiest for you to make and which ones are the most difficult? Why?

What items of information do you typically need before you make a decision?

Tell me about the worst decision that you’ve made on the job.

What is the purpose of a performance appraisal?

An employee approaches you with a sexual harassment-related problem. In your discussion with the employee, what items of information will be of the most importance?

What qualities make for a good boss?

Vacations during the holidays are popular among employees. Describe the actions a supervisor can take to insure that service levels are unaffected during these times.

What are some of the signs that you’re staff may be suffering from burnout?

What is your greatest weakness?

Define leadership?

What personal qualities should a leader have?

Provide us with an example of your leadership ability.

Relate to me a confrontation that you’ve had with your supervisor. Who was wrong and why?

Tell me about a successful team of which you were a member. What was the most outstanding characteristic of that team? What did you contribute?

In reality, I should not have to ask all of these… a good candidate will speak of some of these topics on their own without any prodding from me. Rarely does that happen. That’s why I have the long list of questions.

Priceless: Apple Passes Dell

Ten years after Michael Dell stated that Steve Jobs should just “shut down” Apple and give the money back to their stockholders, Apple’s value has now exceeded Dell’s.

Michael’s first problem: Leaving the company and giving the keys to Kevin Rollins. If you read that article, you will see that Rollins had the vision of Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder (no offense to two of the best musicians of all time).

Rollins was such a penny-pincher that while he was trying to save a buck on CD Rom drives or RAM, Apple and HP slid in the back door. Then when Michael comes back, they uncover financial scandals ala Enron, Worldcom, and others (though not as bad). It’s like building a castle with all your blood and sweat, only to let the cast of Fast Times at Ridgemont High rent the place for the weekend. What did he expect to happen?

“There’s no party for me here!” -Jeff Spicoli