Ken Sundheim asked:
All entrepreneurial companies are referred to as “entrepreneurial” because they consistently have one focus in mind. That focus is growing their business. Now, to achieve this goal, these forward thinking companies have to hire individuals that think like entrepreneurs and that keep a strict focus on what matters. What matters is a consistent increase in the bottom line of the organization.
Without this type of thinking within the group of the company’s employees, the firm will seize to reach its full potential. Therefore, upon interviewing potential candidates for any open position, there are certain questions that these organizations should focus on. Below, you will find a list of these questions paired with some potential answers and / or explanations.
1. In what ways can you help us grow this business?
Upon being asked this question, the candidate should light up and become energized because the entrepreneurial thinking employee should be naturally relieved that they are interviewing with a firm that, despite a horrific economy, is looking towards growth.
The best answers to this question are upfront answers that clearly state what the candidate can bring to the table. If they truly think like a business owner, they will be able to answer the question like a business owner.
2. What would you do if you made a million dollars here?
The best answer to this question would be something of this sort, “I would keep going.” For an entrepreneurial firm, there is no start and there is no end. There is only survival via growth in the bottom line or face the complete opposite: death. There is no grey area with the growth or death question.
Therefore, the progressive firms should look for someone who doesn’t have a goal in mind. Instead, their thought of the obtainment of a million dollars would just be a feather in their cap.
3. Why would you want to manage somebody under you?
People who work best in entrepreneurial environments want to manage others because they are firmly aware that they have solid leadership abilities and want to put these traits to use. Essentially, the entrepreneurial employee will feel that they have a brand new car sitting in the garage waiting to be used.
3A. How would you go about hiring that person?
This is a very good situational interview question as the company can see whether or not the potential employee has problem solving skills that lead to financially sound resolutions. Posting an ad on a job board is not the answer the hiring entity should look for nor is it an answer they should they accept.
4. What would you do if a client was very unhappy…and they wouldn’t listen to you and the boss was out of the office?
This question is more geared towards younger, less experienced employees. However, all entrepreneurial companies are very customer focused and the answer to this question should be, “Do whatever is human possible.”
5. What are your persuasion techniques?
Persuasion, when many think of the word, immediately associate the noun with the word “manipulation.” As a matter of fact, you can’t persuade anybody to do anything unless you care about dealing with people and you feel that having them doing a particular action will somehow benefit them. Otherwise, they will see right through you.
Therefore, the entrepreneurial company will look for an answer from the job candidate that alludes to them having a firm grasp on the theory that intelligent people can be persuaded, but not manipulated. This question is one that not many can formulate a solid answer to, but when the progressive company finds a person that can formulate a good, persuasive answer, they’ve found their guy/ gal and should make an offer.
Kitchen Remodeling
All entrepreneurial companies are referred to as “entrepreneurial” because they consistently have one focus in mind. That focus is growing their business. Now, to achieve this goal, these forward thinking companies have to hire individuals that think like entrepreneurs and that keep a strict focus on what matters. What matters is a consistent increase in the bottom line of the organization.
Without this type of thinking within the group of the company’s employees, the firm will seize to reach its full potential. Therefore, upon interviewing potential candidates for any open position, there are certain questions that these organizations should focus on. Below, you will find a list of these questions paired with some potential answers and / or explanations.
1. In what ways can you help us grow this business?
Upon being asked this question, the candidate should light up and become energized because the entrepreneurial thinking employee should be naturally relieved that they are interviewing with a firm that, despite a horrific economy, is looking towards growth.
The best answers to this question are upfront answers that clearly state what the candidate can bring to the table. If they truly think like a business owner, they will be able to answer the question like a business owner.
2. What would you do if you made a million dollars here?
The best answer to this question would be something of this sort, “I would keep going.” For an entrepreneurial firm, there is no start and there is no end. There is only survival via growth in the bottom line or face the complete opposite: death. There is no grey area with the growth or death question.
Therefore, the progressive firms should look for someone who doesn’t have a goal in mind. Instead, their thought of the obtainment of a million dollars would just be a feather in their cap.
3. Why would you want to manage somebody under you?
People who work best in entrepreneurial environments want to manage others because they are firmly aware that they have solid leadership abilities and want to put these traits to use. Essentially, the entrepreneurial employee will feel that they have a brand new car sitting in the garage waiting to be used.
3A. How would you go about hiring that person?
This is a very good situational interview question as the company can see whether or not the potential employee has problem solving skills that lead to financially sound resolutions. Posting an ad on a job board is not the answer the hiring entity should look for nor is it an answer they should they accept.
4. What would you do if a client was very unhappy…and they wouldn’t listen to you and the boss was out of the office?
This question is more geared towards younger, less experienced employees. However, all entrepreneurial companies are very customer focused and the answer to this question should be, “Do whatever is human possible.”
5. What are your persuasion techniques?
Persuasion, when many think of the word, immediately associate the noun with the word “manipulation.” As a matter of fact, you can’t persuade anybody to do anything unless you care about dealing with people and you feel that having them doing a particular action will somehow benefit them. Otherwise, they will see right through you.
Therefore, the entrepreneurial company will look for an answer from the job candidate that alludes to them having a firm grasp on the theory that intelligent people can be persuaded, but not manipulated. This question is one that not many can formulate a solid answer to, but when the progressive company finds a person that can formulate a good, persuasive answer, they’ve found their guy/ gal and should make an offer.
Kitchen Remodeling
Tags: Entrepreneurial Firm, Explanations, Interview Questions
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