International Business Executive

By asking this question, your future employer is looking for evidence that the job suits you and involves doing things you enjoy. On the other hand, it gives him or her a chance to test your knowledge about the industry as well as the whole organisation. Make sure you have a good understanding of the role and the place you're going to take in the company. Prove to them that your job goes in line with your character and passion.

I ask this because the answers are very telling. First, I can see if they consider all of their successes to be professional or if life experiences factor in. It's also interesting to see what a person considers an accomplishment - is it a time when they set a big goal and reached it? Is it when they can contribute to a team? When they've made a certain amount of money?

The interviewer is trying to determine your goal orientation, work ethic, personal commitment and integrity. Prepare a good example where you overcame difficulties and succeeded. Prove that you're not a quitter.

Today's business executive needs to be tapped into something greater than just the four-walls of their office. Social connectivity and involvement with community causes is a key indicator of a candidate who is passionate about their role and wants to be a bigger influencer.

When hiring someone for a leadership role, I always ask them to start with their graduation from college and explain the rationale behind each of their career moves. Their answer to this question helps me determine if they are a strategic thinker who executes effectively on well-planned goals.

If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me." If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."

This question quickly separates individuals who are committed and passionate to our vision from those who are simply looking for a job. We find that our best hires have thoroughly researched us, determined the general and specific impact(s) they could have on the organization, and expressed this to us confidently in their first interview.

Any executive candidate worth his salt will be in touch with the changes in the industry and any upcoming legislation that could change things. This demonstrates passion for the field and a commitment to staying ahead of the curve - two traits that make great leaders.

As a firm specializing in CEO branding we focus highly as you can imagine on having "branded hires." Think about your company culture and the brand you are conveying; then ask questions that tell you whether or not the employee is aligned with your brand and culture. There are plenty of talented people out there, however; the key to success is finding the best fits.

Candidates at the executive level must be able to perform their jobs with the highest regard to ethical behavior at all times. Sometimes, this means being a whistle-blower. Look for a candidate who holds to high standards and shows a knack for handling a scenario like this with tactfulness and respect for the company.

As a purpose-based executive search firm, we interview people for executive roles every day. Y Scouts tries to understand the interviewee's purpose during the first phase of the executive interview. The majority of the questions we ask can be traced back to the simple question, "Why do you work?" Their reasons must align closely with a company's purpose if they're going to be leading the company.

I find this question helps me understand what motivates a potential hire and sheds light as to whether she would be a good fit. I am a big believer in 'fit' and this question goes a long way. People draw motivation from different sources, and understanding that from the outset is very helpful in building a successful relationship.

I generally like to question his or her communication skills. If someone's going to join my organization immediately in a senior role, they have to know how to effectively communicate with myself, their colleagues, and direct reports. This is a must if they're joining my company as an executive.

What we do every day and what we try to accomplish for our customers is unique to other accounting companies out there. We are trying to change the value proposition of accounting for businesses in general -- so it is important for us to know our team is in the same boat. Besides being technically capable for their positions, we want to know that every team member sees the same vision we see.

Conflict resolution is a valuable skill. With downsizing, mergers, and problems in corporate management, this could be your winning ticket. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes to know what interpersonal issues are current stumbling blocks at the company. Then come up with an experience of your own that parallels the company's.

In a startup, it's important to connect with people beyond their skills, and understand their drivers. We ask what inspires them in life -- a person, quote, book or mission. If they haven't thought about this, they lack a sense of depth we require in our employees to get behind our company mission. I also like to know their hobbies to truly get to know them as people, not just employees.

A good friend of mine informed me of a brilliant question that is asked from the top heads at Google during the hiring process. The candidate is asked some iteration of, "teach me something I don't already know." The candidate then has to quickly think of something unique on the spot to teach that will effectively portray their intellect and personality.

Where to from here? Entrepreneurs are constantly a growing community, always looking for bigger and brighter days. Some are success-driven, others are money-driven and, for most, it's a little of everything. Understanding their vision will help determine where they will take the company a year from now to get themselves to where they want to be (similar to a dream within a dream).

It helps me identify the journey and their sense of the situation from the get go. Most people who are trying to impress you will be more than happy to give you a syllabus of their credentials as to why. But the gems are usually the ones that answer with something simple and impactful like, "Let me show you why…"

If you are hiring at the executive level, no matter the function, you need people you feel can represent the business as well as you do. Have them pitch the company to you as if you are in a sales meeting, and you'll get a sense as to whether you'll feel comfortable with them in an outside-facing role.