A more analytical question, this tests how they see operations and the market as a philosophy. The applicant has to show their intelligence and their knowledge of overall trends.

The end goal in these COO interview questions is to get a well-rounded picture into the thought process of the candidates. Asking different types of questions can peek into how they would react to the problems your company faces. If a particular applicant is attractive on the basis of operations knowledge, examine if they are culturally aligned to be sure that they will make a comfortable transition. If they have both the functional expertise and are culturally aligned with your organization mission, then chances are you’ve found yourself a finalist.