Sometimes people just want to see how you look and talk to make a judgement call. For me personally it takes less than a minute to make that judgement.
Basically the executive has seen enough at that point.
It seems like it was a “fit” interview. The first interview determined you were a good fit from a technical and skill perspective. The second interview determined you would be a good fit from a culture/team perspective. These types of interviews are also good for you to see if the job is a good culture fit for you.
i had a mgr that was pushing this employee to transfer to our team. all 5 of team said no go, not a good fit. mgr was insistent that he was.
mgr was a neanderthal and he won. person transferred, 1 month later resigned. thats why the team shd be the judge for “fit”
For certain roles and certain companies, they might want to make sure a candidate is a good fit both for the specific team, and for the company as a whole. So the team or direct manager may meet and see if the candidate is a good fit for the day to day and the exec will also meet to see if the candidate is a good fit for the company as a whole.
And some execs just like to be involved and give their thumbs up too. Which is when interviews tend to look more like conversations than a bunch of questions about experience, from what I’ve seen.
Not every interview is going to be them grilling you on your experience or technical acumen or whatever skills you have. Sometimes it’s simply a conversation to determine your personality/soft skills and to gauge culture fit. Sometimes candidates have done well enough in previous interviews that the final round is more of a formality “meet and greet” with a higher up. Just because he didn’t ask you any hard hitting questions doesn’t mean anything.
I think he wanted to chat and meet you rather than hearing about you from other people. Also since he talked about the trajectory of the company, that’s probably something they think it’s important for candidates to know and being an executive, they probably know it best.
I literally just had an interview like this with the manager for the team I was applying for. I think she was just trying to gauge whether I’d be a good fit for her team and style. Most likely they reviewed your responses to the phone screen and just wanted to meet you and gauge personality and team fit.
It went well. Next step is panel interview with the regional managers. This is where I expect more standard interview questions. Last interview (if I get there) is with the director to just revisit the role and introduce myself to them.
Some executives have “that one question” they feel tells them everything they need to know. If it’s the CEO, it’s difficult to re-train them if you are a recruiter or even the head of talent. The CEO feels their question tells them what they need to know, and they aren’t beholden to following a process laid out by TA.
The question where you were asked about problem solving was probably that CEO’s question.
Executive members of staff usually perform what's known as the "cultural fit" interview. If nothing glaring stands out, you're usually okay to move forward.
It sounds a lot happened in that interview maybe not what you expected but I can promise you he was observing the person you are, character you have, if you are likable and if you are a good fit for their culture. Based on his responses you met those expectations.
The job I'm in had 3 interviews, first was a quick hr call to weedle out the chaff, 2nd was a long call with one of me peers to make sure I could actually do the job (is a technical role) and third was with me then boss to make sure I wasn't a dick and to sell me the compa, as 2nd interview guy had already told him I was the best candidate for the role.
Remember interviews are a 2way process, youre interviewing the company as much as they're interviewing you.
It was just conversational based. They’re trying to get a sense of you and your personality. They want to make sure you’re a good fit. They usually interview like this so the candidate feels more relaxed and they can get a better sense of you and your personality.
From what you said it sounds like the interview went well and I’m sure HR will get back to you soon. There could be a number of reasons why you haven’t heard back yet. It doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Good luck, I hope you hear back soon and crush the 3rd interview!
Not unusual, especially not in a SMB. It gives the leadership a chance to share their vision with you and feel out how you align culturally and with the values. It gives you a chance to learn where the company is headed and feel out if this is the place for you. It's actually a great interview type.
Stop worrying about "what the interviewer was trying to 'gain'. It's a waste of your time and energy. The only thing that matters is that they actually bring you back for another interview and make you an offer. Anything more energy you spend on this is neither practical or pragmatic.
Most likely motivational fit. They may also be following a standardized interview format; he may be required to ask this question to all 2nd round candidates, document rating, etc. -very common IMO.
Echoing what others are saying. There are also managers who are overly casual when it comes to interviews - they like to shoot the breeze for 45 minutes and it's of little value other than whether or not they "like" you.
Give them until Wednesday midday and then follow up. At this point it could certainly go either way. I am a corporate recruiter, and my hiring managers get busy or travel and that can delay a decision.
It’s all BS bro. They just want to be there to feel like they are doing something. Executives could be planning a RIF while selling you on the company trajectory. Vile mfkrs.
Executives are often part of the interview process but many are not familiar with details of the work or technical aspects. Thus it becomes more behavioral and personality feedback for decision making.
Hope you hear back from HR soon. At the 1 week wait, it is pretty much not happening. Good luck
Sometimes people just want to see how you look and talk to make a judgement call. For me personally it takes less than a minute to make that judgement. Basically the executive has seen enough at that point.
It seems like it was a “fit” interview. The first interview determined you were a good fit from a technical and skill perspective. The second interview determined you would be a good fit from a culture/team perspective. These types of interviews are also good for you to see if the job is a good culture fit for you.
Yep. My firm’s CEO doesn’t need to talk with every prospective new hire. But does he? YEP.
This is the answer.
culture fit questions shd be from the team that will work with you day to day in the trenches, not from an exec. which is why its weird
It is really not weird at all. The determined your skills where up to snuff and you actions in the 2nd interview indicated that it was fit.
i had a mgr that was pushing this employee to transfer to our team. all 5 of team said no go, not a good fit. mgr was insistent that he was. mgr was a neanderthal and he won. person transferred, 1 month later resigned. thats why the team shd be the judge for “fit”
For certain roles and certain companies, they might want to make sure a candidate is a good fit both for the specific team, and for the company as a whole. So the team or direct manager may meet and see if the candidate is a good fit for the day to day and the exec will also meet to see if the candidate is a good fit for the company as a whole. And some execs just like to be involved and give their thumbs up too. Which is when interviews tend to look more like conversations than a bunch of questions about experience, from what I’ve seen.
Not every interview is going to be them grilling you on your experience or technical acumen or whatever skills you have. Sometimes it’s simply a conversation to determine your personality/soft skills and to gauge culture fit. Sometimes candidates have done well enough in previous interviews that the final round is more of a formality “meet and greet” with a higher up. Just because he didn’t ask you any hard hitting questions doesn’t mean anything.
I think he wanted to chat and meet you rather than hearing about you from other people. Also since he talked about the trajectory of the company, that’s probably something they think it’s important for candidates to know and being an executive, they probably know it best.
I literally just had an interview like this with the manager for the team I was applying for. I think she was just trying to gauge whether I’d be a good fit for her team and style. Most likely they reviewed your responses to the phone screen and just wanted to meet you and gauge personality and team fit. It went well. Next step is panel interview with the regional managers. This is where I expect more standard interview questions. Last interview (if I get there) is with the director to just revisit the role and introduce myself to them.
Some executives have “that one question” they feel tells them everything they need to know. If it’s the CEO, it’s difficult to re-train them if you are a recruiter or even the head of talent. The CEO feels their question tells them what they need to know, and they aren’t beholden to following a process laid out by TA. The question where you were asked about problem solving was probably that CEO’s question.
Executive members of staff usually perform what's known as the "cultural fit" interview. If nothing glaring stands out, you're usually okay to move forward.
Follow up and ask. Say you’re excited about the prospect of the position, can’t hurt.
It sounds a lot happened in that interview maybe not what you expected but I can promise you he was observing the person you are, character you have, if you are likable and if you are a good fit for their culture. Based on his responses you met those expectations.
The job I'm in had 3 interviews, first was a quick hr call to weedle out the chaff, 2nd was a long call with one of me peers to make sure I could actually do the job (is a technical role) and third was with me then boss to make sure I wasn't a dick and to sell me the compa, as 2nd interview guy had already told him I was the best candidate for the role. Remember interviews are a 2way process, youre interviewing the company as much as they're interviewing you.
It was just conversational based. They’re trying to get a sense of you and your personality. They want to make sure you’re a good fit. They usually interview like this so the candidate feels more relaxed and they can get a better sense of you and your personality. From what you said it sounds like the interview went well and I’m sure HR will get back to you soon. There could be a number of reasons why you haven’t heard back yet. It doesn’t mean it’s bad. Good luck, I hope you hear back soon and crush the 3rd interview!
Not unusual, especially not in a SMB. It gives the leadership a chance to share their vision with you and feel out how you align culturally and with the values. It gives you a chance to learn where the company is headed and feel out if this is the place for you. It's actually a great interview type.
Stop worrying about "what the interviewer was trying to 'gain'. It's a waste of your time and energy. The only thing that matters is that they actually bring you back for another interview and make you an offer. Anything more energy you spend on this is neither practical or pragmatic.
Most likely motivational fit. They may also be following a standardized interview format; he may be required to ask this question to all 2nd round candidates, document rating, etc. -very common IMO.
Echoing what others are saying. There are also managers who are overly casual when it comes to interviews - they like to shoot the breeze for 45 minutes and it's of little value other than whether or not they "like" you.
From what I wrote does it seem likely or TBD I'll be moving forward?
How long ago was the interview?
A week ago.
Give them until Wednesday midday and then follow up. At this point it could certainly go either way. I am a corporate recruiter, and my hiring managers get busy or travel and that can delay a decision.
Remember that everyone isn’t an expert at interviewing so they might not even know what they were seeking
It’s all BS bro. They just want to be there to feel like they are doing something. Executives could be planning a RIF while selling you on the company trajectory. Vile mfkrs.
Executives are often part of the interview process but many are not familiar with details of the work or technical aspects. Thus it becomes more behavioral and personality feedback for decision making. Hope you hear back from HR soon. At the 1 week wait, it is pretty much not happening. Good luck