Here is a resource you can use to help cover your basics, and to create a standardized format that will help readability by other interviewers and make sure you don’t miss the big things.

Don’t forget to add key questions that may be unique to your role, company, domain space, industry, etc.

Most importantly - don’t forget to share your excitement (why your company and opportunity)! Every conversation should be one step towards closing that offer way down the line.

Note: we always include a summary at the top, this leaves a quick executive summary style lead in to your note which becomes easy to share, and also becomes a reminder to go back and fill this in!

//THE TEMPLATE//

• anything you like about this candidate ~ anything to be explored further or flagged for other interview(er)s/yourself

• anything negative or that is not liked about this candidate | | TL;DR: X/5, ACTION

~

• | | Action Items (next steps, waiting on resume, getting calendar availability, review from team, set up call, etc) | | | | First Screen Questions | | General (learn about their experience, key projects, key deliverables, key skillsets (technical and soft skills) • The “tell me about yourself section” • Walk me through your experience in broad strokes, the highlights, big-ticket items, the short story and summary | | | | Team/project/product details (what was the stage/maturity/size of the product/team/project when they joined, what was the composition and size of the team, key reports up (their boss)/down (their reports if any), how did they get requirements) • Pick something you want to learn about:Tell me about the specifics, what was the context of the challenge, what were you trying to achieve, how you did it, who you did it with, what was the outcome • Please also give me the context on the environment, the team, the constraints, etc | | | | Motivation (what is their current situation, why are they open to conversation, is there something they are looking to change or have different) • What is your current situation / why are you open to a new role? • Is there anything in particular you are looking to change or have different? | | | | Interests (what do they want in the next role; individual contributor versus management, importance of title, location requirements, career growth, specific skillsets/technology, industries, domains, particular challenges, cultural fit, compensation; how do they rank these interests) • What are you looking for in a new opportunity? What makes a perfect fit for you? • Understanding of interests and motivations is a key aspect in future interactions. • Help set them up with the right people to talk to, direct conversations around selling your company and opportunity in the best means possible | | | | Logistics (notice period, vacation plans, work authorization needs, compensation components [cash, equity, bonuses, etc], commute/remote, other interviews, timeline of interviewing and decision making) • Do you require any work authorization support to legally work in XXX? • Compensation wise - where do you need to be for something to make sense? • What is your timing right now? Do you have a certain notice period, is there a certain timing to start something new? • Where are you with other interviews? Anything getting close to finals? When are you planning to make a decision by? | | | | Additional Notes on the interview (not necessarily explicit questions) | | Communication (ability to be concise, how well they listen, how well they communicate, what type of stakeholder would they be good in front of [internal team only, customer facing, business facing, leadership oriented, etc) | | | | Personal (any mention about hobbies, family, friends, things that can be conversation points or cultural notes) | | | | Other notes (anything that doesn’t fit above) | | |