Ask HN: Types of questions to ask team members before accepting role?

Post by jonathansorum » Tue, Sep 04, 2018, 5:04 PM UTC

Spooky23 wrote: post #43

You never want to ask direct questions about the company that will be bullshitted away -- you're wasting everyone's time in a little ceremony where both parties say nothing. People will usually talk about how they feel, and if they don't, the way that they do not answer the question is useful as well. It's also good way to make a personal connection with people. Adapted from: "First, Break All the Rules". Gallup foun…

Post by saudioger » Tue, Sep 04, 2018, 5:14 PM UTC

christophilus wrote: post #49

Spooky23 wrote: post #43

You never want to ask direct questions about the company that will be bullshitted away -- you're wasting everyone's time in a little ceremony where both parties say nothing. People will usually talk about how they feel, and if they don't, the way that they do not answer the question is useful as well. It's also good way to make a personal connection with people. Adapted from: "First, Break All the Rules". Gallup foun…

That’s a great list. I also like to ask: - When did you last miss supper / a personal event because you were working late? - Think of the last person you know who left the company. Why did they leave? - When was your last vacation, and how long was it? These are essentially a way of asking, how’s the work life balance? In a way that avoids the BS answer, “great!”

Post by haloux » Tue, Sep 04, 2018, 5:22 PM UTC

christophilus wrote: post #49

Spooky23 wrote: post #43

You never want to ask direct questions about the company that will be bullshitted away -- you're wasting everyone's time in a little ceremony where both parties say nothing. People will usually talk about how they feel, and if they don't, the way that they do not answer the question is useful as well. It's also good way to make a personal connection with people. Adapted from: "First, Break All the Rules". Gallup foun…

That’s a great list. I also like to ask: - When did you last miss supper / a personal event because you were working late? - Think of the last person you know who left the company. Why did they leave? - When was your last vacation, and how long was it? These are essentially a way of asking, how’s the work life balance? In a way that avoids the BS answer, “great!”

Post by christophilus » Tue, Sep 04, 2018, 6:10 PM UTC

saudioger wrote: post #63

christophilus wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s a great list. I also like to ask: - When did you last miss supper / a personal event because you were working late? - Think of the last person you know who left the company. Why did they leave? - When was your last vacation, and how long was it? These are essentially a way of asking, how’s the work life balance? In a way that avoids the BS answer, “great!”

>Think of the last person you know who left the company. Why did they leave? I don't think you'll get an honest answer for this a lot of the time, often team members might not even directly know why someone was laid off >When was your last vacation, and how long was it? This is a bit tough too, it's very subjective. I personally like working, and while I encourage my employees to use all of their vacation time, I rar…

Post by user5994461 » Tue, Sep 04, 2018, 6:28 PM UTC