Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#1

Post by northisup » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:46 PM UTC

I’m interviewing right now at a lot of startups and am looking for better ways to ask “so, where is this thing headed?”

What do you always make sure to ask?

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#2

Post by suff » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:50 PM UTC

What is the startup's burn rate, and how much capital is left, or more generally 'how much more funding runway is left?'

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#3

Post by rewddit » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:54 PM UTC

What keeps you up at night?

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#4

Post by leothekim » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:55 PM UTC

Will you share slides from the last board meeting?

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#5

Post by misja » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:56 PM UTC

suff wrote: post #2

What is the startup's burn rate, and how much capital is left, or more generally 'how much more funding runway is left?'

Good question but I'm afraid that you will not always get an honest answer.

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#6

Post by notus » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:56 PM UTC

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#7

Post by intelliderp » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:58 PM UTC

What will be the first task I would be assigned to if I am hired?

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#8

Post by mpweiher » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 2:58 PM UTC

Oh...one fun one (not during the job interview, but during a town hall for new hires, QA sesssion).

New employee, thinking they're really clever: What would you do different if you had unlimited resources?

Steve Jobs: I do.

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#9

Post by throwaway45765 » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 3:01 PM UTC

Now that you’ve been acquired, how invested are you in the company’s future?

Re: Ask HN: Best questions for an engineer to ask a CEO during a job interview?

#10

Post by agrippanux » Wed, Mar 27, 2019, 3:02 PM UTC

Ask what is the current strike price and how many shares are outstanding.

Then do simple math on the equity part of your offer and figure out if spending the next few years of your life there is worth it. Feel free to run analysis on 2x, 10x, 100x, etc of the strike price.