An organization’s leader, like the CEO or executive director, has a lot to do with its future success and direction. So when an executive director quits suddenly, it is the board members’ job to act right away and find the next possible executive director for the organization.
Selecting a CEO is one of the most crucial decisions that a board undertakes. This kind of process changes how employees, investors, and other important people in the company interact with each other and with the business. Choosing a new leader can be hard for everyone in charge, especially if the person being considered is not from within the company.
Don’t let your company fall apart in front of your eyes. Here are some basic director interview questions that will help you figure out if the candidates are really ready to be executive directors.
Interviews usually begin with recruiters going through the candidate’s resume and experiences. In order to get a better glimpse of knowledgeable they really are, follow-up with these questions:
Executive directors are the ones expected to make bold moves and decisions for the company. Even though most candidates may look good on paper, it is very important that you also meet them and judge their character and personality. At this point in the interview process, it’s important to figure out if the candidates are what you need in an executive director and if they are what you want.
The people you want to hire know how to use their strengths, but they are also humble enough to admit their weaknesses and limits. More importantly, look for leaders who see failure and adversity as opportunities to improve the organization.
Once you know about the candidate’s background and why they want to work for the company, the next part of the interview should focus on how they feel about the company and what they think would make it successful.
Pay close attention to the candidates who are both knowledgeable about the job and invested in the company, as shown by their answers. These candidates are likely to become more perceptive leaders. More often than not, they know about new ideas and trends that could help the business grow.
It is important to find someone with a solid plan and strategy, not just a big picture and ideas. Executive directors are expected to, well, execute. Knowledge, ideas, and visions will not be as valuable if they can’t be translated into deeds. In addition, the best candidate should think about who will be involved and whether the company needs to make any changes.
Once you know how strategically the candidate works, you should ask them questions that will help you figure out if they can run an organization.
The type of leadership style an executive director has sets the tone for the organization’s culture. Different candidates may have different personalities and ways of leading, but the most important thing is to find a possible executive director who is open and welcoming. You should look for someone who works well with others, loves helping others, and will put the needs of the organization and its people ahead of all else.
Convene is a rapidly growing company that is transforming how organizations utilize workspaces Known for their tech-enabled meeting venues and innovative workplace solutions, Convene has become the partner of choice for many Fortune 500 firms and high-growth startups.
With a culture focused on hospitality, design thinking and leveraging technology to drive experience, working at Convene offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a pioneering team However, the interview process can be intensive with multiple rounds of interviews.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide insights into Convene’s interview process along with the top interview questions you can expect. Read on to learn how you can master your upcoming Convene interview and land your dream job.
Overview of Convene’s Interview Process
The interview process at Convene typically involves:
- Initial phone or video screening with an HR representative
- Take-home skills test or assignment (for some roles)
- 2-3 rounds of video or in-person interviews with hiring manager and team members
- Reference and background checks for final candidates
The interviews are structured around behavioral and situational questions to assess both your hard and soft skills relevant to the role. Some key competencies evaluated include analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, flexibility and hospitality mindset.
The process can be lengthy with multiple touchpoints, so preparation and patience are key. Demonstrating your alignment with Convene’s values of thoughtful design, gracious hospitality and people-first focus is crucial to advancing through the stages.
Top 10 Convene Interview Questions and Answers
Let’s look at some of the most common Convene interview questions along with tips to help you craft winning answers:
1. Why do you want to work at Convene?
This is a common opening question where interviewers want to gauge your interest in the company and role.
Tips to ace it:
- Research Convene’s mission, values, culture and recent projects
- Express your passion for hospitality, design thinking and creating inspiring workspaces
- Share how your skills and experience align with the role and company goals
- Convey enthusiasm for being part of an innovative team
Sample Answer: I’m excited by Convene’s vision to transform the future of workspaces through human-centric design and technology. Having worked in the hospitality industry, your focus on delivering premium experiences resonates deeply with me. I’m inspired by projects like your partnership with State Street to reimagine their workplace. I feel my background in service design and your values of thoughtful hospitality make it a great mutual fit. This role offers an opportunity to blend my passions for design and elevating customer experiences while being part of a truly pioneering company.
2. What experience do you have in the commercial real estate or hospitality industries?
Convene operates at the intersection of commercial real estate and hospitality, so expect interviewers to probe your exposure to these domains.
Tips to ace it:
- Highlight work experience or internships in relevant businesses or roles
- Discuss academic projects or coursework involving the industry
- Share any hospitality experience even if not full-time (eg. customer-facing summer jobs)
- Emphasize transferable skills from your background
Sample Answer: While most of my professional experience has been in the tech start-up space, I do have significant exposure to hospitality through my summer jobs and extracurriculars. For two summers during college, I worked as a server at a busy downtown restaurant which gave me hands-on experience in high-touch customer service, communications and managing complex demands. I also led the hospitality committee of my university’s business club where we organized conferences and networking events. Although not direct commercial real estate experience, I believe these opportunities allowed me to develop the hospitality mindset and service orientation needed to excel at Convene.
3. How would you handle an angry or dissatisfied client?
Expect scenario-based questions testing your problem-solving and customer service skills.
Tips to ace it:
- Outline a structured approach focused on listening, empathy and solution-focused thinking
- Discuss strategies like uncovering root cause, offering alternatives, and managing expectations
- Share an example demonstrating your ability to calmly resolve a difficult client situation
Sample Answer: If faced with an angry or dissatisfied client, I would first listen carefully to understand their concerns while letting them vent their frustrations. I’ve found it important not to get defensive but rather to emphasize until the client feels heard. Next, I would apologize for their experience and offer solutions to make it right. This could involve investigating what went wrong, offering them alternatives if possible, or providing concessions like discounts on future bookings.
Ultimately, the goal is to not only address their immediate complaint but also rebuild trust in the long-term relationship. I would follow up after resolution to proactively check if they need anything else. One example where I successfully turned around an irate client was when I was managing catering for a large wedding. The groom’s cake arrived damaged but by quickly coordinating with our baker to rush a replacement…
4. How would you promote teamwork in your department?
Convene emphasizes collaboration so expect questions testing your team management abilities.
Tips to ace it:
- Share tactics you’ve used to build engagement among team members
- Discuss setting clear goals and creating transparency around individual contributions
- Give examples of team-building initiatives or cross-training to break down silos
- Highlight your open and inclusive management style
Sample Answer: I’m a firm believer that teamwork is built on the foundation of open communication, clear expectations and mutual respect. To promote collaboration, I start by ensuring everyone understands our shared goals and how their role ladders up to it. For instance, I maintain a team dashboard with our key objectives and project status visible to all.
I also create opportunities for team bonding and cross-functional learning. Recently, I organized a “Lunch & Learn” series where we did short hands-on workshops to cross-train employees in various hospitality skills like mixology or latte art. Such initiatives foster creativity beyond day-to-day tasks.
Most importantly, I nurture an inclusive environment where every team member feels empowered to share ideas and concerns. My door is always open. I found that consistently gathering input and feedback enables proactive identification of friction points so they can be addressed promptly.
5. How do you keep yourself updated on the latest trends in workplace design?
With a portfolio of Fortune 500 clients, delivering innovative and on-trend solutions is crucial for Convene. Interviewers want to assess your commitment to continuous learning.
Tips to ace it:
- Demonstrate proactive learning through reading industry publications, events, networking groups etc.
- Share examples of how you’ve applied emerging workplace design ideas
- Discuss how you stay on pulse of client needs and apply insights
- Convey eagerness to continuously evolve Convene’s product offerings
Sample Answer: I make it a priority to stay updated on the latest workplace design and hospitality trends through diverse sources. I read industry publications like Work Design Magazine cover to cover to spot emerging concepts. I also attend seminars and webinars by thought leaders like the International Interior Design Association to get insights from experts.
Networking with peers allows me to exchange ideas and see innovations in action, like visiting new unique office spaces. I’m also active on forums like WorkplaceTrends to discuss and debate new approaches. At my previous company, I spearheaded adoption of new design elements like collaboration pods and multi-use communal spaces based on the open office trend. Staying ahead of the curve is key to creating inspiring spaces that meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce.
6. Tell us about a time you successfully led a complex or high-pressure project with a tight deadline.
Expect behavioral questions to assess your project management and problem-solving abilities under pressure.
Tips to ace it:
- Outline the structured approach you took including planning, stakeholder communication etc.
- Emphasize work prioritization, time management and flexibility when issues arose
- Share examples demonstrating calmness under pressure and ability to mobilize resources
- Highlight positive outcomes like timely delivery, budget met, client satisfaction
Sample Answer: One complex project I led involved managing a complete redesign of the lobby lounge for a large hotel chain’s downtown location on an extremely tight 3 week timeline. To deliver successfully, I immediately created a detailed project plan mapping out milestones, dependencies and contingency buffers.
My priorities were getting the necessary approvals expedited, securing contractor resources and maintaining constant client communication for prompt decisions. When permit delays threatened our timelines, I renegotiated contractor schedules and got decorative elements fast-tracked to minimize impact.
Despite many roadblocks, we completed the project in just under 3 weeks to the absolute delight of the client. Driving this success was my ability to plan proactively while staying agile so we could quickly adapt to challenges. The key was keeping the team motivated and focused on the end goal through high-pressure situations.
7. How do you prioritize between urgent requests and important long-term projects?
Time management and prioritization are key skills sought by Convene.
Tips to ace it:
- Share your approach using techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix or similar tools
Critical Choice of Director
Picking an executive director is a very important job. The person chosen should be able to lead the organization to success while also meeting the needs of the board, management, and all the other people who have a stake in the business.
Also, the hiring process can be tricky because the outcome will determine the future of your business. Because of this, keep in mind as you read these director interview questions that you should find people who you think can take your company to new heights.
The next set of director interview questions will help you figure out if the candidates will fit in with the company’s work style. The following questions are meant to help you learn more about your candidate’s thoughts on technology, their plans for following rules and regulations, and their idea of good corporate governance.
Organizational Culture & Structure
Many recruiters today think that how well a potential employee will fit into the company’s culture is the most important thing. So, even if a candidate checks all the right boxes, recruiters should still ask questions like these in a director interview to see how well they fit the job and how they act:
- Is there anything you’d like to change about the way the company works?
- How would you rate your best employees? What do you plan to do to keep your best employees?
- What is the organizational structure of your company like? How would you run the business if you were in charge?
Hire for the organization, and not just for the job. Hiring people who don’t fit in with the current or desired company culture can lead to bad work, less job satisfaction, and an environment that could be harmful. Cultural fit is already an important thing to think about when hiring someone new, but it’s even more important when hiring an executive director.
As you look through the applicants, look for people who have a growth mindset and who can help employees advance in their careers. Find people who really care about what the company stands for and want to make a positive difference in the organization.
Because technology has changed so quickly, it would be very helpful for any business to have a CEO who understands the chances that come with it. To assess this, it would be good to ask:
- How would you bring greater innovation to the company?
- What metrics would you use to keep track of the company’s operations and technology investments?
- Name a company that has changed the way it does business to adapt to new technology. Do you think the shift was effective?.
If a candidate doesn’t understand the importance and role of technology in today’s world, that should be a red flag for you. You need someone who can learn quickly, adapt well, and be open to change in this fast-paced and always-changing digital world. A candidate can stand out from the others if they know about the newest tech trends and can see how these new technologies can be used to make the company better.
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What is the interview process like at convene?
Process was seamless and easy.The in person interview is very straightforward.They only require a background check and no drug test. They are very effective in the process and set their expectations very high. I applied online. I interviewed at Convene (Chicago, IL) Very communicative with good time frame for interviews.
What’s it like working at convene?
I interviewed at Convene (Chicago, IL) Very communicative with good time frame for interviews. And they were very transparent about pay and offered benefits throughout the interview process. I did about 2 interviews, a virtual one and one in one of the downtown Chicago locations.
How long did it take to get a job at convene?
The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Convene (New York, NY) in Oct 2022 Started with a phone screening and then moved onto the first round of the interview, which was scheduled for in-person. I spoke with two hiring managers regarding this role. Overall, the interview was good but they ended up going internal for this role.
How do you answer a job interview question?
The best answer, Jennifer explains, focuses on your specific qualifications. “Describe the skills, tasks and even work environment that you enjoy and make the connection to the role that you are interviewing for by highlighting how this role would allow you to focus on that kind of work.” Example answer: 1.
