4 interview techniques CFOs use to hire top-performing employees

CFOs follow several common practices when interviewing potential new hires, but they also rely on a technique that is far more hands-on.

A recent study by Accountemps, a specialized temporary staffing company, reveals that 34% of chief financial officers will ask potential employees to take part in a “working interview.”

A working interview occurs when a CFO asks a potential job candidate to work for the company on a temporary basis.

The CFO is able to observe the candidate and gather more insights into how they work on their own and with others inside the organization.

Using observations from the temporary work, CFOs can determine if a potential employee will be a good fit with the company’s culture. This process also allows the candidate to determine on a paid-basis if they would enjoy working for the company.

Nearly one-third (30%) of CFOs also said they still like to ask open-ended interview questions.

Just over one-fourth (27%) of CFOs said they also check references to determine a potential fit for their work environment.

In 7% of instances, the potential hire may be asked to attend a group lunch or some other type of social activity.

More than 2,000 CFOs were asked, “In your opinion, which one of the following provides the greatest insight into a job candidate’s potential fit with the corporate culture?”

CFO interview techniques

“Applicants who mesh well with the organization’s employees and work environment assimilate faster and are more likely to stay longer term,” said Bill Driscoll, a district president of Accountemps.

“Bringing in professionals on a temporary basis while you evaluate them for full-time roles can prevent costly hiring mistakes,” he said. “Once candidates have performed on the job and interacted with the team and management, employers can make better-informed decisions as to whether they will make good permanent additions. Applicants can also get a better sense of whether the work environment is right for them.” .

This article is published in collaboration with Business Insider. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: James Kosur is the C-suite editor at Business Insider.

Image: A businessman walks on the esplanade of La Defense. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes.