Avoid this Rejection Reason by Asking Questions in Interviews: with SVP of Engineering, Maher Hanafi

In this episode, Isabel Rasmussen and Maher Hanafi discuss the intricacies of the interview process, focusing on the importance of candidate questions and the dynamics of bi-directional interviews. Maher shares insights from his extensive experience in engineering leadership, emphasizing the need for candidates to research their interviewers and the company culture. They explore how to handle sensitive topics like layoffs and the significance of maintaining a positive energy during interviews. The discussion also touches on the importance of aligning management philosophies and the flexibility required in startup hiring.

Host: Isabel Rasmussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
Guest: Maher Hanafi https://www.linkedin.com/in/maherhanafi/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Interview Dynamics
00:42 Understanding the Role of Candidates
02:37 The Importance of Candidate Questions
06:37 Leveraging AI in Interview Preparation
09:50 Memorable Candidate Interactions
11:52 Assessing Work Environment Fit
12:28 Asking Difficult Questions
15:48 Navigating Layoff Conversations
17:49 Handling Glassdoor Feedback
21:26 The Energy of Interviews
26:06 Communication Skills and Candidate Behavior
28:20 Red Flags in People Management Interviews
33:15 Aligning Management Philosophies
38:13 Hiring for Flexibility in Startups

Isabel is a Fractional Head of Technical Recruitment who works directly with engineering leaders to hire top talent — from Senior Software Engineers to Directors of Engineering. With over a decade of experience recruiting for high-growth startups, she brings a strategic, hands-on approach to scaling technical teams that thrive in fast-paced environments.

Isabel is also the host of Your Next Tech Startup, a weekly podcast where she interviews founders, engineering leaders, and software engineers about what it really takes to build and grow teams in the startup world.

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yournexttechstartup 📺
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