Topics for informal meet & greet with future direct report

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Anonymous

11/15/20 at 1:16AM UTC

Career

Topics for informal meet & greet with future direct report

Completed all formal interviews for an opportunity. Now they'd like me to have an informal meet & greet with the person I would be managing. I love the idea of this and I already manage in my current role. Looking for other perspectives on how to approach this informal meet & greet...take the lead? Treat it like a 1:1? Ask what her professional goals are? How she's managed WFH during COVID? Her experience in the company/on the team? Her communication style/how she likes to receive feedback?

10 Comments

Anonymous

11/15/20 at 1:27AM UTC

All of the above in a conversational tone. Depends on the time allowed and if you can have coffee or something and relax a bit. Good start to a working relationship. She may have about the same questions for you.

carol freysinger

nonprofit leader

11/15/20 at 1:40AM UTC

I would start out by asking, "tell me about where you're from, where you grew up." Start by getting to know the person a bit. Then segue to the work-related topics. Good luck!

Melinda Barrow

Results-Driven HR Director

11/15/20 at 1:43AM UTC

In my experience as a recruiter, the reason we used informal meet and greets was to get to know someone better as a person and see if their personality clicks with yours and with the company culture. We also call this “the airport test”, as in, “if I were stuck in an airport with this person waiting for a flight, would I enjoy myself or have a terrible time?” You can definitely asking about career goals and things like that, but also treat this as a time to get to know the candidate and see if you’d enjoy working with them.

1 Reply

Anonymous

11/15/20 at 1:45AM UTC

I'm the candidate, she's been with the company for a couple years. I'd come in as her manager. I've also already completed all formal interviews for the position.

1 Reply

Melinda Barrow

Results-Driven HR Director

11/15/20 at 3:11AM UTC

Got it! Yes, I think this is your airport test. I had a similar situation when I interviewed for one of my last positions. They are trying to see if you fit well with the culture of the team and company. Just be yourself. Think of it like a coffee date. You already have a leg up because you’ve met the manager before and can probably come up with some items that intrigued you from your previous interviews that you can use as conversation starters.

Anonymous

11/15/20 at 4:20AM UTC

Airport test invites all sorts of bias. I’d strongly discourage using that (plus “fit”) as a hiring criterion.

1 Reply

Ann Braun

109

11/15/20 at 3:24PM UTC

I'm curious as to how getting to know someone invites bias?

Alexis Gladstone

596

Leadership, Sales and Change Expert

11/15/20 at 1:47PM UTC

To me this is a time to show your authentic self. As others have suggested, use it as both a time to get know her personally as well as a bit about them career-wise. I wouldn't miss the opportunity to let her know you want to answer any questions she has about you!

Sarah Mudd

130

11/15/20 at 2:07PM UTC

I agree with what others said above. Use this as a time to get to now her and build a positive relationship. If this is still part of your interview process, you want her to walk away feeling like you would be a helpful, supportive, and encouraging manager. So focus on getting to know her, what she's looking for from someone in the position, and what expertise she has to offer.

Anonymous

11/18/20 at 4:26PM UTC

The key word is informal. 1:1's are usually aligned to a formal check in with your manager or subordinate and is work related. Get to know your direct report in a informal manner. Naturally the conversation will gravitate towards work, maybe asking about general questions like work style, what they like or would like to change. I recommend chatting at a more personal level.