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How would you respond to a resume submission where the CEO responds to your application and asks you questions that are clearly stated on your resume?
Sending the signal that he hasn't read your resume, but thought to reach out to you on LinkedIn to ask questions about your background. I'm conflicted. Sounds like a person I wouldn't want to work with.
Thoughts?
37 Comments
Amanda Sewell
Strategic Partnership Manager outside Philly
168
02/01/21 at 6:07PM UTC
I would answer the questions honestly. I had a friend who did this during interviews, which I thought was annoying. But they explained they did it to see if what they said matched what was on their resume, a way to make sure they in fact did what they said they did.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
02/01/21 at 6:18PM UTC
Honesty is always my path forward. It's annoying and a big turn off, when a CEO doesn't read your resume and asks obvious questions. If it's intentional just as your friend did in interviews, it signals that person will always start from a place of distrust. Another type of person I would not want to work with.
Companies and people in them, need to realize that the candidate is also assessing the company and the people in it. So I would rather go down the path of reading a person's resume and picking a few things they listed they accomplished. Ask them how they got from point A to Z. That process will enable me to clearly see if they are "padding" their accomplishments.
I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
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Lesa EdwardsTHE career expert for high achievers
777
02/01/21 at 6:30PM UTC
I wouldn't make any assumptions about the CEO or the company based just on this. I would, however, keep my eyes and ears open for any other disconcerting interactions.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
02/01/21 at 7:01PM UTC
Understandable. However, I'd rather be cautious than rationalize red flag behavior. I've done that in the past and don't want to fall into that again.
I appreciate your thoughts.
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Anonymous
02/01/21 at 7:15PM UTC
CEOs don't often have time to wade through a resume but have very specific things they are looking for. This particular CEO may want to focus in your answers to specific areas of expertise. He may have already interviewed or reached out to other candidates who didn't satisfy his expectations. I think its great you have a direct line to the top guy.
This is your chance to wow him. Good luck.
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Loubna Erraji, PhD, ACCGET UNSTUCK & UNLOCK YOUR DREAM CAREER.
64
02/01/21 at 7:16PM UTC
I would answer the questions in any case and consider this as an opportunity to initiate the discussion. This means the CEO is interested in your background and your skills and wants to make sure you will be a good fit for his/her company.
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Anonymous
02/01/21 at 7:34PM UTC
As someone who is a COO/Integrator professionally, consider that it might not be to make you repeat something as much as it might be to see how you construct your answers.
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Shinesa CambricCybersecurity & Identity Governance Architect
27
02/01/21 at 8:32PM UTC
As a hiring manager, I will occasionally ask people about items I’ve seen on their resume to see if they can speak to it. I’ve had many cases in the past when I didn’t do this and the candidate either did not have any of the background listed on their resume upon further questioning or they had someone craft their resume to the point it didn’t reflect reality. I never ask these questions in a negative or condescending tone. If someone is, that should be a red flag.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
02/01/21 at 8:39PM UTC
I don't think I was entirely clear. The CEO direct messaged me on LinkedIn. This was not asked in a conversation. That is why I am a bit turned off.
I'm employed and a hiring manager as well. Also, crunched for time. If these questions were in a discussion, I wouldn't see it as a red flag. In an impersonal DM or email, I see it as a red flag. Totally understand the benefit of doubt. I think it's a mutual thing. Shouldn't always be one way. That's my way of thinking. People need to learn that Employee Experience is a thing to focus on. Especially, when reaching out to high level execs (as it is in my case).
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Anonymous
02/02/21 at 1:12PM UTC
To be direct: you're doing exactly what you said you didn't like in a different reply - coming from a place of distrust. What I see, though, is that your reluctance to answer these questions and the excuses you're making ("I'm crunched for time.") means that the person you don't trust is YOURSELF.
The problem here is not that the CEO is asking questions that you feel are obvious. The problem is that you don't trust your own judgment and you're projecting that onto this CEO, saying that he's not the type of person you'd like to work with.
Stay in your current job and work on trusting your own judgment.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
02/02/21 at 1:35PM UTC
I would give him the courtesy of a response - if you really want the job, see what happens. You may find that there was a reason for him reaching out.
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Valerie Rieger
100
02/02/21 at 3:06PM UTC
In this virtual world I often view the LI dm as a conversation - not my preference but a conversation nonetheless. I wouldn't take it as a red flag, be mistrustful of the ask or assume EX issues. There was a reason that the CEO reached out to you. If I was interested in the position I would answer the questions.
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Anonymous
02/01/21 at 9:50PM UTC
Nice explanation and way of weeding out interested parties. I've never been in that position. I usually take interest to be genuine interest. Maybe I should be more discerning.
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Milisa
12
02/02/21 at 1:16PM UTC
I would definitely just answer the questions honestly meh may just want to have a touch point with you outside of the resume.
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Anonymous
02/02/21 at 2:12PM UTC
I think the OP's expectations are that people who are interested in hiring her ask questions in a straightforward way and not as "tests." And that is unfortunately an unrealistic expectation--unfortunate both for her in this situation and for anyone looking for a job who has to try to give answers to what the interviewer is "really" asking without knowing what that is.
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Jean NeuhartFor A Day Your Heart Will Never Forget!
49
02/02/21 at 1:58PM UTC
Sure, it may be a sign that the CEO hasn't read your resume. But it may also be a sign that they want to make sure your verbal answer matches (and not just word-for-word like it was memorized), or that they want more to delve further and get more information about you than what was on the resume .
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Mary BrodieI help companies build customer relationships
135
02/02/21 at 2PM UTC
I agree - you don't want to work with him if he is asking questions about items clearly on your resume. You could answer, see what he does. But he already gave you a red flag. Keep that in mind and see if you get a second one. Good luck on your discussions.
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Elizabeth RagoneDirect to Consumer Leader
65
02/02/21 at 2:08PM UTC
I would answer cheerfully and directly. And not make assumptions. I would not characterize this as a red flag.
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Carli GarciaProfessional Dot Connector
172
02/02/21 at 2:13PM UTC
Has anyone else been casually DM'd by a CEO? Outside of a "laid back startup culture," how does one not raise an eyebrow?
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[email protected]
125
02/02/21 at 2:14PM UTC
Candidates need to understand that this is not the only thing that executives do. More than likely your resume was forwarded by someone in the company who felt like you could be a possible good contender and wanted to have the CEO talk to you. So answer the questions regardless if it is on your resume and be proud that you got this far.
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Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
2.1k
02/02/21 at 2:49PM UTC
This is a tool a lot of recruiters and hiring manages use to see if your answers match your resume. They want to hear what you have done and not read about it. I had an interview where I asked a similar question. The girl responded, "if you read my resume." I smiled and ended the interview.
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Anonymous
02/02/21 at 6:45PM UTC
Then why would not not just say, "I see your resume says X, can you tell me more about that?" It is not out of line for someone you're interviewing to think that you have read their resume and have reviewed it prior to the conversation. From that person's perspective it can come across that the interviewer has not done even the basic preparation of reviewing the materials that were submitted if you ask questions that are obvious from the resume, and that does not set you up as someone who is genuinely interested in hiring the person as opposed to getting through a rote list of interview questions. Interviewees and prospective employees are not mind readers who know what it is that you truly want to find out if you don't actually ask it.
1 Reply
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
2.1k
02/03/21 at 1:59AM UTC
If there are being interviewed, the recruiter did read their resume.
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Cynthia RadfordCoach for Difference-Makers. Nature Lover.
70
02/02/21 at 3:03PM UTC
I'd answer the questions authentically and keep an open mind, while listening to my intuition. A CEO may prefer to talk things through vs. reading every jot and tittle. And, as others say, it's also a way to square the paper you with the flesh-and-blood you (which is no doubt infinitely more impressive and engaging.) Good luck!
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EmpoweredGirl410467
16
02/02/21 at 3:03PM UTC
I would consider it a good thing the CEO is reaching out to you. You're the hiring manager, why do YOU ask questions that are already on a resume? Do YOU read and remember every single detail on someone's resume? Google says the average time a hiring manager spends on a resume is 6 seconds. It is pretty common practice that the entire resume is not read its usually just skimmed for key details. Maybe he read it several days or even weeks ago and set it aside and now finally has time to reach out to you. Maybe something jumped out at him, he liked SOMETHING, and now he wants to speak directly to the source. Perhaps you should look at his questions more as, "Can you elaborate or tell me more about that?"
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Whippoorwill FarmFierce IT Leader: HEAR ME ROAR!
169
02/02/21 at 3:16PM UTC
So, you caught the attention of the CEO. That means there is a genuine interest. Keep in mind, running a company means that not every resume' gets read in entirety. Also, the CEO could be testing you to see how much your CV matches to your experience, based upon how you answer.
Interviewing is a process. If you are being asked questions that may seem redundant or unnecessary, answer them honestly and always. Often times, people put experiences on their resume just to get "seen" or passed the ATS system. The CEO is likely challenging you to answer to make certain you aren't one of those folks.
Every interview is different and hiring teams respond and interact the way their company culture is. Consider researching this aspect of the company and applying it to how the interview went. If anything, you can always provide feedback to the recruiting team that connected you. Simple statements like, "It was an honor to be interviewed by the CEO. I wasn't certain he/she was familiar with my background as some of the questions seemed repetitive. Is this normal or a reflection on my resume' skills? Just asking because I am very interested in the role and wanted to make sure that the CEO didn't have any additional questions that remained unanswered."
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Anonymous
02/02/21 at 3:21PM UTC
Is it possible he saw your Linked In profile & didn’t realize you had formally applied for the position? It could be he was legitimately trying to find someone & noticed your profile. Quite possibly whoever received all the resumes didn’t pass yours along or it got sent into spam or the person thought it was attached when it wasn’t. If the CEO is reaching out, I’d talk with him. Ask if it would be helpful for you to email him a copy of your resume.
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Krisna PatelBusiness Exec in Atlanta
17
02/02/21 at 3:30PM UTC
I agree with others where it's just to cross-check that you are as stated on your resume. There are multiple cases where people fluff their resumes, so it's just a simple check that you are a match for the role.
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Clydene HorriganProcess improvement is my game
368
02/02/21 at 5:13PM UTC
Maybe the CEO would like you to elaborate mire on a particular area. With everyone trying to make their resume fit on just two pages, sometimes we have to leave out some details.I’d thank the CEO and, if the question is understood, add more details to my response than is on the resume. If the question is not fully understood, ask clarifying questions. Good luck!
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Jody RileyI am looking for something new in AP
46
02/02/21 at 5:36PM UTC
I would answer them. I think that this would their way of having more details on the item in question since you only a limited about space on your resume and now you can go in to more details.
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Liz Milne
50
02/02/21 at 6PM UTC
I would just answer - perhaps with a slightly sarcastic 'as my CV says' but probably not - because it might be that my CV is worded in such a way that it's not entirely clear what the duties were, who I answered to etc. Like, I think it's clear on the CV, but he is seeing that it can be read ambiguously, ie 'worked adjacent to the CEO' could mean being the CEO's right hand, but it could also mean that my office was next to his and I was far lower down on the hierarchy, etc.
1 Reply
Bonnie Padgett
11
02/03/21 at 1:47PM UTC
I’ve seen several recruiters that say people that noted “as my CV says“ ended the interview quickly. I wouldn’t take that tactic, personally. As one recruiter pointed out, you’re in the interview so they obviously did read your CV.
1 Reply
Anonymous
02/04/21 at 3AM UTC
Yeah. Something I used to do & I finally stopped... if multiple interviewers asked me the same question, I assumed they were an uncoordinated bunch. I would say "As I said to Jane when she asked the exact same question..." I didn't realize that they were going to compare what I said to see if I was consistent. Ha! Live and learn. I still don't like it, but I accept it. I also accept that people don't read my resume ahead of time. It's unfortunate, but people are busy. And sometimes people don't have good ideas about what to say when they reach out on Linkedin, so they just say "something."
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Cheryl Neas
102
02/02/21 at 6:48PM UTC
The clear lesson here from all the "maybe the CEO is..." or "He could be trying to..." is that if you are reaching out to someone who you don't already know for information, it is very helpful for you to be clear and straightforward about what you're asking and why. That goes for trying to connect with someone for networking, wanting to know more about a company, or being the CEO looking to hire someone.
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Titra HamiltonDirector at small business serving Federal Govt
58
02/02/21 at 8:13PM UTC
I would just answer. It's the CEO. At that level, he/she may not have had time to read your resume. I would be on the look out for other potential red flags, and make a decision based on the collective experience. Good luck.
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renee2
209
02/02/21 at 8:46PM UTC
This is not really that unusual. Company leaders sometimes just want to see if you will answer consistently, or he / she might be trying to get a handle on your communication style. There are a plethora of reasons why a CEO might do this. Try not to read too much into this situation. Just be honest, consistent, and bring as much clarity as you can to your answers.
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Abigail ChurchOrganizational Development Professional
94
02/06/21 at 12:44PM UTC
If you are really interested in the job, I recommend answering the questions. Several treason exist as to why the CEO is asking questions that could be answered by looking at your resume, some of which have nothing to do with not looking at your resume. If you receive an interview, be sure to ask questions that help you learn more about the company, it's culture, and how the CEO operates. This will help you decide if this is someone you want to work with without compromising your opportunity to move further in the process.
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