By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady
Next Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary may finalize the field for the upcoming presidential election. But would any of these candidates pass a CEO interview? And what would you ask? Let us know and we’ll publish your replies.
Our presidential selection system is a disaster—and a thing of beauty. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent. Some of the smartest people in the land work on these campaigns for years, win or lose.
Well, after months and months of campaigning, we’ve now ended up with three candidates. All are wonderful, talented, dedicated Americans but, in my opinion, not one of them would ever make the short list if HR were running the typical CEO recruitment initiative.
Why not?
–Senator Clinton is brainy and has thought seriously about national problems for decades. She’s been an effective senator. She’s participated in the inner councils at the highest levels.
–Senator Obama is another brainiac. His ability to simplify complex issues and communicate inspirationally is a trait that distinguishes great leaders. His experience as a community organizer gives him an in-the-trenches perspective unusual in a presidential aspirant.
–Senator McCain is a genuine war hero. His effective, decades-long service in the U.S. Senate distinguishes him. His maverick stances make it clear that he is not a prisoner of dogma.
But I ask you…
If HR were running an initiative to hire the CEO of one of the biggest organizations in the world, would you consider someone with almost no experience running a large organization? Someone who’s never run a division? Never had P&L responsibility? Not likely. If you compare their résumés to any likely list of “must-haves,” all come up short in many, many ways.
On the other hand . . .
The ordeal of a campaign proves whether a candidate can survive in the glare of the presidency and command the respect of the American people. There are things it doesn’t prove, but those things may be unprovable. Similarly, witness how many CEO recruitments turn out disastrous candidates, despite the most professional procedures. There are just a lot of unknowns in both processes.
Interestingly, President George W. Bush, our first “MBA president” and the former governor of a major state, would have made the list. But according to polls, most Americans view his presidency as, shall we say, less than great.
History may well vindicate President Bush, as it did President Harry S. Truman, who was similarly unpopular at the end of his tenure. But if so, it won’t have anything to do with his MBA. Success or failure has more to do with traits and perspective than skills.
Your Turn
My point in this column is not really about politics. It is about HR, as applied to the political campaign.
Imagine that this was a recruitment initiative, and you are serving on the CEO selection committee. You’ve reviewed résumés, thought through the requirements, and you are now preparing to interview the candidates.
What would you ask the candidates if you were interviewing them for the job of “CEO of the USA,” better known as President of the United States? Please e-mail me your questions at the address at the bottom of this column, and we will print the best of them.
The ground rules:
–No more than 3 questions per reader, please.
–Make them genuine questions you would ask a job candidate to get information, not “zingers” designed to advance any political point of view.
–Selected replies will be published. If you do not want attribution, please note. Otherwise we will include your name and home city.
–We won’t print questions that are really political arguments. We’re looking for HR professionalism!
E-mail me your questions at Rbrady@blr.com and we will share the responses.
Tell me about a time when your organizations financials were “in the red”. What did you do to turn the organization around and bring them “in the black”?
What processes did you put into place to insure the financial situation wasn’t repeated in the future?
Brandi Verheek
HR Representative
Little River Casino Resort
Manistee, Michigan
I would ask, “Of all the jobs you’ve had or voluntary positions you’ve held, which one most qualifies you to run the U.S.?” And, “What single leadership quality do you think your previous employees would cite most often as the reason you would make a good president?
Gloria K. Frazier
Broker/President
ERA American Realty of Northwest Florida, Inc.
Cite me examples of how your weaknesses (at least 3) are manifested and what you did to overcome them?
If this company is about to go under and we need to implement cost cutting measures, what would be your first cut?
What didn’t you like about your last job, your last boss?
Name withheld on request
Here are my questions for candidates of any position:
1. What experience and/or personal ability or training do you think you can bring to this position that is unique to you that will benefits the company (country)?
2. What makes you more qualified for this position that any other candidate considered (no negative remarks about other candidates)?
Pat Fidler
Vitra, Inc.
Human Resources
One of the most telling interview question that can be asked is “If I contacted your current boss today, what would she/he say about the quality of your work, the results of your decisions, the way you work with others and your ability to move the team forward?”
Let’s not leave it up to our candidates to answer that question. Let’s go right to the bosses. (In this case, the constituents.)
Let’s have the pollsters do a very thorough research project polling the constituents of each of these candidates and ask the constituents what they think about their Senator and what each has accomplished, and maybe even do a 360 review on each? Then we can set up an elaborate matrix and grade each one!
Past behavior is generally a fairly good indicator of future behavior.
Sherry Hribar, MSOD, CPBA, CPVA
HR Advantage
Who do you have in your network that would help you run the country/what are their strengths, experience, and how do their skills compliment or enhance you ability to run the country?
If your experts presented a program or plan directive and you disagreed based on a gut reaction, would you trust your instincts or follow the guidance of those appointed?
Describe an instance where you decision affected the livelihood of others? Either positively or unfavorably?
Kathleen E. Friel
Director of Human Resources & Administration
Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
It is my opinion that people our the most valuable asset of any corporation. Employees can turn your sails into the wind or they can capsize the entire ship. The following question is what I would like to ask all 3 candidates:
What do you see as the most valuable asset of a profitable/successful corporation? Can you give me examples from your past experience that supports your answer?
Sincerely,
Peggy R. Frick
Human Resources
CPM Century Extrusion
No matter what you do in this job, you will be criticized. Why do you want this job?
What do you expect to “get out of” this job that will keep you coming back day after day?
Cindy B. Rollins
Budget Manager
Oftentimes large organizations find themselves at important junctures where there has to be a decision to continue business as usual or to venture into another direction. There are always polarized groups internally who have strong opinions one way or another and will garner their influence to move the company in the direction they believe is correct. Please share with me a time where you worked with two disparate corporate “camps” and succeeded in bringing them together in consensus to work to a mutual goal. I would like to know what the steps you took were to accomplish this.
Janet Callahan
V.P. of Administration
The Lotter Group/eAgency, Inc.
Mr/Ms Candidate
In the recent past our profit/loss margin has taken a very large drop; we had a surplus for a short time but unguarded spending has cost us a great deal and we are now in financial crisis; this is affecting our employees, clients, and our shareholders with many demanding drastic changes; if you are chosen to be CEO, how would you change this? AND in answering please—Give 3 examples of a time when you managed a multi-billion dollar budget and kept losses to a minimum, created profit sharing for the employees, managed difficult employees that were over spending, and were able to secure cooperation from the various departments of the business to accomplish these goals.
Mr/Ms Candidate
The rising cost of healthcare has caused us to not be able to cover many of our employees; this is not acceptable to either them or to us; how will you propose to solve this problem and again give examples of previous successes you have had in facilitating group negotiations that resulted in positive outcomes; experience and knowledge in the healthcare system; how it works, how it can be modified or changed to cover all employees equally, and why your idea will work when others have not?
And the most basic question of all…
Why should we hire you? Give specific examples of successes you have achieved and special qualities and traits that make you the best choice for this position. These must be specific examples of proven successes, not ideas that you think will work, but real outcomes for real problems that show you can manage the budget, people, groups with differing opinions, and quickly resolve problems as they arise.
Loretta Perry
Job Readiness Specialist
Workforce Investment Board
This organization is facing crises on almost every front. The most important ones are war in the Middle East, housing crisis nationally, economic instability and probable recession, unsolved immigration challenges, lack of health care for all citizens and ongoing allegations of deception in administration of the organization (federal government). These are all major problems that threaten the health of the organization. We’re looking for a CEO who has the vision and capability of leading us to solutions that work. How would you prioritize these issues and what would be the first three steps you would take to address each of them?
Sharon Shaw Elrod
Mandarich Media Group, LLC
1) How have you demonstrated the ability to build cohesion and influence others who did not report directly to you? Describe a situation where you influenced others to achieve your desired result, what obstacles did you face, what actions did you take and what was the result?
2) This position will last from 4 to 8 years. How will you create a platform to support the changes you wish to make? Have you considered how you will create support for these changes after your role ends?
3) Describe a time when you were confronted with a new/unique situation for which you did not have all of the immediate answers. What steps did you take and what was the result?
Thank you,
Deborah Meyer, SPHR
Recruiter – Ohio
Okay – I love this idea!!
What is and I-9 form and how would you handle it?
What do you think the Founding Fathers of our Constitution would say has been our biggest failure and what will you do to correct that?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
There are so many great questions to ask just on a practical business sense but our country was founded by brilliant and visionary men. Our ancestors left Europe for a better life and we have regressed back to what they left behind. I would truly go in depth about the Boston tea Party and “taxation without representation” and how each feels about that statement and what “by the people for the people” means to them. I would also like to see a 1 year probationary period put into place. Now is the time for Ross Perot.
I also think skills testing should be mandatory (constitution, accounting, problem solving…) as well as random alcohol and drug testing.
Monica Stella
Payroll/HR/Benefits Administrator
1. In what business situations do you feel honesty would not be appropriate?
2. How have you added value to your organization over time?
3. If we hire you, what kinds of results do you expect to achieve and when can we expect to see concrete results?
Best Regards,
Lori S. Goldsmith, SPHR
HR & Client Relations Manager, Tomlin Tested Staffing
HR Florida State Certification Director
I believe that before determining any questions it’s important to look at the job description. Is the job of President of the United States truly akin to the job of being president or CEO of a company? I would ask the candidate: “What do you see as the similarities and the differences between the job that you are ‘applying’ for vis-à-vis being the president of a corporation?”
David Hernandez
Corporate Trainer
TravCorp USA, Inc.
Those who will make the final decision on this position are sharply divided in opinion as to what they want the next CEO to do. This means, right from the start, about half of them will oppose everything you try to do. How do you plan to address that from day one?
We have a rather unique problem in that the demand for our services is high but the willingness to pay for them is low. Do you see that as primarily a marketing problem or a financing problem? How would you address it?
Given that no one is an expert on everything, how would you approach selecting your chief assistants, when their jobs require expertise in areas with which you are not familiar?
Vince Hardt
Oak Hill Associates, Inc.
Have you ever exaggerated, or enhanced, information on your resume to falsely inflate your background?
Have you ever lied, or exaggerated, about your experience, background, or other qualifier for a job you sought?
Tell me about a time you disagreed with the position of the majority of your colleagues. Did you silently go along with the company (party) line, or did you have the courage to stand by you own position?
No one would suggest hiring a CEO who is untruthful, deceptive and/or lacks the courage to state his/her position and stand by it unless convinced otherwise.
John W. Phipps
Sr. Human Resources Specialist
Schenker :Logistics, Inc.
What do you see as the most important issue to keep the USA as the world leader – and what would be your approach to that issue?
What do you see as our role in maintaining World wide stability
What attributes does the USA still have compared to the rest of the world and how should we develop those to maintain our domestic economic well being?
Mike
NW Ohio
1. Which would you choose, justice or mercy and why?
2. Which trait would you most prefer from your employees, cabinet, etc: loyalty or intelligence? Why?
3. Why should I choose you over the other candidates?
Paul W Grubb
Interim Customer Business Director
Global Workplace Solutions
Johnson Controls
I decided to take another look at the candidates through a CEO perspective. I developed a criteria for screening as I would for any vacant position, then developed my questions based on the criteria.
Criteria:
1. able to be a part of a team (or work with congress) 2. capable of providing viable solutions 3. able to resolve conflict
With this in mind, here are my three questions:
1. What was your best team or group experience and why?
2. The person in this position must be innovative and proactive. What actions would you take to further develop and mass produce affordable alternative fuel?
3. Describe a time when you had a conflict with a peer, what you did to resolve the conflict and what you learned from the experience.
Thank you for this little exercise I will now take another look at our candidates from the CEO perspective before I make final decision.
Aleta Kerker
La Verne, CA
#1. Would you support a change in the way Congress prepares budgets for Bureau’s to remove a Bureau’s (or
Congress’s) ability to include budget items for a bureau that are not within the Bureau’s jurisdiction or mission?
#2. Would you support a wider, ongoing, use of internal audit to verify budget accountability quarterly during the fiscal year?
#3. Would you support a change in position descriptions for all government employees that moves from subjective to measurable descriptions?
I do also believe that the pool of presidential and vice-presidental candidates should only include individuals that have served at least one successful four-year term as an elected Governor of one of our 50 states. This should be an amendment to Article II our Constitution.
Thank you for the opportunity to try to change the system.
David O. Finney
My industry, (recycling) is loaded with employers who hire illegal help. I have been diligent in our hiring practices and am confident that I do not have any illegal help. As such I am paying approximately 45% more per person per hour for the employees I have on staff. This is a significant cost of operation that is difficult to overcome and remain competitive. Americans will do this work, however you have to pay them. As president, how will you level the playing field and insure that we are all following the same rules.
2.) We are in a war that ultimately will determine who is going to control the flow of oil out of Iraq.
a. Will you as president commit resources comparable to those assigned to the Iraq war effort to developing alternative sources of energy that are:
–Produced here in the United States and
–Reduce our nation’s carbon footprint
3.) The current administration has run up an extremely large deficit. As a father and grandfather, I am concerned that my children and grand children will look at our generation as the one that exercised no restraint pinning the cost of our larges on their generation. If elected president, will you commit to balance the budget “During Your Term
Terry Gillis
Recovery 1, Inc.
If you are chosen to run this company, could you hold what you think to be true even if no one else believes in what is said to be true? Can you hold your ground? How would you persuade or convince others to your line of thinking? Just like if you were a jury member in a court case.
Have you taken the test to determine what favor of ice cream your personality is? What favor are you? What favor do you prefer to work with?
Dottie Oliver
Deaconess Long Term Care
Corporate Payroll Supervisor
Question: As CEO (President of the United States) of this “company”, how would you bring the company out debt, to a profitable company, without trimming the “employees” health and retirement benefits and also continuing to support and progress towards technological advances in an efficient, economical, and environmentally helpful manner?
Lynn Hannah, PHR
In light of your lack of experience, what identifying traits do you provide that will assist you in the day to day task of handling; the issues of the current war, foreign affairs and policy, as well as anything that may come up on any given day, such as another attack from outside forces (such as 911), or internal forces (Oklahoma City Bombing)?
Name withheld on request.
1. What type of senior executives are you looking for, and what personality traits are most likely to be a part of your decision?
2. What organizational structure changes would you implement in the federal government if you could?
3. What percentage of the budget would you strongly advice to be allocated for competitive resources, including education incentives, for Americans citizens of all ages?
Name not given with questions
Recall a situation you encountered in public life that presented an ethical dilemma, and describe your action.
Bert Mills, Spokane, Washington
1-Describe yourself?
2-How in this world did you apply for this job?
3-What really should I look at, in your resume?
Imran Akbar
HR Executive
Global Marketing Services
Sometimes you have to take a stand on your beliefs, values and actions. Have you been in a situation where you have to defend such stand among a group of people with different beliefs and values, in order to negotiate a strategic stance for the future? What steps did you take, and what were the results of this negotiation?
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to change your strategic action plan on behalf of others? Explain the situation, what were the plans, what steps you took to defend your plans, what did you change, and what were the results.
Aida Catinchi
Div. Nuestra Gente …para servirte
Reclutamiento y Selección
This was fun!!
1) Describe to me your Management style for a diverse population of over 300,000,000 and due to longer life expectancy how you intend to maintain structure for the increasing population?
2) Can you describe to me a time and how you handled the pressure when a situation arises where an entire department (State) is in need of financial back-up and micro-management to maintain successful economic growth for the Company (Country) while being readily available for all other departments (States)?
3) When an employee is on temporary lay-off or on FMLA (jailed) due to personal circumstances, what is your protocol for the employee to come back to a work environment (society) that has dramatically changed to the point where their job description and duties have changed and it is necessary to re-train the employee to support the new environment? How long a period of time should they be allowed to adapt?
Alicia Judd,
HR and Corporate Recruiter
Arthur Marshall Inc.
1. The salaries of many CEOs are in the millions of dollars. While the CEO of the USA doesn’t earn that much on the job, would you consider taking a cut in pay and encouraging all your managers (i.e. Congress) to do the same until the budget is balanced? Why or why not?
2. If you’re chosen as the CEO, solutions to some of the challenges you face are mutually exclusive. What experiences have you had in the past that indicate an ability to negotiate resolutions among opposing points of view. (You cannot use the phrase “Working across the aisle.”)
Anne Brandt
1. If you faced a major budget deficit, what would the first 5 steps you’d consider taking in order to balance the budget?
2. Do you consider yourself a leader or a manager? Please explain your answer.
3. Do you make decisions after a thorough examination of all gathered facts and circumstances or can you make instantaneous decisions, even when it effects many people and issues. Give examples of decisions you have had to make in the past that effected many people or factors.
Toni Gilbert
Safety/Training Officer
Clallam County Human Resources Department
1) What have you done till now that you think you are eligible for this position?
2) What will be your modus-operandi that will keep you apart from other candidates?
3) In what ways will you serve the Nation if not elected for this position?
Sandeep Singh
Advent Global Solutions, Inc.
) Which are you strongest at accomplishing: developing, planning or executing?
2) What is YOUR single greatest professional accomplishment?
3) If you had a professional “do over”, what would it be?
Karen A. Young, SPHR
President
HR Resolutions, LLC
1.When choosing between two candidates for a cabinet post – one with average experience but unquestionable integrity; the other with extensive experience but who tends to make decisions based more on expediency – whom would you choose?
2. After careful consideration of all the information available to you regarding one of the major problems we face as a nation,
would you reverse the stance you previously held during your campaign if you felt it was right and in the best interest of the country – knowing your detractors would publicly criticize you claiming your were indecisive or “waffling”?
3. Do you believe that the “entitlement” mentality held by many people has gotten out of hand and, if so, what steps would you take to try to reverse it?
Sharon Faux
Director of Human Resources
Desmond Hotel
1) would allow affirmative action, race, or gender to play a part in the hiring process?
2) How would you revamp if your company had to downsize, meaning do away with the last hire, first fired and prevent the downsizing so as the little man would keep his/her job?
3) do you feel like increasing productivity in American jobs will downsize people relying on welfare, medicaid, and food subsidies?
Dr. Triana M Arnold-James, Evangelist
James & Arnold-James & Associates, LLC
Are you comfortable working under extreme pressure and deadlines?
Are you an effective decision maker?
What makes you a great leader?
Name not provided with response
I would ask the following, not necessarily in priority order:
Because the Executive Branch is complex and because you have many appointments that you can make to various positions, what process will you use to identify the most critical appointments that should be made first?
What personal qualities and competencies will you seek in the nominees that you will consider for the various positions that need to be filled, including Cabinet posts?
With the nation facing a large number of complex issues, how do you intend to work with everyone who has an agenda and yet craft compromises so that these national issues can be solved, or at least be on the way to being solved during your first term?
William N. Brown
WNB Consulting LLC
1. What do you believe the role of the federal government in employment issues should be and why?
2. What are the primary factors you would consider to select members of your cabinet and staff?
3. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision concerning an ethical conflict between two goals important to you. How did you decide which alternative to choose?
Penny Miller, SPHR
Venture HRO, LLC
1. Your experience serving in the Senate has provided a birds eye view of the 3 branches of government. What would you describe to be the 3 most important things you have learned from having that special view of operations?
2. The 3 branches of government exist for the purpose of checks and balances. If you were the CEO of the executive branch how would you bring the other two branches into your world?
3. Everyone knows that a CEO cannot handle it all or know it all without help. What methods would you choose to select the advisors you would need in your Cabinet and which are most vital to you in light of our economy and world situation? How do you see the interplay with the CEOs of the 50 states, the Governors?
I do not wish to have my name on these questions but welcome the mention of them coming from North Dakota.
What can you tell me about yourself?
What have you decision have you made that you regret in your working years? and how did you handle the situation to turn it around?
If there was a situation going on that you didn’t approve on its nature how would you change it without creating a negative reflection to your decision?
Ruth Ann Devore
1. You have told me why you would be an excellent choice for this position. What if I asked you to give me one reason why we should not offer you the position?
Comment: Although this question my appear to be a little tricky, I believe it would give valuable insight to the decision makers regarding the Candidates ability to think critically, to get a feel of the value they place on themselves and to see if they are the best.
2. Tell me about a time you had to deal with conflict with a subordinate, co-worker, etc, in the workplace? What happened? What did you do to work through the conflict? What was the result?
Comment: I like this behavioral approach because when one is able to clearly think through a past experience and solve the problem effectively this could be a good indicator of how they will perform in the future.
C. E. “Charlie” Brown, M.P.A., IPMA-CP, SPHR
Director Human Resources & Safety
RGA
1) What domestic and international initiatives are you going to implement to improve the U.S. and global economy?
2) Please provide in detail a plan to eliminate greenhouse gases and generate a sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly supply of energy. Be sure to include the cost for the transition, a completion date and any implications to the taxpayers and economy.
3) How do you plan on improving foreign relations with countries whom view the U.S as an enemy? More specifically, do you feel diplomacy can be used to solve terrorist threats and bring our troops home back to their families?
Frank Hannan
What attributes of past presidents have you admired and what have you done in your past that show that those attributes are something you can bring to this position?
What past experience do you possess that directly correlates to this position that you would consider important indicators that you will be successful?
How do you plan to make the most necessary changes that are important to you and the CO(US), considering you are going to be faced with significant opposition at times?
Jeanette Lunt
Benefits and Training Specialist
Pentel of America, Ltd.
Since your background doesn’t indicate you have the experience to manage the various businesses of the United States, will you hire talented experienced managers to work for you?
If you intend to hire experienced managers, what are the selection criteria?
Have you identified candidates for those positions? If so, who are they?
Peter
Peter Lahti & Associates, LLC
First, you have been given the job of CEO of the USA. You have the final say in what is done and cannot be undermined or overruled. But you are also responsible for the success or failure of the company and your performance will be judged on that criteria. Answer the next three questions from this perspective and give your reasoning behind each response.
One of our mainstay products/service, ABC, has been experiencing a spiral downturn in that it costs us more to continue to make and distribute than it returns to the company. Describe the steps you would take to remedy the situation and make that product/service a viable and important product/service again? How would you measure the success of your approach?
Company policy defines that no favoritism is to be given a supplier. In reviewing your staff you become aware of the fact that your most trusted assistant that you hired has been awarding contracts to a supplier that is a distant relative of yours and you believe it is because they think this will ensure their employment. How do you handle this situation if you are aware that an audit is about to take place and this fact will come to light?
You have been named both personally and in your corporate position as a defendant in a lawsuit that has been filed against your company by a former employee for employment discrimination. You did not hire the individual but one of your trusted management staff did. You have heard through the company rumor mill that the plaintiff was terminated in order to allow the manager to replace that person with someone related to an individual that they owe a large gambling debt to outside the company. You have good reason to believe there may be more truth to the rumor than anyone else knows. What do you do and why?
Geri Dyche, President
eBiz Software Inc.
Please tell me about an experience you had where you had to take a failing department or organization and turn it around. Please address what the circumstances were, what the condition of the department of the department or organization was and what the outcomes were.
In an organization as large as this one, what tangible, measurable steps can you take towards restoring a balanced budget?
What do you need to be successful in this position?
Joyce Dicianna
Executive V.P.
Autumn Harp, Inc.
1) Walk me through an important world conflict you were involved in and how you resolved it
2) Recall last time you really, I mean really… lost your temper; tell me about the situation and what you did
3) Tell me how you would institute a (or enhance the current) performance management and pay-for-performance system for all branches of our government and how/what you would communicate it to our Country’s citizens
Maurizio Morselli
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
1. what are going to do/stop illegal immigration?
2. are you going to address and revise our federal tax program and how?
3.what are your plans to address our national dilemma on health care/ insurance?
Name not provided with response.
Describe for me a situation in which you have had to resolve a conflict between two parties or individuals. What methods did you employ to resolve this conflict and what was the outcome? Did the resolution last and was it your desired goal?
Terry Houston
Executive Assistant
The Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Why are you interested in this particular position as President of the United States?
Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
Katie Ohri
Human Resource Manager
Skin Specialists P.C.
1) Please describe the pro’s and con’s of how your campaign has progressed and explain how this is a reflection of your leadership style.
2) Please reflect on what you have learned about the election process, how did you learn? How have you applied this knowledge?
3) Roll the video forward 4 years, you are running for re-election, give a brief review of the state of the Union – economically, geopolitically, militarily, socially?
Harry C. Franzheim
President
New Era Staffing & HR Solutions
How do we “engage” the employee that can’t afford health insurance and remains dependant on social services to feed their family? My business is primarily funded by medicare so raising salaries is not an option as Medicare limits what is reimbursed thereby limiting dollars for salaries.
Jonna Brakebill, SPHR
Sr. Human Resources Rep
“Taking over a company (or a country) allows you to introduce new ideas and change, but it also requires you to build upon current strength and momentum. What is the most important current initiative for the US that you would build upon?”
Mark Boxberger
ExactTarget
10 years from now, If there was one legacy you were most known for in your term as President, what would that be?
Name withheld on request.
Through reorganization and streamlining, how many positions were eliminated within the business operation, and what was the total compensation saved benefit package value saved? (i.e. can you save tax payer dollars?)
Tracy A. Watts
Manager of Employment Practices
Cumberland Farms, Inc.
Looking at your entire career so far, when you were you most satisfied in your work, and what was most satisfying about it?
Connie Schott
Director of Human Resources
Florida Hospital Memorial System
When a problem arises and the team you are leading has different ideas on how to solve the problem, tell us how what steps you would take to “get everyone on the same page”.
Let them give you the steps and then say – Give us an example.
Cindy Summers
Vice President of Human Resources
Tucoemas Federal Credit Union
1.Tell me a problem that you handled in the past that involved the expenditure of large sums of money.
2. Tell me what your criteria are for choosing employees for jobs of great responsibilities.
Pennie DePriest
Merchandise Manager
If I speak to your last employer, what will they tell me about you?
Of all the jobs you’ve had, which did you like best and why? Which did you like least and why?
Tell me about your management style, including the pros and cons.
Linda Ford
Human Resources Manager
Hope Industries, Inc.
1) Do you feel you take advice well from others or do you ultimately always go with whatever you think is right regardless of imput?
2) Describe the atmosphere at your last place of employment as CEO (tense, dynamic, energized, supportive) and if I asked the same question of the HR manager or office administrator would I get the same response?
3) Tell me about the most difficult personnel issue you’ve ever had to handle and what was the result?
Maureen E. Lestelle
Human Resource Manager
Geffen Playhouse
1) Please tell us your plan for restoring the middle and working classes, who have been suffering enormously under the current administration.
2) How would you pay for your health care plan, and who would be covered under it?
3) Please tell us what “…preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic…” means in practical terms for your presidency. How is the way that YOU plan to uphold your oath of office better than or different from your opponents’ plans?
Rachel M. Busch
Fine Impressions
Safety Coordinator
What would you do if a larger company tried to take over your company and why?
How would you handle a union trying to coerce your employees?
Would you allow employees to express their faith at meetings before or after business hours at your place of employment?
Jane Lewis
To Hillary Clinton
You have been to the white house before and you might be aware of the details of the job description, what would you change given the opportunity ?
To Barrack Obama,
You represent diverse background of the employees, what are the tools that you intend to use to manage conflict as the CEO of the USA bearing in mind most of these prejudices are real in your life?
To John McCain
As along serving member of the organisational leadership it is imperative that you have a list of achievements that make you a proud member of this elite club, What are the corporate social responsibility measures that you wish to put in place in order to manage the public image of the organisation.
Dickson S. Nyambori
Human Resources Manager
British-American Insurance Company
What can you bring to this country that others have not already?
Give us an example of a very difficult situation that you personally, successfully changed.
Name your top three priorities that you honestly feel you will accomplish should you get to be our president.
Lucy Hernandez, H. R. Administrator
Bill Joplin’s Compressor Services, Inc.
1.Please describe your multi-tasking abilities when faced with budgets, possible terrorism events, and natural disasters. Give an example from past experience of how you’ve handled a similar situation and how you have prioritized and handled more than one major event at one time.
2.You are faced with a budget very much in the red. What steps will you take to balance this budget to be fair to all of your employees and customers?
3. What steps will you take to encourage your employees and citizens to work together to build the United States image and address internal issues?
Cindy Antonelli
Training/Communication Specialist
Elkhart County Personnel & Insurance Office
What past experience will prepare you for the ‘middle of the night call’ concerning an immediate threat to our national security?
Lori
What was the most significant error in judgment you’ve made over the past several years? What did you learn from it? What would you have done differently?
Lisa Laport
Can you describe a situation when you successfully implemented a long term strategy with a positive outcome?
If you would make a mistake with serious consequences (everybody makes mistakes), what would be your way of dealing with it personally and towards public?
If you could choose to be an animal, which one would you choose?
david gaal
employee relations, training & development manager
sunčani hvar hotels
#1 What is more important (and why), becoming an “expert” in a wide variety of governance “issues” or surrounding yourself with a great team?
#2 Is it more important to build bridges, mend fences, or tear down walls?
#3 Which of the following traits do you consider to be the single greatest key to success in this position, and why; courage, leadership, passion, or negotiation skills?
Steve Piccirillo
Corporate Recruiter
Resource Management Solutions, Inc.
As a member of congress how do you defend the retirement benefits of elected officials? Do you feel it is fair for elected officials to have retirement benefits that are either not available to the general working class or not protected by law if they were offered?
Carol Johnson,
President
The Recruiting Network
Tell me about a time when your performance fell short, what did you do to rectify the situation and how did you apply what you learned?
Describe a situation where you where faced to make a difficult decision and the decision you believed to be “right”, was not shared. How did you handle the situation, what decision did you make, and what was the outcome?
Maureen P. Kiedaisch
First Vice President
Director of Human Resources and Training
Madison National Bank
1. What is your position on the Employee Free Choice Act? Will you support it, sign it? If so, why or if not, why not?
2. Do you accept contributions from labor unions? How much? Are they not a “special interest” group?
Gail D. Dampman, SPHR
Sr. Human Resources Consultant, AVP
Sterling Financial Corporation
1. How do you build consensus within a group?
2. What is the biggest weakness you’ve had to overcome, and how did you do it?
3. What is your best leadership quality?
Doreen M. Woods
Human Resources Officer
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
What are you going to do to still the “Do more with less” in the federal governmental agencies and actually get everyone to do their jobs the right way the first time while spending less on contract labor and supplies?
What and how are you going to expose “Uncooperative” legislators, both in the Senate and House, to get rid of the wasteful spending that we, the U.S., can no longer afford?
How and when will you make “free trips, gifts, etc” from Lobbyist a taxable item to the receiptant and have a monthly report card released to the media, containing all the information – who received, what, value by a third party and from whom?
Name not provided with response.
When was the last time you solved a difficult problem that would have significant impact on a large group of people and what was the situation?
How did you go about analyzing the problem and what additional information did you gather?
What alternative solutions did you consider and what was the outcome?
Deborah R. Moore,
Deputy HR Director
Department of Juvenile Justice
If you were to pull our troops from Iraq, what happens then?
How would you stabilize the economy without affecting any other areas?
What would you do to place the U.S in a powerful position as it once was?
Maria Lopez
Human Resources
What would be your criteria for hiring the top level executives in your administration?
Brian D. Fay