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Hiring for senior leadership positions is a challenging task, and it becomes even more complex when the hiring process is conducted remotely. Apart from assessing skills, it is crucial to evaluate cultural fit, personality, likability, and shared vision to ensure a successful match. Similarly, candidates face the challenge of gauging a company’s suitability based on various criteria while going through tests, conversations, and tasks. In this blog post, we will explore the experience of hiring for the General Manager role at Impekable, a fully remote digital consultancy. Drawing from this experience, we will provide five valuable tips for companies looking to make senior leadership hires, especially in a remote setup.
Recently I interviewed for the General Manager role at Impekable and the experience was awesome and worth writing about, particularly for companies looking to make a senior leadership hire, hiring remotely, or hiring the first position of its kind within the company.
About Impekable
Impekable is an end-to-end digital consultancy that guides clients through identifying business opportunities, developing solutions, validating product-market fit, and bringing solutions to fruition essentially working from idea all the way through to production. As a fully remote digital consultancy primarily targeting the North American market, Impekable’s team includes Product Managers, Product Designers, and Full Stack Engineers spread across the United States.
The search for the first GM at Impekable
Impekable’s remarkable journey began with a founder-led approach, and their growth over the past decade is a testament to their dedication and outstanding work. By consistently delivering high-quality solutions and demonstrating exceptional value to their clients, Impekable has reached a pivotal stage where the founder and CEO recognised the need for additional support in managing the expanding business. It was time to find a capable partner who could join forces with the CEO and contribute to shaping the next chapter of Impekable’s inspiring story.
5 Interview tips for companies to get the experience right
1. Share the good, the bad and the ugly
Transparency and openness are vital during the hiring process. When conducting early conversations with Pek Pongpaet, CEO of Impekable, I was impressed by the extent to which he shared data, recent history, and the company’s challenges. This level of transparency, honesty, and vulnerability provided me with a clear understanding of what to expect and motivated me to learn more about the company. As a candidate, it gave me valuable insights and helped me evaluate my potential fit within the organization.
*What are they evaluating? (my assumptions)*
– *Listening skills: Assessing how well candidates absorb the information shared.*
– *Interest: Determining the candidate’s curiosity about the company’s operations, customers, and outlook.*
– *Storytelling: Evaluating the candidate’s ability to bring relevant examples and experiences to demonstrate understanding.*
2. Ask for an analysis and path forward
In addition to initial conversations, Impekable asked me to prepare an analysis of the company and propose a strategy moving forward. Setting tasks as part of an interview process can be off putting but personally I found this to be quite useful, firstly this was not some fictitious scenario and my work would not be presented and then ignored. This task allowed me to showcase my ability to analyse information, draw conclusions, and present recommendations based on limited data. It was refreshing to know that my work would be genuinely considered, providing an opportunity to demonstrate my powers of observation, analysis, and strategic thinking. Embracing such tasks as part of the interview process can yield valuable insights for both the candidate and the hiring company.
*What are they evaluating? (my assumptions)*
– *Analytical skills: Assessing the candidate’s ability to process information and draw meaningful conclusions.*
– *Problem-solving: Evaluating the candidate’s approach to identifying areas of improvement and developing a strategy.*
– *Presentation skills: Assessing the candidate’s ability to communicate compelling recommendations effectively.*
3. Spend a day together working in person
Impekable is a fully remote digital consultancy but when making a senior leadership hire and in this case their first GM hire they felt it was critical to spend some time together. As I live in Australia the easiest place for me to get to in the US was LA. The team at Impekable flew out from Chicago and Austin respectively to spend a day with me in LA.
They hired out a working space and we spent the day going through my analysis and recommendations for the company.
Of course we could have done this over Zoom but it was great to meet people in person and spend some time together. As a candidate this was a great experience for me and helped address some of my concerns. Without meeting in person I am not sure I would have been able to tell if this was a leadership team I wanted to join. And if that wasn’t enough on a coffee break we bumped into Dan Inosanto. He was one of Bruce Lee’s first students, looking good for 86 years old!
What are they evaluating? (my assumptions)
- Commitment and investment: Assessing the candidate’s dedication to the role and willingness to engage further in the hiring process.
- Mannerisms and etiquette: Observing the candidate’s professional behaviour, addressing a room, and managing interruptions.
- Time management and leadership: Evaluating the candidate’s ability to guide and take charge of a meeting
- Ability to give and receive feedback
4. Break bread together
After a day of immersing ourselves in Impekable’s exciting future plans, our appetites were roused and ready for a delightful culinary experience. The team at Impekable thoughtfully organized a seafood dinner at a charming restaurant in Manhattan Beach. Not only was the food exquisite, but the company was even better. The evening was intentionally dedicated to fostering camaraderie and socialising, setting aside work-related discussions. We reveled in each other’s presence, creating a genuine bond that extended beyond professional endeavours.
Engaging in relaxed conversations and getting to know the leadership team at Impekable on a personal level proved to be an ideal way to conclude our productive day together. As someone who had traveled thousands of miles and invested numerous hours in preparation, it was truly fulfilling to connect with the individuals I could potentially collaborate with.
What are they evaluating? (my assumptions)
- Likeability: Is this candidate someone we genuinely enjoy being around and envision working closely with?
- Social skills: Can the candidate comfortably engage in casual interactions and build relationships with others?
- Authenticity: How does the candidate treat individuals who are not part of the interview process? Do they display consistent behaviour and treat others with respect and kindness?
5. Have fun, it’s not all about work
Throughout our interactions, whether through virtual meetings or face-to-face encounters, the Impekable team skillfully infused a delightful blend of work and enjoyment into our time together. Their ability to strike the perfect balance was truly commendable. They effortlessly captured memorable moments through photographs and openly shared personal experiences, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.
During the interview process, I found myself immersed in a unique and engaging discussion. It was an extraordinary experience where we took turns sharing anecdotes about how we met our spouses—an unexpected twist that brought laughter and genuine connection to the table. Looking back on my journey as a candidate interviewing with Impekable, I can confidently declare it as one of the most exceptional interview experiences I have ever encountered. Not only did I acquire valuable knowledge and insights over the past two months, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the process.
Embracing a combination of work and enjoyment not only adds a spark of positivity to the interview experience but also allows candidates to showcase their personality and establish genuine connections. Impekable’s approach exemplifies their commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive work environment. It is a testament to their belief that work can be enjoyable and fulfilling, fostering a culture where individuals thrive and succeed.
The past months have not only taught me invaluable lessons but have also provided unforgettable moments of joy. To all those seeking a fulfilling interview experience, remember that it’s not just about work—it’s about embracing the joyous moments along the way.
What next?
As you’ve reached the conclusion of this blog post, you may be wondering about the outcome of my application to Impekable. I am thrilled to share that I have accepted the position as General Manager, and I couldn’t be happier about joining the Impekable team. In particular, I am excited to collaborate closely with the CEO, Pek Pongpaet. While no company is without its imperfections, my exceptional experience throughout the hiring process has given me the confidence that I am entering into a genuine partnership. I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but more importantly, I have had the opportunity to get to know the remarkable individuals I will be working with as Impekable embarks on its next phase of growth.
Joining a new organisation is always an invigorating experience, and my enthusiasm for working with Impekable stems from the positive interactions I’ve had during the hiring process. Through genuine conversations, transparent communication, and a shared vision, Impekable has demonstrated its commitment to fostering a dynamic and supportive work environment. This aligns perfectly with my own values and aspirations, fuelling my eagerness to contribute to the company’s continued success.
For those of you who are in the process of hiring for remote leadership roles within your own organisations, I hope you found the insights shared in this blog post valuable. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of investing the time to meet candidates in person, despite the potential challenges it may pose in terms of logistics and budgets. The opportunity to forge meaningful connections and assess compatibility on a deeper level is truly worth the effort.
As I embark on this exciting journey with Impekable, I extend my sincere gratitude to the entire team for providing such a remarkable interview experience. I look forward to embracing the challenges, celebrating the successes, and contributing my utmost to the collective growth and prosperity of Impekable. Cheers to new beginnings and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead!
Pek Pongpaet
Helping enterprises and startups achieve their goals through product strategy, world-class user experience design, software engineering and app development.
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“Impekable delivered multiple, fantastic options for us… they genuinely cared about the project and our goals.”
Co-founder, JSwipe, acquired by Tinder
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