Ask HN: Why should I ask my predecessor in a role I'm applying for?

5 points·howlgarnish··4 comments

I'm considering applying for a senior role in a company. As luck would have it, I have a chance to speak candidly with my predecessor, who no longer works there. Aside from the obvious "what do you think I should know" and "why did you leave", what are the most important things I should ask?

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- Why did you leave ?

- What were some of the good things about the role that you enjoyed ?

- What were the difficult things about the role that you weren't particularly good at or didn't enjoy as much ?

- If you could redo this role, would you do anything differently ? What would those be ?

- How does the company/team measure success in this role ?

- Do you have any issues recommending me against taking role ?

> - Why did you leave ?

An important question, but phrasing it like that will just yield a rehearsed non-answer (“I found a new exciting opportunity...”)

Rather, ask many small questions and piece an answer together - “what could the company done different to keep you?”

At one role, I was interviewed and vetted by my predecessor. I came to understand he hated the role and was looking to fill the gap he had left that no one wanted to fill. Coincidentally, he was the last person I spoke with before leaving on my last day and he apologized to me for having put me in that position.

I often find the history of projects immensely helpful to understand why choices were made.

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