Interviewing is hard. I get it. It’s hard when I interview CMO’s as a former 7x marketing leader. And it’s even harder when you are a founder with a technical background.
I’m here to help. These are my top 8 interview questions that will help you find the right CMO for your SaaS or AI startup. Whether you’re looking for a creative storyteller or a data-driven strategist, these questions will guide you in making the right choice.
Watch the video for background behind the top 8 questions or skip to the cliff notes below 👇.
🔍 Question 1: Crafting the Elevator Pitch
Start by asking candidates for the elevator pitch for their current company. This question reveals their storytelling prowess and ability to concisely convey complex ideas. Look for clarity, emotion, and brevity in their responses.
🏠 Question 2: Evaluating Homepage Strategies
Next, dive into their current homepage. As them why they designed it this way. Their analysis will show whether they lean more towards creativity or data-driven decisions. A cluttered homepage can be a red flag, while a clear, visually appealing one speaks volumes.
🤝 Question 3: Building Internal Relationships
As them which internal stakeholders they like to build relationships with. Understanding which internal stakeholders they prioritize gives insight into their alignment with your company’s needs. Are they focused on sales, product, finance, or board relationships? This will highlight their strategic focus.
🌟 Question 4: Defining and Measuring Brand
Ask them what brand means to them and how they’ve built and measured it. This reveals their holistic view of branding and their ability to track its impact through various metrics like aided recall and sentiment.
📈 Question 5: Utilizing Product-Led Growth (PLG)
What is PLG? For companies embracing PLG, this question is crucial. It assesses their familiarity with PLG strategies and metrics, ensuring they can drive growth through a product-first approach.
🔢 Question 6: Understanding Multi-Touch Attribution
Ask them what attribution methodology they like to use. This technical question separates the data-driven marketers from the rest. Multi-touch attribution is essential for understanding how various marketing channels contribute to conversions, especially in B2B SaaS.
🦸♂️ Question 7: Identifying Super Skills and Kryptonite
Ask them their super skills and their kryptonite. This question encourages self-awareness. Candidates should know their strengths and weaknesses, which helps you understand how they’ll complement your team.
📊 Question 8: Tracking Key Marketing Metrics
Finally, explore their approach to key marketing metrics. A well-rounded CMO should be comfortable with funnel metrics, brand metrics, experience metrics, and PLG metrics.
Hiring a CMO is a pivotal decision. By asking these targeted questions, you can ensure you find the right fit for your company’s unique needs. Let me know your favorite interview questions in the comments!
#CMO #Hiring #MarketingLeadership
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