22 Must-Ask Questions When Hiring Fractional Talent

As a CxO, why hire a fractional leader for your organization? It's simple: while the fractional leader may not be working with your company full-time - the level of experience and knowledge the bring should be invaluable to you. They can accomplish more in fewer hours because of this expertise. Ultimately, this helps you to maximize your investment in the role. 

When you start identifying the right candidate, first and foremost, you should identify someone aligned with your core values who will enhance the work culture instead of causing friction. (Unless cultural evolution is the reason for that person.) Consider your bigger vision of where you want the business to be, and find someone for this role that has already operated at that level. And finally, look for someone who will push you to be better at what you do. 

Here are 22 questions to consider when conducting your interviews of your fractional candidates:

1. One of our core values is X; share an example of how you leaned into that value in past roles or engagements.
2. Tell us about your most recent fractional engagement - what are one or two accomplishments you are most proud of?
3. What specific expertise do you bring to the table as a fractional consultant?
4. Can you provide examples of similar fractional engagements you've successfully completed?
5. As a fractional leader, how do you help your CEO/founder look at you as an embedded member of the team?
6. How do you stay updated on industry trends and best practices relevant to your expertise?
7. What is your approach to understanding and aligning with the goals of our organization?
8. How do you handle potential conflicts of interest when working on multiple engagements?
9. What tools or methodologies do you typically use in your fractional work?
10. How do you measure and track the success of your fractional engagements?
11. Can you walk us through your process for identifying and addressing challenges?
12. How do you ensure confidentiality and security when working remotely?
13. What is your availability for meetings and updates throughout the duration of the assignment?
14. How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when working on more than one engagement?
15. Are you familiar with our industry, and what steps will you take to understand our specific market and challenges?
16. How do you adapt your strategies to changes in the external business environment?
17. Can you share any certifications, affiliations, or memberships relevant to your consulting expertise?
18. Can you provide examples of situations where you've had to pivot or adjust strategies based on evolving client needs?
19. Tell me about your style for managing direct reports in a fractional capacity.
20. What do you see as the difference between consulting and fractional work?
21. (If you are using EOS, Scaling Up, Pinnacle, or other similar programs.) Tell me about your experience implementing X and/or providing ongoing facilitation inside the X framework.
22. How do you ensure a smooth transition when the fractional engagement comes to an end?

Choose 4-5 questions you will ask, what your ideal response might look like, and then create a way to rate the candidates. You’ll likely find that more than one person that can do the job… your assignment is to choose the one who will do the job the best today, and leave the company a better place when the engagement comes to an end.

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