Guides
Questions to ask in an interview at a mission-driven company
Mission-driven companies expect you to care about the mission. These questions help you find out whether the company actually lives up to it.
Interviewing at a mission-driven company works a little differently. They will ask why you care about what they do. You should ask whether they do what they say. Here are questions that get real answers.
About the mission
- How does the mission show up in a normal week for this role?
- What is a decision the company made recently where the mission cost it money?
- Who holds the company accountable for its mission, and how?
If the answers are vague, the mission may be mostly marketing.
About pay and benefits
- What is the pay range for this role?
- How are raises decided?
- Is there any profit sharing or ownership for employees?
Mission-driven companies sometimes assume you will accept less because you care. Ask anyway.
About workload
- What does a typical week look like in hours?
- How does the team handle it when there is more work than people?
- When was the last time someone on this team took two full weeks off?
About the structure
- Who makes the final call on big decisions?
- If this is a co-op or employee-owned company, how does an employee become an owner?
One last question
Ask what would make someone leave this job. A thoughtful answer tells you the company is honest with itself. A "nobody leaves" answer tells you something too.