Question 3: at Your Last Job - Whom Did You Report to and What Was Their Position With the Company?

This is a more specific question that usually is straight-forward and requires a straight forward answer. It will give the recruiter a sense of what your relationship with your boss was. In my experience a surprising number of people make the mistake of criticizing their ex-bosses or ex-employers. Even if you have sound business reasons not to be happy with your previous position a job interview is not the right place to vent. Stay positive instead, and try to highlight the aspects of your experience with the ex-boss, that will make you a better fit for the position you are applying for.

OK - now here is what the interviewer is really trying to learn about you, when asking this question:

1. The answer to this question will help the recruiter gauge your exact position in the pecking order. Many times the title does not carry its meaning from one company to the next. In a sales-driven organization for instance a sales rep may have the title of Vice President or Director - and it is all just to give the potential clients the sense that they are working with someone high enough. At the same time in another organization a simple title like Manager or Associate, may come with a P&L responsibility, multi-million dollar budget and a team of MBAs reporting into that same manager or associate.

2. Your answer to this question will reveal your exposure level - how high in the organization you were able to reach, to have influence with your work. It makes a difference if you were reporting to one of the many directors or to the Senior VP and this is something the recruiter wants to know.

3. The recruiter will also be on alert for your criticism of your ex-boss. This is usually a good indicator for possible future attitude so like I said - it is a mistake to offer any negative information about your relationship with your boss or negative information for that boss in general. If you are talking with the hiring manager she may think "Gee, this person will leave tomorrow and criticize me in the same manner!"