Tips for Interviewing for Business Operations Roles

The busiest hiring season of the year is in full swing, and acing the interview is key to landing your next Business Operations role.

There are many things you have to do prepare for a successful interview for any role, such knowing the organization and the role, being clear and concise about your experience, and articulating your goals. In all cases, there are role-specific details that you should be prepare to land your next dream job. We gathered some insights from Bay Area BizOps experts for interviewing and hiring for Business Operations roles:

Know the key business levers. Business Operations professionals need to demonstrate a strong understanding of the business drivers, said one $1B+ SaaS BizOps & Strategy leader. “Be ready to answer questions about problem solving, [and] brush up your case interview skills if necessary,” said another BizOps executive. Business levers are specific aspects of the business that are directly linked to business KPIs, such as profitability, ROI, cost optimization, etc. Each organization and the problems they are trying to solve is unique, so it’s important to understand the specific levers for the company, stage, and industry.

Ask questions to understand the specific role. Many candidates assume that Business Operations roles are internal strategy consulting, when this is usually not the case, said another $5B+ software Business Operations senior executive. Business Operations roles come in many shapes, sizes and forms:

1. Strategic or Special Programs: Focused on top priority cross-functional projects as mandated from a C-level executive.
2. Business Unit: Focused on managing and launching products and services.
3. Functional: Focused on business operations for specific functions in a business, such as data integration or corporate real estate.

Interviewing is a two-way street, so to help ensure long-term fit and job satisfaction, thoroughly understand the organization and the Business Operations team through some key questions:

1. How is the Business Operations team structured?
2. What types of projects/initiatives does the Business Operations team work on?
3. What is the potential growth and opportunity for the Business Operation role and the team?

Clearly articulate “Why Business Operations?” and “Why this company?” Communicate how your experience and goals are a good fit for the company and position. “I’m always surprised to hear weak answers [to these questions],” said the $1B+ SaaS BizOps & Strategy leader. Your experience and skillsets to perform the specific job are just as important as the team/company’s alignment with your personal goals/values. Express how you started and pursued your career in Business Operations, the aspects you enjoy, and your short and long-term goals. At the same time, explore and communicate the ‘why’ of joining a specific company and the team.

All interview tips apply for Business Operations roles, but the preparation of these there nuances and specific preparation and attention to details will give you an advantage during the interview process.

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