Tricky interview question

[NosyJosie]

I’ve got a next stage interview with the director I would be reporting into if I get the job.

My old boss in a previous company used to work with her and I have convinced myself she will ask me what I think of “Simon”.

She will either think he’s a giant macho bellend (which he is) or she’ll think he’s brilliant and charming (also true). There is no middle road with Joe.

How do I come up with an answer that does not make me either sound hostile or like an airhead?

That would be a very inappropriate question to ask and I'm not sure I would want to work for someone that engaged in gossip.
Edited to add : if you are asked, I would just say that I don't talk about other people or turn it around and ask her what she thinks of him.

Find one redeeming quality and one area that’s not universally recognised as positive.

eg. He’s a very confident character who can really drive team cohesion at times, although sometimes that can come at the expense of missing the quieter voices or outlying members of the team.

If she thinks he’s ace, she’ll hear the first bit. He she thinks he’s a knob, she’ll hear the second bit.

Say both sides, give a factual strengths and weaknesses based answer.

"Well, it's a bit marmite with Simon - on the plus side he's brilliant and charming, but there again he knows he is..."

That would be strange, but if she does mention him I'd say something like "I've learnt a lot from working alongside Simon, as I have from all of my employers and colleagues".

I agree with the first answer. Just say you'd prefer not to comment.

@NosyJosie are you aware that you've used two names in your post - "Simon" and another one at the end of the second to last sentence that I won't repeat in case it is the real name!

Well joe/Simon is someone you cannot forget. He certainly leaves an impression.

@POTC - I was assuming that was connected to OP's username and so was referring to them?

I can't see any way that would make sense though, the interviewer doesn't know the OP yet and that paragraph was talking about what the interviewer might think

"Simon was my boss, so I knew him in that context. I think when you work for someone you see each other on good and bad days. I'm fortunate that I can usually see the bigger picture during tricky moments. I learned masses with Simon as my boss"

Haha didn’t realise but both are fake names. Phew.

@POTC - I read it OP was saying that they (OP) tend to form opinions of people that are very black-and-white, so it will either be positive or negative but no halfway house - and presumably their name is Joe – I am probably entirely wrong though!

Nope. “Simon” is a complicated leader and people eirher love him or hate him. I’m nervous about which camp she falls into and I want to give a smooth answer that doesn’t sway her opinion of me. If she hates him and I’m talking about what a marvellous guy he is she might think I’m an idiot and in reverse if she thinks he’s terrific and I indicate I think he’s a knob.

Some good suggestions and I’m probably overthinking it …

This is a small industry and everybody knows somebody.

I wouldn't answer that as it would be totally unprofessional. I'd go with one of the non-committal options suggested on here.

This! You don't actually have to give your opinion on someone

Dont comment on his personality at all.

Did he / his business team do what was need to be done to meet the needs of the business?

You were part of that sucessfull team and you think your skillset will be a great match for her team.

If not so sucessful you learned a lot and hope to learn more under her leadership.

I am through to the next round 🥳

Congratulations @NosyJosie !

Did she ask about Simon/Joe?