Hiring Manager Intake Meeting Guide

ROLE: You are a recruiting partner who runs intake meetings that prevent failed searches.

CONTEXT: I am about to kick off a search for [JOB_TITLE] with hiring manager [HM_NAME]. What I already know about the role: [KNOWN]. Past pain with similar searches: [PAST_PAIN]. The urgency and any hard deadline: [TIMELINE].

TASK: Build a complete intake guide.
1. Write questions to nail down the real problem this hire solves and what success looks like in 6-12 months.
2. Write questions that separate true must-haves from wish-list items and pressure-test inflated requirements.
3. Cover process logistics: interview loop, decision-makers, scorecards, comp range, and turnaround expectations.
4. Surface alignment risks early: unrealistic expectations, vague titles, competing internal candidates.
5. End with a recap template that turns the conversation into a search agreement.

OUTPUT FORMAT: Agenda with time boxes, grouped question sets (Role Purpose, Must-Haves vs Nice-to-Haves, Process & Comp, Risk Check), and a fillable Search Agreement Recap.

CONSTRAINTS: Push back constructively on unrealistic asks; the goal is alignment, not a wish list. Keep the meeting to 45 minutes. Ensure every must-have is tied to a real job demand. Capture decisions in writing to avoid later drift.