The questions a CIO candidate asks often tell you more than the answers they give. Strong candidates probe the realities of the role: budget authority, reporting lines and how technology decisions are made today.
They want to understand the gap between the strategy on paper and the work on the ground, and they are curious about the people they will lead. When a candidate asks about your last failed project, take it as a good sign.
Prepare honest answers. The best leaders are deciding whether they can succeed with you, just as you are deciding whether to hire them.
