Some job seekers stumble into an EOS® company by chance and never want to work any other way again. Others see “we run on EOS” in a job ad and wonder what it means.
If you’re curious about working in a business that runs on EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System®), this guide explains how to land a job at an EOS company: what to expect, how to find these roles, how to stand out when you apply, and what to ask in the interview.
What it’s like to work in an EOS company
EOS is a business operating system created by Gino Wickman and introduced in his 2007 book Traction. It gives a leadership team a set of simple tools for vision, people, data, issues, process and traction.
Every EOS company runs it a little differently, but you’ll often notice a few things:
- Clear seats. Your role is defined as a seat on the Accountability Chart™, with a short list of things you’re accountable for.
- Quarterly priorities. Teams and individuals set Rocks: the three to seven most important priorities to complete in the next 90 days.
- Weekly numbers. Many seats own one or more measurables on a weekly Scorecard.
- A regular meeting rhythm. Leadership teams, and often departments, hold a weekly Level 10 Meeting™ with a set agenda.
- Core Values that matter. EOS companies use their Core Values when hiring, reviewing and recognizing people.
- Problems that get solved. Issues are raised and worked through using IDS® (Identify, Discuss, Solve), rather than left to fester.
For many people, this means more clarity about what’s expected and more honest conversations. If you like knowing exactly what “doing a good job” looks like, it can be a great fit.
How to find roles at EOS companies
Use a job board built for them
EOS Jobs lists roles at businesses that run on EOS. It’s free for job seekers, and every ad is checked by a person before it goes live. Ads show the seat, its Rocks, its Scorecard measurables and the company’s Core Values, so you can judge your fit before you apply.
Search general boards for EOS language
On other job sites, try searching for phrases such as “runs on EOS”, “Accountability Chart”, “Level 10” or “Integrator”. Employers who use EOS often mention it in the ad.
Look at company websites
Some businesses mention EOS on their careers or about pages. If a company you admire mentions it, that’s a useful clue about how it operates.
How to stand out when you apply
Read the seat carefully
An EOS-style ad usually tells you what the seat is accountable for, the first Rocks and the numbers you’ll own. Read them closely. If they excite you, say so. If one worries you, think about how you’d handle it.
Speak to results, not just duties
EOS companies care about measurable outcomes. In your resume and cover letter, show the results you’ve achieved, with numbers where you can. “Reduced overdue invoices from 40 to 10 in a quarter” says more than “responsible for accounts receivable”.
Show the Core Values in action
Look at the company’s Core Values and think of a real example for each one from your work history. You don’t need to repeat the values word for word. Just tell honest stories that show you live them.
Use GWC™ to check your own fit
EOS companies assess candidates using GWC™: Get it, Want it, Capacity to do it. Ask yourself the same questions before you apply:
- Get it: Do I genuinely understand what this seat involves?
- Want it: Do I actually want to do this work every day, not just have the title?
- Capacity: Do I have the skills, experience and time to do it well?
If you can answer yes to all three, you’re in a strong position. If not, it may be worth looking for a better-matched seat.
Don’t worry if you’re new to EOS
Plenty of EOS companies hire people who’ve never used EOS before. What matters most is that you share their values and suit the seat. A little reading on the basics before your interview will help you follow the conversation.
Questions to ask in the interview
Good questions show you’ve done your homework, and they help you decide if the business is right for you.
About the seat
- “Can you walk me through the roles of this seat on your Accountability Chart?”
- “Which Rocks would I own in my first 90 days?”
- “What numbers would I own on the Scorecard, and what are the goals?”
- “Who sat in this seat before, and what did they do well?”
About how the business runs on EOS
- “How long have you been running on EOS?”
- “Do you work with an EOS Implementer®, or do you self-implement?”
- “Which meetings would I be part of, and how often?”
- “How are issues raised and solved in the team?”
About culture and people
- “Can you tell me about a time someone on the team showed one of your Core Values?”
- “How do you give feedback, and how often?”
- “What does success look like in this seat after a year?”
The answers will tell you a lot. A business that runs EOS well should be able to answer most of these clearly.
What to expect in the hiring process
Every business is different, but in an EOS company you may notice:
- interview questions that ask for specific examples of each Core Value;
- questions that test whether you get, want and have the capacity for the seat;
- a conversation with the person who’d lead the seat you’re applying for;
- a clear explanation of how your performance would be measured.
That clarity cuts both ways. You’ll have a good idea of what you’re signing up for, and so will they.
Find your next seat
If the idea of clear expectations, honest conversations and a team that gets things done appeals to you, an EOS company could be a great next step. Browse current roles on EOS Jobs. It’s free, and you apply directly to the employer. Have questions about how the site works? Check our FAQ or read more about EOS Jobs.
EOS Jobs is an independent job board and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by EOS Worldwide, LLC. EOS® and the Entrepreneurial Operating System® are registered trademarks of EOS Worldwide, LLC.