FIVE QUESTIONS FOR HIS OLD BOSS  (ask all five, same order, every call)

  1. What job would you put him on tomorrow — and what job wouldn't you?
  2. Would you hire him back? (listen for the pause before the yes)
  3. When it got hard — bad weather, a long day, a screw-up — how'd he handle it?
  4. Did he show up, on time and ready, every day you needed him?
  5. Anything I ought to know that I haven't thought to ask you?