How should I address someone who was a professor at academia and joined the industry later as an expert?

Question

I have an interview with the department head of a tech company who is a former University professor that left academia and joined the industry two years ago. As I always try to be formal at the beginning regarding addressing the people at such meetings, I'd like to use either Dr. X or Prof. X. But, I'm not sure which one is more appropriate, and I do not want to make an unwanted misunderstanding by choosing any of the above options!

P.S. I may not have a problem regarding the above at the workplace, but I face the dilemma in my initial contacts with such a person, especially in the recruitment process. I even realized sometimes the recruiters do not care about the title, not even the Dr. title and just address the person in the email as Mr./Ms. X. But, I want to be cautious and respectful regarding the above.

Answer 1

This is actually an interesting questions because of whether or not a former professor retains the title "Prof." after leaving the university. In Germany, it depends on several factors (mostly length of tenure) which also differ by Bundesland (State/Province). So nobody will expect you to know whether or not you should address them "Prof. X". One option would be to contact your recruiter (if you have one) and ask them how the person in question prefers to be addressed.

Here's a German source that addresses the first part.

Answer 2

1. Rule #1: Local norms and culture differ a lot from company to company and industry and industry. If in doubt: Observe what everyone else is doing and do the same (unless you find it personally objectionable or inappropriate but that's a different question).
2. In most places in Germany calling someone "Professor" would be viewed as overly stiff and formal. These days it's a toss up between "Du" and "Sie" even at a fairly high level and titles are rare. In Germany the Ph.D. (Dr.) can actually be officially part of your name, but I can't remember the last time someone actually called me "Herr Doktor". In Austria using academic titles is still more customary but in Germany it's not that common anymore in the workplace (unless it's a show-off occasion like press conference, high profile client/visitor, etc.)
3. 25 years ago I worked in academia and my boss had multiple Dr. and lifelong tenure (emeritus) but he still just was "Mr. B".
4. If you still don't know it may be safest to stick with "Mr." Being overly formal can also be interpreted as a tease or slightly cynical and it's highly unlikely than someone will take offense for omitting an academic title.

Answer 3

There are already great suggestions in other answers, however one important point is missing:

In such formal events people generally start with introducing themselves, the way as somebody introduce themselves will be a good indication who they'd like you to call them.

Answer 4

I think this question deserves a slight frame challenge: they will either introduce themselves or be introduced by someone else. There are certainly valid reasons not to address people as they request, do you expect to encounter such a reason during a job interview? And if you did, do you still want to work there?

Answer 5

From Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_honorifics#Academics), emphasis mine:

While actually not an academic rank, but an office (or a honorific for former holders of this office), all professors are regularly addressed as Professor X or Herr Professor (X) (abbreviated Prof.). Female professors are addressed as Frau Professorin (X) (using feminized version of Professor comparable to the no longer used professoress) or as Frau Professor (X); if the title is used without the Frau, then it should always be rendered as Professorin X. If they hold a doctorate (which is almost always the case), the full title is Prof. Dr. X, possibly enriched by further doctorates they hold, and may be used in this form in the address on letters, in very formal occasions such as the beginning of speeches or introducing a person, and so on. Otherwise, unlike in English it is the title Dr., not the title Prof., that falls away.

So according to this, you should generally use Professor, but you can also use Professor Doktor.

Answer 6

Aside from the question whether the person holds the title of professor after leaving academia, it is completely acceptable to address even an active professor simply as "Dr.". What's more, not doing so might be considered impolite, and I'd be a bit miffed if someone would address me simply as "Mr.", especially someone from HR who might not be a peer in that regard. Also, it doesn't hurt to show a little respect. I've noticed some HR people think of applicants as supplicants, which certainly is not true at that qualification level...