Mastering the Executive Interview: Strategic Preparation for Success
Insights from Evolve Career
Preparing for the Interview
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As in any interview, it is critical to prepare for an executive interview in advance. Senior roles require you to showcase both technical knowledge and leadership expertise. It is likely to incorporate open-ended questions, especially about your leadership style, where there is not a “right” answer. The interview may also focus on your interpersonal skills and how you will get along with other members of the leadership team.
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Here are some key steps to prepare for your interview.
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1. Research the company and the industry segment the company competes in. Understand everything you can about the organization, the mission, the products and services (even beyond the role you are interviewing for), the leaders, and news about the company. Also, understand the industry that the company is in and how this company is positioned against the target customer. It will allow you to provide knowledgeable responses targeted to their company.
2. Read the job description and understand the skills they are looking for in the role and identify how you will showcase your experience. Make sure that your examples are concise and clearly articulate the results of your involvement.
3. Research the professional background of the people that you are going to interview. If possible, leverage the executive recruiter, if there is one involved, to learn anything possible about the leadership dynamics and key decision makers in the process. See if you have anything in common with any of the people you are interviewing with – universities, prior employers, connections via LinkedIn – that might provide some opportunities for a more personal connection during the interview.
4. Identify any items about the job that you would want to clarify during the interview. Potentially you may like to clarify the amount of travel required, the number of direct reports, or key outcomes expected in the job, among other things.
5. Be prepared to answer the question “what are your salary requirements?” which may come up as quickly as during your first screening interview with HR. For more information, review the CAP on negotiating salaries.
6. Practice answering executive interview questions aloud, especially showcasing your leadership skills. Here are a few sample questions:
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Why do you want to work for this company?
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Tell me about yourself?
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What is your leadership style?
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Explain a major change that you implemented. Also, be prepared to answer behavioral questions in a STAR format. [Reference the portion of the CAP with STAR instruction].
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Here are a few sample questions:
- Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a colleague or supervisor.
- Tell me about a time when you addressed a direct report with a performance issue.
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7. Dress professionally to make a positive impression. Even if the company’s dress code is casual or you are meeting remotely, dress professionally to show you care.
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8. Confirm the logistics of the interview: date, time, location, estimated number of interviews, etc. If the interview is virtual, test the technology in advance on your computer and ensure that your background is professional. Ensure that the camera is at eye level, so you aren’t looking down at the camera.
9. Special circumstances: some executive interviews will require you to make a presentation to a panel of interviewers that may include peers or people in other departments, as well as your hiring manager and HR. The presentation requirements will generally be written and provide details about what should be included. Generally, these presentations request information about your professional background and ask you to address a business question, such as how you would introduce a new product or approach a typical business challenge (cost reduction, restructuring a department, expansion to support new business, etc). Prepare a presentation via PowerPoint that uses the company logo and color scheme as much as possible.
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Special Tips to Ace the Interview
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In preparation for interviews, a highly effective approach is to identify the top three compelling reasons why the company should hire you for the job. These reasons should not only encompass your education and experience but also emphasize how your skills and expertise will specifically benefit the company and the hiring manager.
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During the interview, you can utilize these three key talking points to answer questions in a way that logically makes sense. Additionally, you can use them strategically after the interviewer has finished asking their questions. Instead of immediately jumping into your own inquiries, you could tactfully express, "In my responses, I didn't have a natural opportunity to highlight some of the unique skills I can bring to your organization. If I may, I'd like to share a few of them..." You can then proceed to mention the talking points you haven't covered yet.
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Limiting these talking points to three is intentional, as it makes them easier to remember and keeps your pitch concise. Remember, the three reasons you present should directly align with elements in the job description and strongly showcase your leadership abilities.
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For instance, if the job requires leading a major company initiative, and they seek your expertise in collaborating across the organization, you could highlight a relevant example from your past experience. However, it's crucial to follow up by explaining how the company will benefit from having you on their team.
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When citing specific benefits, consider statements like:
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"I possess the ability to quickly get up to speed, ensuring a seamless transition into the role."
"My expertise in driving sales will undoubtedly contribute to the company's revenue growth."
"With my efficient program implementation skills, I can make a substantial impact on operational effectiveness."
"My proficiency in identifying cost efficiencies can lead to substantial savings for the company."
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For instance, you might say, "My experience successfully implementing the XYZ company initiative aligns remarkably well with the responsibilities of this role, and your organization will greatly benefit from my proven ability to collaborate effectively with various teams."
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Finally, you can reinforce these three reasons in your thank-you note at the end of the interview:
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"Thank you for your time today; I remain genuinely enthusiastic about the position. My background closely aligns with this role, and I'm excited to contribute the following benefits to the organization: [List benefits]. I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the next steps."
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By skillfully articulating your unique value and aligning it with the company's needs, you increase your chances of making a lasting impression on the interviewers.
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​Create Questions for the Interviewers with your Top Values
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It's essential to understand what matters most to you when considering a new company. If you've had negative experiences in the past, it becomes critical to assess whether similar dynamics might exist in the prospective organization.
Keep in mind that the values portrayed on the company website may not always align with the values exhibited by the leadership in their day-to-day interactions.
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When asking about your values, aim to create open-ended questions that encourage the interviewer to elaborate. Instead of straightforward inquiries like, "Do you value diversity?" which might receive a standard "yes" response, try asking something like, "How has your organization demonstrated its commitment to diversity?"
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To gain insights into the level of authority you'll have, consider asking, "How are decisions typically made within the company?" Understanding the decision-making process can indicate the extent of your decision-making rights and whether everything gets escalated to the CEO.
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If you wish to address work-life balance, especially concerning important family commitments, you might rephrase the question from, "Is there work/life balance?" to, "Could you share an example of how the company has accommodated employees' work-life balance preferences in the past?" This approach invites the interviewer to provide concrete instances of how the company supports their employees' desires for a balanced lifestyle.