How to Prepare for an Executive Interview

Executive interviews are different from regular job interviews. The stakes are higher, the questions are more challenging, and the expectations are much greater.

You need a solid strategy if you’re preparing for an executive role. This guide will help you prepare for what’s ahead.

Understanding What Makes Executive Interviews Different

Executive interviews focus on leadership and vision. They want to know if you have what it takes to move the company forward. They’re not simply looking at your ability. They’re looking to understand how you think and make decisions.

The interview process is longer, too. You will likely interview with multiple individuals and have various rounds. You will be interviewed by the board members, senior executives, and key stakeholders.

The questions will probe deep into your experience. You can expect to be asked about specific instances where you guided teams through difficult situations. You’ll require actual examples, not theoretical answers.

Research the Company Inside and Out

Start at the company’s website. Check out its mission statement and recent news announcements. Review its financial reports if available. You ought to be able to grasp its business model.

Study their competition, too. Understand the company’s market position. What are their problems at present? What are their opportunities?

Research the individuals you’re about to meet. Look at their LinkedIn profiles and latest interviews. Knowing their background makes it easier to connect with them throughout the conversation.

Don’t overlook company culture. Look at employee comments on websites like Glassdoor. That gives a sense of what working there is really like.

Prepare Your Leadership Stories

Executive-level interviews require more emphasis on behavioral-style questions. You have to provide specific examples of leadership demonstration.

Think about times that you turned around a struggling team. How did you analyze the problems? How did you change things? What were the results?

Create accounts of difficult choices you have made. Executives often have to make difficult choices with no obvious correct answer. Illustrate the way you make and select options under pressure.

List examples of times when you’ve managed change. Companies hire executives to implement change. They want to know if you can lead individuals through uncertainty.

Don’t overlook setbacks. Everyone experiences setbacks. What matters is what you have learned and how you’ll do things differently next time.

Master the Art of Strategic Thinking

Executive roles require strategic thinking. You’ll have to show that you can look beyond day-to-day details.

Practice addressing trends within the industry. How is technology affecting the industry? Are there new regulations that will affect the company? Where are the areas of growth?

Be prepared to articulate your vision of the role. What would be at the top of your to-do list within the first 90 days if hired? What would you tackle within the first year?

Think about how you would construct and create teams. Executives spend a significant amount of time making personnel decisions. How do you spot talent? How do you build people?

Prepare for Board-Level Conversations

Most executive interviews are with board members. These are conducted differently from standard interviews.

Board members care about the issues of governance and risk. They care about whether you get compliance done and help safeguard the company against legal problems.

They also care about bottom-line performance. You must be prepared to discuss budgets, revenues, and cost management. You must know the numbers even if you’re not doing a finance job.

Board members value clear communication. Avoid using jargon to impress them; instead, reply directly and to the point.

Handle Compensation Discussions Professionally

Executive compensation is complicated. It typically consists of a mix of base pay, bonuses, equity, and benefits plans.

Do your research beforehand. Understand what other similar jobs are paying in your market. PayScale and Glassdoor can be useful sources, but executive pay data might be scarce.

Consider using an executive recruiter who knows the market. They will be more capable of advising you on what to expect.

Do not mention compensation initially. Allow the company to initiate that discussion. Once they do, be ready to explain your expectations in a straightforward manner.

Remember that almost everything is up for negotiation. Salary, bonus structure, equity awards, vacation days, and severance package are all fair game.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Your questions are just as vital as how you respond to their questions. Thought-provoking questions indicate that you’re thinking strategically about the role.

Ask about the company’s biggest challenges. What keeps the CEO up at night? Understand their pain points so you can position yourself as the solution.

Get to know the team you will inherit. Where are their strengths? Where are their areas of improvement? How has the team performed recently?

Can I ask about metrics of success? How will you gauge your success in this position? Success at one year?

And what about resources? How much money would you have? How much control would you have over making decisions?

Practice Your Executive Presence

Executive presence is hard to define but easy to recognize. It is the way that you present yourself and communicate with confidence.

Speak clearly and concisely. Executives must be able to explain complex concepts simply. Practice not using filler words “um” and “uh.”

Be aware of body language. Stand upright, make eye contact, and use gestures that enhance the point, not detract.

Dress according to the company culture. If unsure, dress business-like. At the executive level, first impressions count.

Manage Your Online Presence

Employers will probably look you up online before the interview. Have your online presence complement your application.

Update your LinkedIn page. Make sure it aligns with your resume and highlights your executive experience. Get LinkedIn endorsements that will endorse your leadership abilities.

Delete any non-professional data on your social media sites. Delete everything that is not business-oriented. Make all personal profiles private.

Google yourself and see what comes up. If you have something negative listed, be prepared to discuss this honestly with the interviewer.

Plan for Multiple Interview Rounds

Executive hiring processes often involve several rounds of interviews. Each round serves a different purpose.

The first round might be with HR or an executive search firm. This is usually a screening conversation to ensure you meet the basic requirements.

Later rounds involve meeting with your potential peers and the person you’d report to. These conversations focus more on fit and working style.

Final rounds often include board members or the CEO. These are the most strategic conversations about vision and leadership.

Be prepared for the process to take weeks or even months. Executive searches move slowly because the stakes are high.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Executive Career?

Getting prepared for an executive interview does require time and effort. But thorough preparation is what differentiates you from getting the job vs. missing out on a great opportunity.

We at Hunter Recruiting have a comprehensive understanding of the executive search process on both sides. We assist top-tier companies in identifying superior leaders and guide executives through challenging interview processes.

Our search consultants are seasoned professionals. They can help you get interview-ready, negotiate a compensation package, and secure a fitting opportunity to suit your career goals.

Ready to tackle executive roles? Contact Hunter Recruiting today or submit your resume. Allow us to assist you with the next step in your leadership journey.