How To Prepare For An Executive Interview...

...AND Gain A MASSIVE Competitive Advantage.

So you may be thinking that as an executive with an abundance of experience and growth under your belt heading into an interview for another golden opportunity will be a walk in the park where the sun is out and the birds are cheeping!

Well here is a rather large pin and I’m going to put it into that golden balloon of yours…

POP!!!

This assured feeling, the resting on your laurels mentality WILL NOT help you ace the interview OR get you that all-important job…

The fact is, being capable and knowing your skills fit the job is not enough on its own anymore, why..? 

Because I can promise you people at your level that are being invited to interview for the same position, have the same capabilities as you (sorry to be the bearer of bad news!) So it’s not about that anymore it’s about much, much more.

The clients I work with are making these types of assumptions and mistakes all the time and with that in mind, I am going to delve deep to give you some all-important insights into the changes you need to make to have an advantage at the interview. 

The critical stages of the interview are:

1. Preparing - Prep like you’re heading into the grand final of interviews.
2. The (actual) Interview - Use the STAR approach: execution and delivery are usually messed up if you don’t have someone to practice with.  This is where utilising the services of a coach is critical because for someone on your level, who may not have been interviewed for years and may be rusty, being trained in storytelling is how people buy into you and your brand, its emotional storytelling and it is what will set you apart. (Also check out Tell Me About Yourself and What Are Your Weaknesses? - lot's of people get stuck with these questions.)
3. The End of the Interview - DO NOT disregard this moment, you need to ask questions but not just generic questions, strategic ones that position you as a suitable candidate. 

So those are the three stages of the interview that you need to control to stand out. 

Now I am going to focus on the FIVE elements that are important in your preparation for the interview.

1. Explore and Activate your Internal Sponsors

So when you are going for an Executive Interview, it is important to investigate what your network is like, who do you know within that company, who can you approach and activate.  

In this situation having insider information would be a huge benefit to you. 

It is beneficial because a position description very rarely divulges every little detail about the job and HR or a recruiter will not know all the intricacies, it’s impossible for them to have a strong understanding of every position up for consideration so don’t rely on that alone. 

You need to take control of the situation and complete your own research and activate those internal sponsors.

Remember:  It is not a time to be proud!

I had a client who was in this position, he was going for an executive-level position at an organisation where he did know a couple of people on the board. 

He didn’t want to be a “pain” or be so forward as to ask them for some information or help even. 

Eventually, after some gentle persuasion he went to those internal relationships told them of his want for the position and by divine intervention, the position hadn’t been filled and he landed the role.  

My message is that you can not let self-doubt come into play here, you cannot be so proud as to not ask for a helping hand and you cannot dismiss utilising any opportunity where it will assist you in career growth. 

Put it in the backseat, in fact, put it in the boot and stay in the driver’s seat.  I can not stress enough, always use everything in your toolbox to stand out

2. Link your Experience to the Job

You will rarely go for the mirror image job therefore you have to rely on transferable skills and ensure everything you explain is linked to those skills. 

In your interview preparation, understand what the real challenges and priorities of the company are, and then link it specifically to the experience you have and your compatibility to what they need to dive in. 

Forget if it is obvious and on your resume...

Spell it out especially if they don’t know you and your reputation.

Naturally, you need to practice the bulk standard questions but linking you and them is critical.

3. Shift-It

It is super important that you make a shift from your current personal brand to a leadership brand.  Think about: 

What is your strategy? 

What is your execution? 

Who are the stakeholders?  

Who are the team?  

And they need to be incorporated into every one of your answers. 

So once again it’s about your leadership skills, not your capabilities being able to sell yourself in the interview.

Of course, sometimes our nerves get the better of us but with the right training (as mentioned in point 2) the chances of this are much much less because in an interview setting like this YOU can’t be uncomfortable, tense and waffle.

4. Be the wide-mouthed Smiley Emoji!

Don’t be afraid to show your stellar personality, smile often and don’t have a negative façade. 

If you are having issues with connecting to that specific part then think about how your friends would describe you, then write it down and learn it! 

You are not being conceited by doing this, you are tapping into your authenticity and let me tell you authenticity is attractive so showcase your capability, leadership style  AND your authenticity it will help visualise to them that there is a cultural fit and compatibility.

So make sure you Smile Smile Smile as it is engaging, you will also come across as someone who can be a part of the team and lead that team.  

Don’t be a sitting duck, it won’t make you stand out and get that second interview it’s about engagement so ask questions and have that two-way conversation then you can build a report and make that all-important impression.

5. Go out with A BANGGGGG.

At the End of the Interview

Ask 3 strategic questions, that will confirm your suitability for the role.

Here is where you can demonstrate listening skills throughout the interview: 

“You spoke about” or, “You asked me about…”  

Follow those questions up with knowledge and experience: 

“What is currently happening in my organisation” 

Where you think a skill is important or where there is a crossover, a link.  Then simply say it:

“Something similar happened in my last company” etc tie it in.  

Don’t just ask info-gathering questions, because the interviewer WILL remember the start of the interview “tell me about yourself” and the end of the interview “do you have any questions”.

(Also check out The BEST Questions To Ask A CEO In A job Interview.)

Hopefully, this gave you some food for thought on what to do and how to prepare for an Executive Interview position.

So if you need help with preparing for the interview and the skills involved then reach out as this is what I do, I help people just like you, prepare for these types of interviews. 

Get some professional help as you will get some really valuable insights into what you need to do to leap in your career.

So schedule your FREE breakthrough session with me.

📲 https://www.newhorizoncoaching.com.au/call 

You have my word it will be a real conversation about YOU.  What your needs are, where you currently are in your career and most importantly where you want to be. 

Following this we can discuss how we will overcome any of the roadblocks, what strategies will help you and of course what working together will look like.