Interview—What to Expect

During the first executive interview, the interviewer should speak at least 60% of the time. In subsequent interviews, that percentage decreases, with you doing more of the talking.

Let’s set the stage for the interview process. Following are the three primary stages you’ll likely encounter while interviewing:

1. The rapport-building process starts the minute you meet the executive interviewer. It involves the dialogue you exchange (primarily the small talk you engage in during the initial introductions).

2. The information-exchange process takes place when you uncover the hiring authority’s executive needs and connect with them on those main points. This stage takes place during the bulk of the actual executive interviewing portion.

Here is where you hope to discover the possibilities that exist at the company in which you can make a difference. Once you have done so, you then need to articulate a valid connection where your professional executive background will help the organization.

3. The summary and closing portions of the interview process are where you briefly summarize the main points of the executive interview and acknowledge your interest in and appreciation for the opportunity to interview.

You also acknowledge that there is a mutual fit. If you are not sure how you feel about the executive position at this time, keep that opinion to yourself. You may change your mind with additional information and future executive interviews. The main thing is you want to keep your options open. The more the hiring authority gets to know you as a person, the more they will be willing to modify the executive position in the areas where you have realistic concerns. If the executive job is a total mismatch and you are willing to walk away from the company forever, and then tell the interviewer politely that you are not interested at this time.

Ask if there are any objections or concerns about your executive background relative to you being seriously considered as a viable executive candidate for the position. Handle all of the hiring authority’s objections at this time. The more time that lingers with a negative feeling about your executive background or a misunderstanding of your answers being harbored, the harder it is to turn the situation around. The sooner you address any negative concerns or misunderstandings the better it is for you!

Ask what the next step is. The answer to this question will give you a sense of the hiring authority’s timing. At this time, you can even ask them if there is a suggested time period at which you should follow up with them regarding the next step.

*** The above material is are excerpts from my newest executive job search book, The NEW Rules of Job Search – How to Land an Executive Job in the New Economy, Chapter 12 – Interview Questions That Change the Game, pages 188-90.

 

Have a good week with your executive job search.

 

Feel to contact me at sweet@ExecutiveJobSearchExpert.com if you are ready for professional help with ramping up your executive job search results.

 

I look forward to helping you achieve great results with your executive job search!

 

Eleanor

 

Eleanor Anne Sweet

Executive Job Search Expert Coach â„¢

 

PS

TODAY”S Executive Job Search Action Plan:

1. Register for my weekly executive job search tips on my newest web site, www.ExecutiveJobSearchExpert.com

2. CLICK HERE to find out more about my newest job search book, Success Secret #2 – Interview Questions That Change The Game

3. Go to www.TheJobSearchExperts.com to register for additional weekly executive job search information to help you with your executive job search and landing that next great job faster.

4. Go to www.GreatInterviewQuestionsBlog.com for additional interview questions and suggested answers, in addition I suggest you register for the RSS feed for that blog. That way every week you will have the executive interview questions and answers sent to your email account.

5. Here is some great help for you, CLICK HERE FOR YOUR BOOK

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