At Sirius Search we aim to support and coach all of our candidates before their interviews with our Clients. We can provide a deeper dive into the role and the Client than what is detailed on the Job Description and on-line, helping candidates prepare and focus on the areas of their experience which will be the most relevant for the business they are interviewing with. As well as the generic interview questions and preparation, we have highlighted below some key considerations when preparing for Executive level interviews:
- Research is so important, dig deep. Access all information; reviews, financial reports and accounts, growth, acquisitions, Board/SLT changes to fully understand some of the challenges and strategic goals they may have faced or what may lie ahead and think about how your experience will lend itself to what the business needs.
- Do your homework on who you are meeting, other Board members, their backgrounds, longevity with the Company. What similarities do you have? What are the key strategic goals for the business and what experience do you have to play your part to achieve these?
- Know your sector. If you are coming from a different sector, research this, understand the market changes, challenges, legislative changes affecting the industry and find the similarities in your sector and common ground. How have you overcome these challenges in the past?
- When talking about past experience and specific examples, it is so important to detail YOUR specific role in that task, the key role YOU played to achieve the desired result. You may have had a team doing a lot of the work on a project but what was YOUR part in this. Be specific about what you are bringing to the table.
- Understand the structure, reporting and business. It maybe that as well as bigger picture strategic answers, your awareness of what happens at ground level also counts.
- LISTEN and READ body language. Understand what is being asked and answer the question without getting side-tracked. Be aware at all times of the Interviewers body language, keep succinct and to the point, the interviewer is going to be very time precious.
- Awareness of body language and style. Confidence in your ability without arrogance. Enthusiasm, passion and interest but maintaining professionalism. Give examples of your ability to influence others and bring people on board to your ideas and the results/impact this had on your business. Build rapport and don’t be scared to relax, show your personality as well.
- Always good to remember the basics: appearance (admittedly this has slackened over the last year but still good to remember!), punctuality, always have questions!
