Executive-level positions are fewer in number, higher in salary and ever more critical to an organization’s success. That’s why candidates must be able to succinctly demonstrate how their experience and personality will allow them to manage critical projects, turn around a faltering organization, or move a growing business forward.
Although the perennial interviewing tips certainly apply to executive-level job hunters, here are some of the finer points worth noting:
Be yourself. This is easier said than done, since interviews are not entirely natural situations. That’s all the more reason why executives must allow their personalities to come through. Interviewers want to feel that they’ve gained a true sense of what a candidate is like, and they’ll be paying particular attention to how effectively he or she communicates. In a recent Robert Half Management Resources survey, 29 per cent of chief financial officers in
Canada
said they are most impressed by problem-solving skills in executive job candidates.
Prepare for sensitive but predictable questions. Expect interviewers to probe the reasons behind your job search. You’ll inevitably be asked why you want to make a change, what you’re looking for that’s missing from your current situation and your expected salary range. Your answers to these questions are crucial, so carefully plan what you’re going to say -- or not going to say. You need to satisfy the interviewer’s curiosity without raising any concerns.
Give specific examples. The key to standing out is illuminating how and why you’ve been successful in the past. Interviewers will take note of interesting anecdotes about how you dealt with a difficult colleague, restructured a company’s debt in a way that dramatically improved the bottom line or solved a tough business challenge. Twenty-six per cent of financial executives polled in the Robert Half Management Resources survey said they are impressed by interview candidates who convey verbal communication skills.
Dig for details. Attempt to uncover useful tidbits that are just below the surface. For instance, if you learn that the last controller left because of conflicts with the CFO, try to glean additional details about the nature of the disagreements without seeming too pushy. You may also want to elicit any concerns the interviewer has about your qualifications. This information will give you an edge in tailoring your follow-up communications and preparing for subsequent interviews.
Address needs. Conducting research about a prospective employer is the best way to discover the organization’s current challenges and how you can meet their needs. If you found that the firm is trying to enhance its compliance efforts, for example, be prepared to describe the compliance plan you’ve spearheaded in your current position. Or, if the interviewer is looking for someone skilled in mergers and acquisitions, play up your experience in that area.
Although it’s true that it takes more than a successful interview to land a senior-level financial position, it’s also true that a poor showing could thwart your prospects. But by preparing thoroughly and carefully managing impressions, you’ll make the most of your window of opportunity.
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