An interview for a senior position can be a lengthy and intimidating prospect with some in-depth and complex questions asked. Here are our top interview tips to ensure you get the job…
Research the company –
you may be asked a range of questions about the company you are interviewing for. What do you know about the company? How you perceive its position in its industry? Who are the firm’s competitors? In a pivotal/leadership role, you’ll be expected to show how would you improve the business, so understanding how they operate is even more important.
Know your selling points –
remember to have a few key selling points (an angle!) in mind with respect to what makes you the best applicant for the position and have examples in mind – ensure they are clear and concise. Have a look at the job spec and make sure your selling points marry up with it.
Know why you want that job and why you find it interesting –
make sure you get this across. It will help you stand out as someone who is very interested in the job.
Understand your interviewer’s concerns –
why might your hiring manager not want to hire you? By understanding this you can prepare a defence.
Prepare for the common interview questions –
a few we have included below –
- Hiring managers usually ask if you have any questions, so you should always have a couple of well thought out ones ready to go.
- Prepare for “behaviour-based” questions – a very common interview style today is to ask people for examples to demonstrate behaviours that the company thinks are important to the role. Examples being – making unpopular decisions, displaying persistence, or making decisions under pressure. Anticipate the behaviours the hiring manager is likely to be looking for. Identify an example of when you demonstrated that behaviour. Prepare a story for each example.
Practice the interview –
repeating what you might say in an interview out loud is better than doing it in your head! You can do this with a family member, friend or recording yourself!
Watch your body language –
it goes without saying, dress appropriately, make a reasonable amount of eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture and speak clearly.
Push your references –
Are they on LinkedIn or on the CV? Highlight your recent managers or C level execs that are ready to provide a glowing reference and add to your application backdrop. Others likely won’t, and a hiring manager is going to be comforted by the fact they are readily available.
Make a great first impression –
studies show people make up their mind early and then often look to confirm their bias. You have a few minutes to ensure that’s a positive bias they are working from. So be smart, on time, energetic and enthusiastic!
Think positively –
it’s best to steer clear of previous negative experiences in an interview. In the off chance an interviewer asks: “What did you like least about that previous job?” Reply with something like: “actually I’ve found something about all of my jobs that I’ve liked.” and give an example.
End the interview on a positive note –
if you like the job, tell the interviewer that you were excited about it before the interview and are even more excited now. It could make the difference between you and another candidate. If in sales – try and close the hiring manager, and lastly – always send a follow up email!