How would you prepare? High stakes final interview
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Anonymous
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Sorry if the question seems pedestrian, but I’m going into the final round of interviewing for a job I’d really like, and it’s a new (to me) situation.
I’ve breezed through the first two rounds of this new role, and they’re flying me in for a panel interview and dinner with the team managers. The role sits in a small division but is high visibility with a large component being executive advisory. I will be meeting with members of the executive leadership team for the interview, along with my potential future managers. This role and move would be a significant jump for me. I know they’re assessing my presentation and communication styles, considering fit, and evaluating my capacity to do the job - but what am I not thinking about? If you’ve been in such a situation, how did you prepare and what helped you seal the deal? I’m not foolish enough to think this is “just a formality.” |
Anonymous
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Remember that communication style means a lot of things. Do you seem like someone who can listen or are you constantly interrupting. Do you add value to conversation or are you just saying things to be heard speaking. Did what you are wearing make you stand out in a good way or did you just blend in. Are you able to transfer knowledge from one point to another. What can you convey about yourself or your philosophy that will help.
Executives want people who can grow, learn, and advise which includes telling them No. |
Anonymous
| Rapport is critical. Personality fit huge. Being a seasoned professional who can lead. Competency with strong experience in field. Also, being relaxed and comfortable in your skin. |
Anonymous
| Also. Everyone has had to make a professional jump even those who are interviewing you. So don’t let that discourage you. |
Anonymous
| I'd shoot up some extra testosterone and some ketamine. |
Anonymous
| Table manners. Firm handshake. Order wisely. |
Anonymous
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I’m on a hiring committee for an executive position, and one thing that’s struck me is how useful it is when candidates reiterate portions of their résumé now that it’s the final round. We’ve interviewed a lot of candidates, some of them twice or even three times, and I don’t remember all of the materials. So I don’t consider it bad or bragging to bring up the past examples.
I agree that rapport is important, but don’t try too hard Practice your answers and talking points repeatedly, even if you don’t know what the questions are. Have a friend practice with you you in person or over Zoom and give you feedback, including interrupting you to reframe answers, be more concise, or avoid negativity. Good luck!! |
Anonymous
Thank you! Is it still recommended to bring printed copies of my resume or is that too much? I’m nervous and overwhelmed, really appreciate the advice on this thread! |
Anonymous
Executive presence is a big part of what they are looking for. But also just "fit." Come ready with some neutral but interesting-ish stories if talk turns to personal life (travel, family, where you grew up, holiday plans, etc). So that you seem like a somewhat open and conversational person. I'm sure you're already covered on all the work/leadership anecdotes and substantive expertise from prepping for earlier interview rounds. Make sure all the elements of your attire (coat etc) are professional if you're flying out to a different climate and don't do that much work travel or dinners in your regular job. Also I always look at the menu beforehand online so I don't have to spend time on that in person. |
Anonymous
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As someone who has been to final three for C level type roles around 25 times I dont even prepare much anymore .
Why? Well if you make it to final 3 where you meeting with whole board panlel type you already cleared the big interveiws. They have narrowed it down in many cases to three fully qualified peeople. Often I find one person of three blows the interview. Being late, stain on tie, saying wrong thing. For example the Head of Risk Management interview who showed up soaking wet as caught in rain who admitted he forgot to check weather or bring an umbrellas. Almost funny to listen to him talk about his risk management skills. But at final level it is often simply fit. Or often pre-decided. For example they want someone young, a women, someone seasoned, someone diverse, someone not diverse. Who knows? As loan as I did not blow it and I showed up on time, prepared, good suit it is what it is. On the 25 times I landed it 7 times. 3 I turned down and four I took. Two I made a mess of on my own. 4-6 were dog and pony shows, they already had the candicate selected but needed three final candidates. I was only there so they can say there were three. My favorite one was they had a long search and only had two to go to board. A few days before that I applied on line of all things. I got a call immediately to interview the next morning. I ran over met with HR, CFO and Head of Legal. Who told me final interviews with full board in two days can I make it. I was like well I am working on a big client, but I can run over to do it not an issue. I had 12 people inteviewing me in a big board room for one hour. I was cool, calm and collected. Telling jokes, relaxed, winging it. I though it was crazy. Turns out I got job and took it. So you never know. I think bar was lower for me than others as whole board. So dont stress. |
Anonymous
| You’ve received really good advice here. If you’ve made it this far, you are obviously a strong candidate congratulations! Is the recruiter or whoever is handling you ‘keeping you warm?’ Meaning are they in touch? If so that’s a solid recruiting approach - use it to your advantage - if you get the chance, ask them - ‘looking forward to meeting everyone, do you have any advice for me ahead of the meetings?’ - a solid exec recruiter will Always help - they might tell you who is low key, who is inquisitive, their personalities, who tends to run late, how they interview etc. good luck! |
Anonymous
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Just relax and try to click with them.
Have some charming stories, banter. Think talk show |
Anonymous
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If you have made it this far then this will be about fit and there is probably very little you can do at this point. That’s actually a good thing, because it means you can be yourself (the sharpest and most engaged version of yourself) and just relax and let it be.
I also like the advice to reiterate a couple key or important things from your background. Don’t force it, but drop it in as it comes up. Show that you remember names and important details about people. Research them beforehand on LinkedIn if you need to. |