Executive Interview Tips
When you apply for an executive post in an organization, you will be screened for various qualities. Your motivational skills, assertiveness, problem solving ability, decision making ability, ability to deal with pressure and to multi-task, all these skills will be tested during the interview.
Executive interviews are generally held over a lunch or dinner in a fairly informal environment.
Since you are applying for an executive post, you will be expected to display high standards of professionalism. Following are the interview tips for candidates applying for the post of an executive.
Presentation, punctuality and preparation are the three broad categories that you have to take care of while attending an executive interview.
Presentation
- Your physical presentation will mark your first impression. Wear a business suit for your interview. Interviewers start evaluating candidates the moment they enter the room. Hence, make it a point to dress smartly and impress the panelist.
- Always wear a smile on your face. It will positively contribute to your pleasing personality.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. This adds a dash of confidence to your replies.
- Keep a track of your nervous gestures. Looking at your watch continuously or fidgeting with your pen will send wrong signals to the interviewer.
- Remember your interviewers' names and pronounce them correctly.
Punctuality
Arrive at the venue at least 5-10 minutes early. Your punctuality will be noted. Meanwhile, avoid arriving earlier than 10 minutes. Waiting for more than 10 minutes, for either party, is not recommended.
Preparation
- Keep extra copies of your resume with you. You may be asked to hand out a copy of resume to each of the interviewers for their reference.
- Thoroughly research the company's features, standards, past performance and current news. Your overall knowledge about the company will be discussed.
- Have an idea about what is expected of you and what you expect of the company. You should be able to effectively articulate your expectations and voice your concerns to avoid any misunderstandings from either side.
- Keep your answers ready for questions regarding reasons to resign from the previous company, your current salary and expected pay package.
- Do not lie, even though you might be tempted to bend certain facts. Employers can easily verify your statements and lying will only destroy your image.
Other than the three P' s-Presentation, Punctuality and Preparation- these additional tips will help you to accentuate your candidature.
- A firm handshake communicates your interest and self confidence.
- Do not interrupt your interviewer. Let the interviewer complete his question. You will be given adequate time to explain yourself in a detailed manner.
- Carefully evaluate each question and provide specific answer. Try to understand what the employer wants to know from you. Avoid giving vague, absurd replies.
- Handle negative issues diplomatically. Do not launch into an aggressive argument if you do not agree with the interviewer.
- Remember that you may not be presented with an offer letter as soon as the interview is done. Interviewers take time to deliberate for such an important post.
- At the end of the interview, thank the panel for their time and consideration. Do not forget to mention your interest and how you can be an asset to the company.
- Finally, remember to send a thank you note to each of the interviewers. Mention the key sections of your interview and your qualities that will support the applied post.
