How to Prepare for an Executive Interview
To prepare for an executive interview, research the business as if you already had the job, bring three to five results you can back with numbers, prepare a clear view of what you would do in your first 90 days, and write questions that show judgment. Executive interviews test how you think and communicate as much as what you have done.
How is an executive interview different?
At the executive level, everyone in the room assumes you have the skills. They are deciding whether they trust you to lead their people and their money. That means clear thinking, specific results, good questions and a presence that would work in front of a board, a customer or a workforce.
What should you research before an executive interview?
- The company's strategy, recent news, competitors and financial position, as far as it is public.
- The people interviewing you: their backgrounds and what they are likely to care about.
- Why the role is open, and what happened to the last person in it.
- The problems the business is most likely trying to solve with this hire.
How should you talk about your results?
Pick three to five results that match what this company needs. For each one: the situation, what you personally did, and the result in numbers. Revenue, margin, cost, retention, safety, whatever fits. Say "I" for what you did and "we" for what the team did, and be honest about which is which.
What questions should you ask in an executive interview?
- What does success look like in this role after the first year?
- What is the biggest obstacle the person in this role will face?
- How does the leadership team make decisions and handle disagreement?
- Why did the last person in this role leave, or why is it new?
How should you prepare for a video interview?
Treat it like an in-person interview. Test your camera, sound and light ahead of time, look at the camera when you speak, and keep answers tight. At Riderflex, finalists interview on video with a current C-level executive, and clients watch those interviews, so how you come across on video matters.
Where can you get help preparing?
Steve Urban wrote The Riderflex Guide 2.0: Mastering Job Interviews (2023) for exactly this, and Riderflex candidate services include interview coaching and career support. The Riderflex Podcast also has episodes on interview questions and negotiating job offers.
Watch: advice for job candidates from the Riderflex Podcast
On The Riderflex Podcast: Inspiring & Hiring, Kathleen Steffey, CEO and founder of Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search with more than 23 years in recruiting, shares practical advice for job candidates and hiring managers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for an executive interview?
Research the business as if you already had the job, prepare three to five results with numbers, have a view of your first 90 days, and bring questions that show judgment.
What questions are asked in an executive interview?
Expect questions about your results, how you lead and build teams, how you make hard decisions, why you are leaving your current role, and what you would do in your first 90 days.
Should I use a recruiter to find an executive job?
A good executive recruiter can open doors to roles that are never posted and help you prepare. Riderflex works with executive candidates across industries and offers interview coaching through its candidate services.
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Talk to Riderflex
Call (888) 964-5876, email info@riderflex.com, or start a conversation on our contact page. Riderflex is a boutique recruiting firm based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2013, serving employers nationwide.