The document provides 11 tips from executive recruiters for acing an executive-level job interview. The tips advise candidates to (1) thoroughly research the company and role, (2) understand the hiring manager's needs and how they align with the role, and (3) come prepared with multiple examples that demonstrate skills and achievements. Overall, the recruiters emphasize the importance of being exceptionally well-prepared and treating the interview seriously to impress the client and increase chances of getting the job.

1. Executive Recruiters Reveal
TOP TIPS TO TRIUMPH
IN AN INTERVIEW

2. Succeeding in your executive
interview is the final step to
landing your ideal senior level role.
You only get one chance to
impress, but how exactly do you
do that?

3. We asked experienced
executive recruiters to
share their key tips
for interviews to give
candidates an ‘inside
track’…
*Source: “The Executive Job Search: Candidate and Recruiter
Perspectives Revealed”

4. Do your research around who
you are meeting, the company
and the role.
TOP TIP
#1
“A candidate that doesn’t prepare tends to get dismissed by the client.”

5. Put yourself in the mind-set
of the client and say what it is
they want. How do you address
the need the recruiter or client
has set?
TOP TIP
#2
“If you haven’t got the ingredients for the cake, you won’t be asked to make it.”

6. Don’t over prepare - on rare
occasions you get some that
prepare too much and only
spend their time showing what
they’ve learned.
TOP TIP
#3
“Use the interview as an opportunity to learn more about the role.”

7. Take it seriously - treat meetings
with a recruiter as a real
interview. A lot of candidates
come in for a specific job and act
far too casually.
TOP TIP
#4
“If we don't get the impression that they are appropriate to our client then we
won't put them forward.”

8. Make sure you have understood
the job description. Be aware of
what points you want to get
across and have more than one
example prepared.
TOP TIP
#5
“Be yourself – but be prepared.”

9. Know what your achievements
are. Talk about facts such as how
many people you’ve managed -
things that demonstrate your
skills.
TOP TIP
#6
“Speak about yourself, not about the team.”

10. Be honest; tell them what you’ve
done. If there are gaps or things
that need to be brought to light,
then do so.
TOP TIP
#7
“Don’t try and oversell anything.”

11. Be adaptive in your approach.
Some like brief small talk while
others prefer a more in-depth
approach.
TOP TIP
#8
“The ability to change your approach is important”

12. Show a high level of
professionalism and willingness.
TOP TIP
#9
“Expectations of clients are much higher now and they are not prepared to take
risks and aren’t afraid to wait for the right candidates.”

13. Keep calm - don’t get thrown off
by awkward personal questions.
Preparing for odd questions is an
advantage.
TOP TIP
#10
“HR departments like to ask odd questions like ‘if you could be a colour, what
would you be?’”

14. Be forward thinking and listen.
Conciseness. Clarity. Confidence.
TOP TIP
#11
“If you aren't prepared enough then someone else will be.”

15. “Candidates must avoid a
mind-set of just needing
to turn up and answer
questions
- at senior level, they
need to be exceptionally
well prepared”

16. Thanks for reading,
Steve Nicholls
Managing Director
Executive Connexions Ltd.
www.executiveconnexions.co.uk
Copyright © 2015 Executive Connexions Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Get prepared:
1. Download your copy of our free independent research report:
The Executive Job Search: Candidate and Recruiter Perspectives Revealed
2. Read more executive career advice here: www.executiveconnexions.co.uk