Preparing for the Executive Interview

Cristina Sacco

Preparing for an executive interview is both exciting and stressful.

Securing an executive-level position is a significant career milestone. It’s the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and expertise in your field. However, reaching this stage also means facing a rigorous executive interview process. Executives often find themselves in the hot seat, with intense scrutiny from hiring managers and recruiting teams.

To help you navigate this challenging journey, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for an executive interview and excel.

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Pre-Interview Preparation 

Take the Time to Prepare Well 

Preparing for an executive interview is not a task that can be rushed. Dedicate ample time to get yourself ready. Rushing through the preparation process can lead to missed opportunities to showcase your skills and fit for the role. Start well in advance to give yourself the edge.

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Targeting Your Pre-Interview Research 

If you’re interviewing for a company that offers a product or service, it’s essential to understand what they offer and, if possible, experience it firsthand. This demonstrates your commitment to the role and your genuine interest in the company’s success. It’s a strategic move that can set you apart from other candidates.

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Researching the Hiring Manager and Recruiting Team 

In today’s digital age, information is readily available. Take advantage of this and research not only the company but also the people who will be interviewing you. Familiarize yourself with the hiring manager’s background, their professional journey, and their leadership style. Understanding their preferences can help tailor your responses during the interview to align with their vision.

Analyzing the Job Description to Stand Out 

The job description is your roadmap to success in the interview. Read it carefully and identify the key skills and qualifications required for the role. Tailor your answers and anecdotes to showcase how your experience aligns with these requirements. Remember, standing out in an executive interview often hinges on your ability to demonstrate your unique value.

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The Executive Interview 

Executive Interview Questions 

Preparing for the most frequently asked interview questions will help you to feel relaxed and confident. Here are the top questions that are asked in an interview and how you can best prepare for them.

Tell Me About Yourself 

The infamous “Tell me about yourself” question is often the first curveball in executive interviews. Instead of diving into your life story, focus on the aspects of your professional journey that are most relevant to the position. Highlight key achievements, experiences, and skills that directly relate to the job.

Why Do You Want This Role? 

This question aims to uncover your motivation and alignment with the company’s mission. Craft your response by linking your personal and professional goals with the role and the organization’s vision. This is the perfect time to showcase your interest in the company by referencing the latest company news, or commenting on the future growth you see in this role.

What Is Your Leadership Style? 

When answering this question, showcase your leadership philosophy. Discuss your approach to guiding teams, making tough decisions, and driving innovation. Use concrete examples from your past experiences to support your claims.

How Do You Handle Conflict? 

Conflict resolution is a critical skill for executives. Describe a specific situation where you successfully resolved a conflict, emphasizing your ability to maintain professionalism and foster positive outcomes.

Memorable Interview Answers – Tell a Story 

To make your responses memorable, use the power of storytelling. Craft anecdotes that illustrate your abilities, challenges you’ve overcome, and results you’ve achieved. Stories are engaging and leave a lasting impression on interviewers.

Prepare Success Stories That Showcase Your Skills 

Success stories are your secret weapon. They allow you to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities. Develop a repertoire of stories that align with the job’s requirements and be ready to adapt them to different questions.

How to Respond to Questions You Are Not Prepared to Answer 

It’s possible you’ll encounter questions that catch you off guard. Instead of panicking, remain composed and transparent. Express your willingness to learn and adapt, and offer a thoughtful response based on your existing knowledge and problem-solving skills.

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End of the Interview 

Ask Follow-Up Questions 

Asking thoughtful questions at the end of the interview demonstrates your interest and engagement. Inquire about the company’s future plans, the team you’ll be working with, or any specific challenges they’re facing. These questions showcase your commitment to making an informed decision about the role.

Closing the Interview 

End the interview on a positive note by expressing your enthusiasm for the position and your belief in its alignment with your career goals. Thank the interviewers for their time and reiterate your interest in moving forward in the selection process.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, preparing for an executive interview requires meticulous planning, in-depth research, and effective communication skills. By dedicating time to pre-interview preparation, mastering your responses to common questions, and leaving a lasting impression at the end of the interview, you can increase your chances of acing the interview and landing that coveted executive position. Remember, confidence, authenticity, and a well-crafted narrative are your keys to success in the executive interview room.

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

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“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
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“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

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“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

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“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

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“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

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“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

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“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

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“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

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“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

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Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

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Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
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“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

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Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

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Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

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The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

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Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

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Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

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Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

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“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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