Interviewing for senior-level jobs is a skill that can be learned like any other skill. Once you master how to interview for senior-level jobs, interviews it becomes a piece of cake as you know what to do and what to say. Below you will find some of the critical do’s and don’ts when interviewing for a senior-level job interview.
Do’s for the Senior Level Job Interview
Be prepared and have a game plan
Have a plan before the interview in terms of knowing about the role and the company. Also, try to think of the kind of questions you might be asked.
Dress like a senior-level candidate
If you do not dress like a senior-level candidate, you will not be perceived as a senior-level leader.
Know how to answer the most common interview questions
About 50% of questions on a senior level interview are going to be common interview questions. You must learn these questions and how to answer them the right way.
Know your work history
You must know your career history and accomplishments as in almost every senior-level interview, they will ask you about your work history.
Ask good questions
When asked if you have any questions, make sure you ask intelligent questions that show your knowledge about the company and the role.
When doing a zoom or steaming interview, make sure your computer works!
If you have a zoom or other streaming interview, make sure you test your computer and streaming service to make sure the technology works.
Interview like a senior-level candidate
Senior-level candidates usually will have the experience to answer questions with more sophistication than less experienced candidates.
When doing a phone interview, make sure your phone works!
Before having a phone interview make sure your phone works, and you have a good connection, so there will be no technical problems during the interview.
Practice makes perfect
To ensure you interview well practice interviewing until you are sure you are ready for the actual interview.
Know your major achievements
As achievements sell you as a candidate, it is essential you know your key achievements and accomplishments.
Know info on the company you are interviewing for
Make sure you research the company you are interviewing for so you can answer questions about the company if asked.
Research the interviewers
If you have the names of the people interviewing you look them up on LinkedIn. This information will give you some intel on them that you may be able to use in the interview.
Know info on the role you are interviewing for
Before the interview, go over the job description as you most likely will be asked questions based on the job description.
Maintain good eye contact
Make sure you maintain good eye contact with all the people who are interviewing you. This will make you seem engaged to all the interviewers.
Know how to turn a negative into a positive
When asked about a negative, you can tell the interviewer about the quality that you worked on, and it is now positive. This technique will show you can work on yourself and turn negatives into positives.
Believe in yourself
Believe in yourself and all you have accomplished as a leader. If you do not believe in yourself, the interviewers will not find value in you as an applicant.
Be relaxed
If you seem not relaxed during the interview, you will appear to be a leader who does not handle pressure well, and it might prevent you from being hired.
Be positive
Everyone likes positive people who are not negative; therefore, be positive in your words during the interview.
Make sure you have good posture
Maintain proper posture and body language during the interviewer. Most people perceive leaders to have good body langue and posture, so you should as well.
Sell them on your achievements
Make sure you sell the interviewers on your significant achievements, as this will sell you to them as a great candidate.
Don’ts for Senior Level Job Interview
Do not come late
Never come late for any interview as most interviewers will most likely not move you forward. To make sure you are on time, give yourself plenty of time when traveling for an interview.
Do not be causal
If you appear to be casual with the interviewers, they will not perceive you to be a senior-level candidate.
Do not be overbearing
Many leaders tend to have type-A personalities, but if you come across as too overbearing and aggressive, you might not get the role as no one likes to be around that kind of person.
Do not be unprofessional
Leaders are supposed to be professional in words, actions, and speech. If any of these appear to beunprofessional, you will not land the role.
Do not be phony
No one likes insincerity, and most interviewers will tell if you are acting phony during the interview. Therefore, make sure you are yourself during the interview.
Do not be boring
If you ramble on during your interview or speak in a manner that is not interesting, you might lose your chances of landing your next role.
Do not be defensive
Do not appear to be defensive during the interview, even when being interviewed by a tough hiring manager. The reason is it makes you look like you cannot handle the pressure.
Do not seem unconfident
Most hiring managers view leadership and senior-level roles with a person who has confidence. Therefore, make sure you are confident during your interview.
Do not interview like a non-leader
If you interview like a non-leader, the interviewers will have a hard time buying into you for senior-level jobs.
Do not wear strong cologne or perfume
Strong cologne or perfume can make it hard for people to breathe and even cough. It is important to smell good but, at the same time, not overdo the cologne or perfume.
Do not have negative facial expressions
During your interview, be cognitive of your facial expressions. Make sure you maintain positive facial expressions like a smile as no expression or a frown will make you appear miserable.
Do not bring up anything negative
It is well-advised that during your interview that you do not bring up anything negative about people you have worked with or any other negative situation.
Do not bring up irrelevant information
Hiring managers are busy people and are only interested in the relevant information. Do not waste their time by going off-topic.
Do not be dishonest
Always be honest during your interview, as many experienced hiring managers will figure out if you are not telling the truth. Also, background checks can find out dishonesty.
Do not say I do not know
When answering a question instead of saying you do not know something, it is better to say you have experiences in something similar to what they are asking for.
Do not bring up money
Do not bring up money during an interview as it will make you look money-focused as opposed to job-focused.
Do not overuse hand movements
If you tend to use lots of hand movements, try to limit that during the interview as it can be distracting for the people interviewing you.
Do not forget the interviewers names
A very embarrassing thing for you to do during an interview is to forget the names of the people who are interviewing you.
Do not forget copies of your resume
Bringing copies of your professional executive resume is an excepted norm. Not to bring copies of your resume can make you appear not organized.
Do not leave your cellphone on
Always remember to turn your cellphone off before your interview. If your phone rings, you will appear to be rude and unprofessional.
