Selecting an executive is not an easy task. The recruiter as well as the client company must be sure you are the best fit for the proposed role and check if you view this as a medium to long-term move, so the process might take several steps (and weeks until completion). Usually, your first meeting is with a recruiter, followed by the hiring manager, and one or more with senior leaders of the company, but their goal is the same – getting to know you better.

However, the best approach is to treat every single phase as the first one. Here’s why: in order to remain objective, interviewers often refrain from exchanging their thoughts until the very end of the process. Each phase is a fresh start so use it in your advantage following our advice:

1. Bring the same enthusiasm and energy to the final round as you did to the first. Keep motivated, regardless of whether you had a successful previous phase or a bad one.

2. Make sure you know exactly what to expect from each phase, who you will be meeting, and their titles, to help you tailor your selling pitch according to it. For example, second round interviews represent a great opportunity to clarify any areas of concern.

3. Don’t assume they already know the answer. Reiterate key points that make you a great fit for the role even if it seems repetitive. Keep your answers concise and professional. If behavioral questions are prevalent, it would be useful to already have prepared examples of stories using STAR method to correspond your skills and qualities to the job’s specifications.

4. Don’t forget it is also an opportunity to get to know the company better and the people you are going to work with, so ask questions and show you are engaged and curious. By meeting a different range of people, you can confirm the team’s a great fit or uncover any discrepancies.

All these phases are meant to make not only the organization sure that you are the perfect match, but also to make you confident that the opportunity is the best match for your career objectives when finally signing the contract.

When entering a multi-stage interview process, it’s essential to possess a strong sense of organization, patience, resilience, and concentration. Develop a habit of taking thorough notes following each discussion. Reflect on your performance after each phase and compile a practical list of targeted preparatory or research assignments.

By presenting yourself as a well-prepared, adaptable, and motivated candidate who consistently fulfills the requirements of each interview stage, gets you closer to signing the offer.

This article is part of a series of article meant to support candidates in their career change process. To view the previous article, click here.

For reading the following article, click here.