What is an Executive Interview?
An Executive Interview is an interview — usually no more than 30 minutes — with a founder, executive, or upper manager at a company.
What should I expect during an Executive Interview?
Interviewing with a founder or executive is often similar to a combination of an initial phone screen, a technical phone screen, and a sales pitch. You’ll probably be asked the standard “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you want to work here?” questions. You’ll probably also hear a brief “sales pitch” for why you should join the company.
An interview with an executive or a founder is usually done so that leadership can have a final “sign-off” on the candidate before an offer is made. Be prepared to tell them about your background and why you’re a great fit for the role. These interviews usually aren’t technical in nature.
Executive interviews are also a great opportunity for you to learn more about the company, from someone who may have a better view inside of it than the other people involved in your hiring people. Have some questions ready to ask in case there’s time.
How does the size of the company affect this type of interview?
In startups and small companies, you may speak with the founder or another executive early on in your interview process because founders and executives at companies of these sizes are often also acting as recruiters and hiring managers.
If medium-sized companies involve the founder or executives in the hiring process, it’s usually toward the end or the very last interview you will have before you are extended an offer of employment.
It’s rare for large companies to require calls with executives as part of the interview process for independent contributor (IC) roles, though later in your career if you get into management, speaking with an executive during the interview process would be more likely.