Senior interview preparation: how to perform when it matters
Simon Benson · Director, Wilson Grey · 2 min read
At a senior level, interviews aren’t just about answering questions. They’re about demonstrating how you think, how you operate, and how you’ll perform in the role.
Most candidates prepare for interviews the same way, but the expectations at this level are different. You’re being assessed on judgement, communication, and how you handle pressure - not just experience.
Preparation
- Research the company (what they do, in the news, funding, headcount, research the interviewer on LinkedIn, any international presence)
- Go over the JD in detail - and know why you are applying, clients love to ask 'why us?'
- Ask the recruiter any questions you have at all
- Think of examples of similar duties/responsibilities/tasks you've done before that are relevant to the role
- Research the industry sector and know your reasons why you want to work in it
Performance
- Be friendly and positive
- Remember to listen as well as speak
- Be presentable
- Be prepared to sell yourself into the role and the company
- Be prepared with questions about the role and the company. An example of a good question to ask at the end is "do you have any reservations at this stage about my application?"
Task / Presentation / Role Play
- Review as soon as you receive it so you know how long to allocate to do it
- Practice (if a roleplay)
- Make sure you're in a quiet place with good signal/wifi if it's not face to face
- Be prepared to take notes
If your next stage is being run remotely, it’s also worth thinking about how you come across on video.