Interview with CEO

[newbud 7]

Hi all,

I want some suggestions regarding the final interview with the CEO / owner of the company.

I qualified for a phone interview of 15 min, then for a face-to-face interview which lasted for around 2 hours including a test. At the end of the interview I got to know from the expression of manager that she was interested in me. She is the project manager looking for new employees and shortlisted me so obviously wants to hire me.

Today I got to know that I have to appear for final interview this week and I am pretty nervous. I am informed that I am one of the finalists to be interviewed same day and then a decision will be made. The interview will last 30 min. All the personality related questions have been asked in the second round and test is being taken so I think it will be just talk with the owner.

This is a dream job I have been looking for so long.

Is the CEO involved in finalizing the list process before taking the final interview means does he already know about us before taking final round or it's a hit and miss basis?

Please share your experience about clearing final round of interview with CEO.

Edited July 29, 2014 by newbud

[Brit Abroad 166]

You've obviously passed the "screening" elements of the interview process, now it's about you as an employee.

What can you bring to the company? Where do you picture yourself in 5 years time? Do you have any unique skills that you bring, or are you interested in pursuing training (either corporately sponsored or self-financed) that would develop you further as an employee? Do you know exactly what the company's overall business is? Are you interested in how they see the company developing? What promotion prospects can they offer you in the short and long term? What is their stance on vacation and length-of-employment related vacation?

Think about the kind of questions and answers that YOU would be looking for if you were the interviewer. Other than that, be prepared. Good luck with your final interview.

Edited July 29, 2014 by Brit Abroad

[newbud 7]

Thanks for the reply Brit.

Do you think he already went through the profiles of all finalists or he will go through in front of us?

This is his company so I think he had been part of the process of deciding the finalists even though he was not there in the second round.

Also, he is coming from Washington to interview all finalists.

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi all,

I want some suggestions regarding the final interview with the CEO / owner of the company.

I qualified for a phone interview of 15 min, then for a face-to-face interview which lasted for around 2 hours including a test. At the end of the interview I got to know from the expression of manager that she was interested in me. She is the project manager looking for new employees and shortlisted me so obviously wants to hire me.

Today I got to know that I have to appear for final interview this week and I am pretty nervous. I am informed that I am one of the finalists to be interviewed same day and then a decision will be made. The interview will last 30 min. All the personality related questions have been asked in the second round and test is being taken so I think it will be just talk with the owner.

This is a dream job I have been looking for so long.

Is the CEO involved in finalizing the list process before taking the final interview means does he already know about us before taking final round or it's a hit and miss basis?

Please share your experience about clearing final round of interview with CEO.

Congrats on breezing through the screening!

Here are the hits when you do a google search using the search terms "job interview with CEO": https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1ASUT_enSG438SG438&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=job+interview+with+CEO

I personally find Business Insider's articles helpful and give informative employers' insights for job hunters. Good luck!

[newbud 7]

Congrats on breezing through the screening!

Here are the hits when you do a google search using the search terms "job interview with CEO": https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1ASUT_enSG438SG438&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=job+interview+with+CEO

I personally find Business Insider's articles helpful and give informative employers' insights for job hunters. Good luck!

Thanks!

[gwenstar 66]

Do you think he already went through the profiles of all finalists or he will go through in front of us?

First off - everything Brit said.

As far as profiles - this really depends on the person, how busy they are, and what they are looking for in this interview. Like what Brit said earlier, this would be more focused on what you would be like as an employee - so whether they went through the profile before or will go through it with you isn't something to be nervous about.

I am not a CEO/Owner however I have experience hiring people. A lot of what I am looking for is interpersonal skills, demeanor, how well they communicate even when they may be nervous in an interview. I also like to casually discuss their skills that are on the resume that have been evaluated by whatever job specific tests. Sometimes a person might look really great on paper, but when I speak to them I can see that they may not be as comfortable with job related skills as it might have seemed from their resume. Or maybe a person who may not have done as well in other areas of the screening process may be really charismatic and I can see they would be a good match for the environment - sometimes that can be more important than having more "qualifications" than the other candidates. Can't think of better way to word this but....I generally feel that it is easier to teach a skill than it is to modify personality traits.

Basically what I am saying is that it sounds like you are very qualified for this job skills wise and they like you so they want to make sure that you are good match long term for their company. Meeting with an owner is a good thing because it shows that the owner is invested in their business and want to bring people in who are also invested in helping the company succeed. I recommend doing research about the company and have a question or two ready to ask the owner like the ones Brit mentioned. Even if it is something small, it shows that you are very interested in this job and this company and not just looking for any job to get your bills paid.

Be yourself - be comfortable and confident with all the info on your resume/profile and you will do great! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[newbud 7]

First off - everything Brit said.

As far as profiles - this really depends on the person, how busy they are, and what they are looking for in this interview. Like what Brit said earlier, this would be more focused on what you would be like as an employee - so whether they went through the profile before or will go through it with you isn't something to be nervous about.

I am not a CEO/Owner however I have experience hiring people. A lot of what I am looking for is interpersonal skills, demeanor, how well they communicate even when they may be nervous in an interview. I also like to casually discuss their skills that are on the resume that have been evaluated by whatever job specific tests. Sometimes a person might look really great on paper, but when I speak to them I can see that they may not be as comfortable with job related skills as it might have seemed from their resume. Or maybe a person who may not have done as well in other areas of the screening process may be really charismatic and I can see they would be a good match for the environment - sometimes that can be more important than having more "qualifications" than the other candidates. Can't think of better way to word this but....I generally feel that it is easier to teach a skill than it is to modify personality traits.

Basically what I am saying is that it sounds like you are very qualified for this job skills wise and they like you so they want to make sure that you are good match long term for their company. Meeting with an owner is a good thing because it shows that the owner is invested in their business and want to bring people in who are also invested in helping the company succeed. I recommend doing research about the company and have a question or two ready to ask the owner like the ones Brit mentioned. Even if it is something small, it shows that you are very interested in this job and this company and not just looking for any job to get your bills paid.

Be yourself - be comfortable and confident with all the info on your resume/profile and you will do great! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Thanks for excellent suggestions!

[CowBoE 429]

If you come this far, it's a very good sign obviously. Now its your job to lose.

In some countries its a turn off to be too confident,

but in US, the culture is very outgoing and you need to sell yourself somewhat.

So...

- be confident without being arrogant

- speak firmly but concisely (don't turn a short answer into a life long story)

- speak to your experience and achievements in quantitative manner as much as possible

i.e., I did this and that doesn't give the scope and impact of the work.

Its better to say I did this for this much budget which improved performance by that much, etc.

- don't sit there nervously and just answer questions

interview is bi-directional. you should ask "good" questions about the company

and the job responsibilities. show your interest this way.

this means you should do a lot of research on the company ahead of time.

- lastly after the interview thank them in person, and with a follow up email.

[newbud 7]

I want to inform everyone that I got the job.

Thanks all for your replies.

The CEO was very nice man, I had final interview yesterday and got the offer letter today.

Lets hope all the drug and background tests go well and finally I start working.

[TBoneTX 45,234]

Fabulous news! Congratulations!!!!!