Executive Interview Questions & Answers

Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Time-management skills
• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Decision-making skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Executive positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively. They must discuss issues, negotiate with others, direct staff, and explain policies and decisions to people outside the organization.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Decision-making skills

Why interviewers are interested in your decision-making skills:

When setting policies and managing an organization, top executives must be able to assess different options and choose the best course of action.

Leadership skills

Why interviewers are interested in your leadership skills:

Top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources.

Learn more about leadership interview questions and how to answer them!

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving  skills:

Top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization. They must be able to recognize shortcomings and carry out solutions.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

Time-management skills

Why interviewers are interested in your time-management skills:

Top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals.

Learn more about time-management interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Executive Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Executive Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Executive Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Give me an example of a time you had to motivate your staff. What did you do? What results did you get?
2. Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict in your team.
3. Give me an example that demonstrates your leadership style.
4. If you were hired, what would you want to accomplish within your first year of employment?
5. Describe a time you implemented a new strategy to increase employee performance and company revenue.
6. Give me an example of how you approach an underperforming employee. What would you do to improve performance?
7. What is your strategy to reward employees for successful performance? Can you give an example of individual and group effort acknowledgment?
8. Tell me about the metrics you think are most important for conducting a performance evaluation.
9. What is the most difficult situation you have encountered as an executive in your career?
10. What would be your strategy to help improve workplace culture? Can you give me an example?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.