Executive Presence Checklist Ten Factors That Recruiters Assess

Executive Presence Checklist: Ten Factors That Recruiters Assess At a workshop I led on interviewing for executives, one participant requested about what “executive presence” actually means. Is there a checklist of things that recruiters use to evaluate this? Do you have to be particularly clever, witty or humorous in your communication? What can a job seeker do to make sure they're seen as having executive presence? The time period, govt presence, is thrown about virtually as liberally as the word “match” within the hiring process, and like the amorphous “fit” government presence can mean different things to totally different folks. However, generally, a person with govt presence is someone that the employer would really feel confident placing in front of senior executives (internally or at shoppers). Here are 10 components that recruiters assess to approximate a candidate’s executive presence â€" ideally you rating well on all of these: Greeting Do you make solid eye contact? Is your handshake firm? Do you exude energy and confiden ce right from the start? The interview (and the assessment) begins before you’re even within the official meeting room. Even scheduling the interview offers a sign of how organized and responsive you might be. When you appear put-together from the beginning, the recruiter takes you significantly from the beginning, and also you arrange the right first impression to attain nicely on executive presence. Posture Executive presence isn't just about good posture initially…however constantly. Make certain you'll be able to walk and sit through the entire interview with out slouching, sitting too casually, or leaning ahead too aggressively. People with executive presence are poised. If you normally slouch, you most likely will slouch at some point within the interview process. Fix your posture all the time â€" don’t count on the interviews being an exception to how you normally comport yourself. Appropriate gown Notice that I didn’t write enterprise gown â€" govt presence isn't abo ut dressing in a swimsuit, but dressing appropriately for the trade and the occasion. Executive presence means you're neat and well-groomed, however a go well with may be too stiff (say for a inventive position at a media company or in lots of expertise firms). I had one candidate who wearing a go well with when he was meeting operations folks at a manufacturing facility. While the suite might have been ignored for a gathering at headquarters, it made him stand out in a adverse way at the manufacturing unit â€" the operations folks didn’t really feel like he really understood their culture, and that was a key a part of this position. Small speak In an interview scenario, there isn't any such thing as small talk â€" every thing contributes to the overall impression you allow behind (and whether or not you exude government presence). I once offered an otherwise very proficient candidate for a advertising analytics role but, except for particular interview questions the place she was totally ready, she didn’t make any small speak or conversational banter with the interviewer earlier than or after the interview or whereas they had been touring the office. The interviewer saw this as a personality deficit and apprehensive it would translate into how nicely this individual would get along with team members and shoppers. Small discuss looms massive when assessing for govt presence. Gestures At the same time, you don’t wish to be so animated that you gesture wildly. Executive presence means you don’t fidget, and gesticulations complement quite than detract from what you’re saying. Think of the senior people you realize â€" they’re not leaping up and down to make a degree! Ease I could have written confidence as a substitute of ease, but sometimes individuals equate confidence with huge energy or a big persona, and govt presence isn’t reserved only for individuals with massive personalities. Instead, concentrate on being genuine to who you are â€" this mi ght imply big energy should you’re more of an extrovert, nevertheless it may additionally mean a quiet energy. This may imply that you just reveal a clever wit â€" humor just isn't essentially good or unhealthy. But most importantly government presence means you show that you just’re snug as who you're. Tone/ inflection Other than small discuss, I haven’t even began but with verbal communication, but in fact, how you communicate does influence your govt presence. Your tone of voice should be clear and engaging. This means you've a pleasing cadence to your voice, not a monotone. Volume Your speaking volume additionally influences your government presence. It can’t be so low that individuals can’t hear you, but you also don’t need to shout. Pacing The speed at which you talk issues to executive presence â€" not too fast, not too gradual. Track document Finally, govt presence is evaluated based on how you current your self within the interview, but it can be inferred by you r previous experience. If you could have frequently worked with senior executives, then your previous experience suggest that you are in all probability comfy engaging at that degree, and senior people don’t mind having you around (otherwise, you wouldn’t have these opportunities!). Therefore, don’t forget to speak about your govt-degree experience. This could possibly be internally with senior administration, or it might be externally with shoppers and even distributors. You may also have govt interplay in your group service â€" perhaps you’re on a volunteer committee and interface with Board members who are current or retired executives. Share examples of your govt interactions as proof of a monitor document of government presence. Executive presence is not so subjective that you could’t prepare or follow to showcase it. Use the above guidelines of items to see which areas you're confident about and where you would possibly want some help. When in doubt, do a mock interv iew with a coach or mentor (someone who has employed and truly evaluated for executive presence!). This will identify strengths you might not understand you have (and may build on), in addition to gaps where you’ll need to refine. A model of this submit originally appears in my Leadership column on Forbes.com. Our FREE job search mini-course is out there now! Register HERE to get the course delivered proper to your inbox. This is awesome.What each green graduate have to make him or her match into the job market. It’s very disheartening to look earlier than a panel for an interview in excessive spirit only to find out that you are ill-geared up for what's at stake. Thank you. I’m so glad the publish resonated. Thank you for writing in! This is awesome.What each green graduate must make her or him fit into the job market. It’s very disheartening to seem earlier than a panel for an interview in excessive spirit solely to seek out out that you are ill-equipped for what's at stak e. Thank you. I’m so glad the submit resonated. Thank you for writing in!