Preparing for a pre job interview meeting with a CEO
Discussion
Rights gents, just looking for some advise on how I could prepare for tomorrow.
I sent a speculative email to a CEO of FTSE100 company, saying how much I like their products etc., and would love the opportunity to work for them. To my amazement, he emailed me back within 2 hours, answering all my questions, and copied in his PA asking her to set up a meeting so we can "have a coffee".
So it's been about 2 months since we emailed, as this was the earliest date available.
Just unsure on how to prepare as it's not a job interview per say, but I would like it to lead to one. Know the company inside out, as well as researching him the best I can. Anything you'd bring up?
Thanks.
I sent a speculative email to a CEO of FTSE100 company, saying how much I like their products etc., and would love the opportunity to work for them. To my amazement, he emailed me back within 2 hours, answering all my questions, and copied in his PA asking her to set up a meeting so we can "have a coffee".
So it's been about 2 months since we emailed, as this was the earliest date available.
Just unsure on how to prepare as it's not a job interview per say, but I would like it to lead to one. Know the company inside out, as well as researching him the best I can. Anything you'd bring up?
Thanks.
What's your area of expertise? Client Service? Marketing?
I'm a CEO and I like to meet candidates - for me, it's about personal chemistry. Is the candidate more on broadcast or receive? Would customers like him/her? Would my team be enhanced by taking them on? etc etc
I like a reasonably knowledgable candidate, one who asks well informed questions and listens to the answers.
Does this help?
I'm a CEO and I like to meet candidates - for me, it's about personal chemistry. Is the candidate more on broadcast or receive? Would customers like him/her? Would my team be enhanced by taking them on? etc etc
I like a reasonably knowledgable candidate, one who asks well informed questions and listens to the answers.
Does this help?
Sound advice from NDA.....
I would add that the CEO is attempting to confirm the person in the email is the same as the person sitting in front of him. It is likely he will want to know how you got to where you are today and where you plan yourself on going and more crucially, how you are going to get there.
Whatever you mentioned in your email was obviously of interest to him and congratulations on securing a time to sit down with him.
It sounds like you are enthusiastic and knowledgeable of the company which are good things. I would be inclined to ask the CEO about certain products / decisions made with the long term view of the company - that stuff interests me a lot and it is always fascinating to hear the direction of a company from the horses mouth.
Chris
I would add that the CEO is attempting to confirm the person in the email is the same as the person sitting in front of him. It is likely he will want to know how you got to where you are today and where you plan yourself on going and more crucially, how you are going to get there.
Whatever you mentioned in your email was obviously of interest to him and congratulations on securing a time to sit down with him.
It sounds like you are enthusiastic and knowledgeable of the company which are good things. I would be inclined to ask the CEO about certain products / decisions made with the long term view of the company - that stuff interests me a lot and it is always fascinating to hear the direction of a company from the horses mouth.
Chris
This is similar to two interviews I have had for senior management positions. Except that the CEO's had found me on LinkedIn, rather than me having emailed them.
But the proposed forum was similar - they emailed asking for an informal chat, which we conducted in a local Hotel's Bar and a pub respectively.
Despite the fact that the words 'informal' and 'chat' are used - plus the choice of forum - make no mistake, this is not a time to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, and treat the meeting as 'casual.' In my experience (also having worked in recruitment) it is anything but.
I did a shed-load of research on the companies, their products, sales, goals and aspirations - as other posters have said - all of which can be done fairly easily now, on the net. I also phoned the companies a couple of times, posing as a prospective customer, just to get as much info as I could (possibly a wee bit naughty - but as has been said, 'who dares wins' and all that!)
I turned up at the 'informal chats' fully suited and booted, armed with a shed-load of information about the companies, and quite a few sensible, relevant questions too. And never be tempted to drink, even if the CEO does buy beers for himself!!
I got both the jobs
Good luck!
But the proposed forum was similar - they emailed asking for an informal chat, which we conducted in a local Hotel's Bar and a pub respectively.
Despite the fact that the words 'informal' and 'chat' are used - plus the choice of forum - make no mistake, this is not a time to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, and treat the meeting as 'casual.' In my experience (also having worked in recruitment) it is anything but.
I did a shed-load of research on the companies, their products, sales, goals and aspirations - as other posters have said - all of which can be done fairly easily now, on the net. I also phoned the companies a couple of times, posing as a prospective customer, just to get as much info as I could (possibly a wee bit naughty - but as has been said, 'who dares wins' and all that!)
I turned up at the 'informal chats' fully suited and booted, armed with a shed-load of information about the companies, and quite a few sensible, relevant questions too. And never be tempted to drink, even if the CEO does buy beers for himself!!
I got both the jobs
Good luck!
swerni said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
This is similar to two interviews I have had for senior management positions. Except that the CEO's had found me on LinkedIn, rather than me having emailed them.
But the proposed forum was similar - they emailed asking for an informal chat, which we conducted in a local Hotel's Bar and a pub respectively.
Despite the fact that the words 'informal' and 'chat' are used - plus the choice of forum - make no mistake, this is not a time to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, and treat the meeting as 'casual.' In my experience (also having worked in recruitment) it is anything but.
I did a shed-load of research on the companies, their products, sales, goals and aspirations - as other posters have said - all of which can be done fairly easily now, on the net. I also phoned the companies a couple of times, posing as a prospective customer, just to get as much info as I could (possibly a wee bit naughty - but as has been said, 'who dares wins' and all that!)
I turned up at the 'informal chats' fully suited and booted, armed with a shed-load of information about the companies, and quite a few sensible, relevant questions too. And never be tempted to drink, even if the CEO does buy beers for himself!!
I got both the jobs
Good luck!
WowBut the proposed forum was similar - they emailed asking for an informal chat, which we conducted in a local Hotel's Bar and a pub respectively.
Despite the fact that the words 'informal' and 'chat' are used - plus the choice of forum - make no mistake, this is not a time to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, and treat the meeting as 'casual.' In my experience (also having worked in recruitment) it is anything but.
I did a shed-load of research on the companies, their products, sales, goals and aspirations - as other posters have said - all of which can be done fairly easily now, on the net. I also phoned the companies a couple of times, posing as a prospective customer, just to get as much info as I could (possibly a wee bit naughty - but as has been said, 'who dares wins' and all that!)
I turned up at the 'informal chats' fully suited and booted, armed with a shed-load of information about the companies, and quite a few sensible, relevant questions too. And never be tempted to drink, even if the CEO does buy beers for himself!!
I got both the jobs
Good luck!
You were approached by two CEO's of FTSE100s?
You must be very very special,;)
They were CEO's of printing / publishing / marketing companies is all. I am not THAT elevated, lol!
swerni said:
OP said
I only know one CEO and that's NDA.
He only likes me cause I'm s
t at golf and he can beat me 
Gaahh, similar as in 'informal coffee type meeting...'Buzz Lightyear said:
I sent a speculative email to a CEO of FTSE100 company,
To which you said it was similar to two interviews you had I only know one CEO and that's NDA.
He only likes me cause I'm s
t at golf and he can beat me Now stop being a silly pedant!
Buzz Lightyear said:
Cheers gents.
Strangely nervous. Never nervous for this sort of thing.
I'll feedback later.
A more plausible explanation for the meeting is that a cereal killer has hacked the CEO's email account and he intends to lure you somewhere quiet where he will beat you to death with two reinforced Wheatabix. Or something.Strangely nervous. Never nervous for this sort of thing.
I'll feedback later.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
This is similar to two interviews I have had for senior management positions. Except that the CEO's had found me on LinkedIn, rather than me having emailed them.
But the proposed forum was similar - they emailed asking for an informal chat, which we conducted in a local Hotel's Bar and a pub respectively.
Despite the fact that the words 'informal' and 'chat' are used - plus the choice of forum - make no mistake, this is not a time to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, and treat the meeting as 'casual.' In my experience (also having worked in recruitment) it is anything but.
I did a shed-load of research on the companies, their products, sales, goals and aspirations - as other posters have said - all of which can be done fairly easily now, on the net. I also phoned the companies a couple of times, posing as a prospective customer, just to get as much info as I could (possibly a wee bit naughty - but as has been said, 'who dares wins' and all that!)
I turned up at the 'informal chats' fully suited and booted, armed with a shed-load of information about the companies, and quite a few sensible, relevant questions too. And never be tempted to drink, even if the CEO does buy beers for himself!!
I got both the jobs
Good luck!
Wot Raymondo sed.But the proposed forum was similar - they emailed asking for an informal chat, which we conducted in a local Hotel's Bar and a pub respectively.
Despite the fact that the words 'informal' and 'chat' are used - plus the choice of forum - make no mistake, this is not a time to turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, and treat the meeting as 'casual.' In my experience (also having worked in recruitment) it is anything but.
I did a shed-load of research on the companies, their products, sales, goals and aspirations - as other posters have said - all of which can be done fairly easily now, on the net. I also phoned the companies a couple of times, posing as a prospective customer, just to get as much info as I could (possibly a wee bit naughty - but as has been said, 'who dares wins' and all that!)
I turned up at the 'informal chats' fully suited and booted, armed with a shed-load of information about the companies, and quite a few sensible, relevant questions too. And never be tempted to drink, even if the CEO does buy beers for himself!!
I got both the jobs
Good luck!
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Always.
Just to update those who offered some advice.
Went really well, got out, shared some jokes etc. so really happy.
Left it on that he would have a word with some relevant managers and see if they have a position available, or open one up. Then get me back in an meet with them and we'll take it from there.
Fingers crossed they have a suitable position.
Went really well, got out, shared some jokes etc. so really happy.
Left it on that he would have a word with some relevant managers and see if they have a position available, or open one up. Then get me back in an meet with them and we'll take it from there.
Fingers crossed they have a suitable position.
swerni said:
To which you said it was similar to two interviews you had
I only know one CEO and that's NDA.
He only likes me cause I'm st at golf and he can beat me
I seem to recall I played so badly that day that I ran out of golfballs!!I only know one CEO and that's NDA.
He only likes me cause I'm s
t at golf and he can beat me Glad the meeting went well for the OP, senior executives are no different from anyone else really.
Be under no illusion, this IS an interview, he just won't be asking HR-approved questions. It's remarkable you got a slot at all, so be prepared to be flexible on exact timings as these are likely to move around closer to the day.
In terms of what to talk about, just expand on what you wrote, after all it got you here. Also ask him how he got there since people usually like talking about themselves. Be enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It's amazing how many people seem unable to use Google. Above all, remember that this is just another human being and just be yourself; as someone else said, it's mainly a chemistry check. You'll tie yourself in knots if you try and fake it.
Edited to add, didn't appreciate you'd already done it. Well done, seems to have gone well!
In terms of what to talk about, just expand on what you wrote, after all it got you here. Also ask him how he got there since people usually like talking about themselves. Be enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It's amazing how many people seem unable to use Google. Above all, remember that this is just another human being and just be yourself; as someone else said, it's mainly a chemistry check. You'll tie yourself in knots if you try and fake it.
Edited to add, didn't appreciate you'd already done it. Well done, seems to have gone well!
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