Climbing the corporate ladder to an executive position is a common aspiration for many business professionals. However, the key to unlocking this achievement often lies in mastering executive-level interview strategies. Earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) like the one offered by University Canada West (UCW) can be a game-changer, equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge to shine in the C-suite interview process.
In an interview, Dr. Gerlareh Farhadian, Department Chair – MBA Marketing, Strategy & Entrepreneurship at UCW, shed light on how the university’s MBA program prepares students for real-world business scenarios. Dr. Farhadian highlighted that the program uses unique teaching methods such as live case studies, where a business owner presents a real challenge to the class. The students, working in teams, tackle these issues as part of their coursework. This approach not only enables students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems but also provides them with a taste of Canadian professionalism, a skill invaluable during interviews.
Comprehensive Preparation
The foundation for any successful executive-level interview is comprehensive preparation. This involves gaining an in-depth understanding of the company’s culture, values and strategic objectives to align your responses effectively. Also, staying updated with the latest industry trends and company performance can highlight your dedication and insight, setting you apart from the competition.
Moreover, investing time to know the company’s leadership and business experience can help you present informed answers and ask detailed questions, adding another layer to your preparation. Resources such as professional networking platforms, press releases, company news, business journals and public financial records can be invaluable in this process.
Dr. Farhadian also shared the UCW MBA program’s commitment to community engagement and providing students with valuable real-world experience. She said, “We primarily use the Riipen platform and our faculty network to connect students with clients. We’ve also taken an initiative to engage with Indigenous businesses… Over several terms, we have already assisted over 12 Indigenous companies.”
Articulating Your Accomplishments
Executive interviews often hinge on your track record of success. Real-world projects and hands-on experiences allow you to create compelling stories that illustrate your problem-solving and leadership skills. For instance, suppose you were part of a team that developed a successful sustainability initiative in Toronto. You could discuss how your team’s efforts led to a reduction in the company’s carbon footprint over a given timeframe.
Alternatively, if you led a digital transformation project for a Montreal-based company, you might explain how the project resulted in an increase in operational efficiency. Incorporating specific facts and examples like dates, locations and figures, adds credibility to your narrative, effectively showcasing your achievements.
Practicing this storytelling skill, infused with facts can significantly enhance your interview performance. In the Canadian job market, where competition is fierce, being able to articulate your accomplishments in concrete terms can give you a significant edge. Professionals who could demonstrate their achievements with tangible results were reportedly more likely to secure executive roles in Canada’s top companies.
Communication Skills
An executive is often the face of an organization, making effective communication a pivotal skill in these roles. The ability to articulate your thoughts, ideas and experiences confidently and clearly can distinguish you from other candidates. Whether addressing employees, speaking at a conference, or providing statements to the media, your ability to communicate well is crucial.
Eileen Wang, Manager of the Career Development Centre at UCW, underscores the significance of effective communication skills, especially in the context of job interviews: “Successful interview communication necessitates both verbal and non-verbal skills. Verbal communication should be clear, organized and succinct, ensuring that interviewers fully comprehend your responses. However, non-verbal communication plays an even larger role, constituting over 90% of any given interview. This involves your appearance, energy, attitude, facial expressions, body posture, gestures, as well as the tone and volume of your voice.”
The Business Council of Canada’s 2018 report titled “Navigating Change: 2018 Business Council Skills Survey” demonstrates the high value of communication skills in the business sector. The survey of 95 leading Canadian employers showed that 73% of respondents identified communication skills as one of the most important skills for entry-level hires. This trend signifies the value of strong communication skills, starting from entry-level roles and continuing up to executive positions.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a highly sought-after attribute in executive roles. It consists of self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, empathy and social skills. According to a paper published in Sage Journals, emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in leading change within an organization, and these five components of emotional intelligence are instrumental in this process.
During an interview, underlining these traits can accentuate your capability to lead teams and foster relationships, both of which are crucial aspects of executive responsibilities. Furthermore, a CareerBuilder survey found that 71% of employers valued emotional intelligence over IQ, indicating that demonstrating high emotional intelligence can set you apart as an exceptional candidate for executive roles.
The Sage Journals paper further emphasizes the crucial role of emotional intelligence in change leadership, particularly in team building and overcoming resistance. Leaders with high emotional intelligence earn credibility by demonstrating adaptability, self-confidence and initiative, thereby gaining their team’s acceptance for proposed changes. These leaders are also adept at providing support during the change process, enhancing their effectiveness in achieving organizational goals.
Composure Under Pressure
Executive interviews often involve high-pressure situations. Demonstrating resilience and effective stress management techniques can assure interviewers of your ability to remain calm and composed under pressure. A well-prepared response to questions around your greatest weakness or a business failure can further showcase your critical and decision-making skills, reinforcing your suitability for an executive role.
Dr. Farhadian highlighted how the UCW MBA program helps students handle pressure. “Our terms are quite short, lasting only about 10 to 11 weeks. Within this period, students have numerous assignments, team projects and extra-curricular activities… This pressure, we believe, is in the DNA of working with clients, and we’ve coined a term for it – Client Based Projects (CBP),” she explained. This real-world experience prepares students to remain calm and composed under pressure, a vital skill for executive roles.
How UCW’s MBA Program Can Elevate Your Executive Interview Skills
The UCW MBA program is built to provide a comprehensive skill set for excelling in executive-level interviews. It consists of four progressive tiers, focusing on a range of skills from research and analytics to leadership and project management. Each tier deepens the student’s understanding of business operations and equips them with the necessary tools to handle complex interview scenarios effectively.
The final tier is dedicated to the application of this knowledge through major consulting or primary research projects. This not only develops the student’s technical expertise but also nurtures essential soft skills like emotional intelligence and effective communication.
By equipping students with a comprehensive set of technical and soft skills and offering hands-on experience through live case studies and CBP, the UCW MBA program prepares students for high-pressure executive-level interviews. This practical exposure, as Dr. Farhadian explained, forms the basis of the unique approach of the UCW MBA program.