We are honored to have Martha Tuma guest blog today. Martha is the Vice President of Human Resources for Logitech, the parent company of LifeSize. With more than twenty years of experience in human resource management, Martha leads Logitech’s global HR strategy and Worldwide Human Resources group. She is an active participant in recruiting great talent to both Logitech and LifeSize.

Your final interview, sometimes with an executive, should not be something you fear, it should be something that you look forward to. That is, if you are well prepared. Why? There will never be a better time to learn about the organization, its challenges and opportunities, what the leader is like, and what to expect if you are hired.

A few important tips on how to make sure you have the best-possible interview with the executive.
• Do your homework on the company. Come in knowing more than a little bit about the position you are applying for, learn some about the business. Taking the initiative to learn more than the basics of the specific job opening will not be lost on the executive.
• Be concise. Time is precious, so think before you answer. Take a moment to construct a crisp, clear and concise response.
• Don’t sidestep a question, or be vague. If you don’t have an answer, or a qualification, say so, and then ask if you can offer up alternative experiences that will be of value. If you are not willing to be transparent in an interview, when will you be?
• Have a point of view. Heck, you have the ear of the leader of the organization. Who wouldn’t want to hire someone who has ideas and is willing to share them? (Assuming of course, you are qualified for the position.)
• Have a few good questions to ask, and not about pay or benefits. Now is the time to learn more about the company, the leadership, the key priorities of the organization, what you will be expected to produce once on board, and what success looks like.

Just remember, an executive wasn’t always an executive. Come prepared, relax, and show them what you’ve got and who you are.