In an interview with Forbes, Cathy Anterasian, head of Spencer Stuart’s CEO Succession Services, discusses the qualities boards should look for in their company’s next CEO and how aspiring executives can prepare themselves for the top position.
Cathy offers the inquiries boards should pose to determine whether CEO candidates possess the necessary aptitudes for success:
And what can aspiring leaders learn from the list, to prepare for the hoped-for day? What really matters to the people who give you the job? What is the list of “must-haves” that guides the decision when a board votes to hand over the keys to the castle?
With over fifty chief executive transitions under her belt over the past few years as Spencer Stuart’s Senior Partner and Practice Leader of CEO Succession in North America, Cathy Anterasian has the expertise to identify the pattern. She assuredly remarked, “Trust me, it’s a fundamental and timeless list. ”.
“It’s not quite ‘checking the boxes’ per se says Cathy. The abilities a board seeks are really qualities, and they can appear in various ways in different people. The capabilities invariably represent a collection of abilities, information, and actions. Also, board decisions always involve trade-offs. No candidate is perfect in every area, and committees will also take into account how a candidate’s strengths will work with the team they will be working with. But the foundation of what they probe remains the core five abilities. ”.
Spencer Stuart Interview with Ken Allen – Part I
Interviews for Top Jobs at Spencer Stuart
Client Development Analyst Interview
The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Spencer Stuart
Interview
An interviewer reached out to set up an initial phone call. On our call, she wanted to know more about my background and experience. Next I had a Zoom meeting with the same recruiter where we went further into “tell me about a time…” questions and experience with data. Following this, I had an hour Zoom interview with the team coordinator. She asked many experience-based questions and hypothetical “what would you do in this situation”. She ended our call after only half the time saying she had everything she needed. The next day, I heard from the recruiter that the team coordinator would not like to move on with my application.
- Tell me about yourself, elaborate on the experience listed on your resume, when you hope to start working, why Spencer Stuart, why executive search, how you handle failure, what makes you eager to work, describe a time when you used Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint, and describe a scenario in which you had 24 hours to create a client presentation with the least amount of information possible.
Associate Interview
I applied through an employee referral. I interviewed at Spencer Stuart
Interview
There was a clear process with frequent updates and follow-up from the recruiter. Interviews were very professional, with several rounds from expert interviewers. The company’s own psychometric tools were administered for additional data on candidates.
- Competency-based questions relevant to the function. – What have you done in the past and how?.
Engage with the Right People
Find search firms that serve your target industries and get in touch with the consultant there who is most likely to be able to help you. Write a personalized email with your resume attached. If the consultant has other priorities, don’t be offended if you ask for an in-person meeting to introduce yourself; as long as they have your resume, you will be on their radar. (And yes, search consultants do share candidates with their colleagues. ).
Have a direct, honest conversation: Describe the opportunities and career paths you’re thinking about, as well as your salary needs, your aspirations, and the kind of culture that will work best for you. Take these interactions seriously because, even if you are not being considered for a current assignment, recruiters have an unmatched window into the job market and can provide useful information on businesses that can influence your search.
Think of it as relationship-building: Even if the recruiter doesn’t have a position that suits you right now, offer suggestions for the searches they are working on. He or she might contact you for suggestions or details regarding additional searches. Build relationships with recruiters through these discussions so that they will be available to you when it comes time to change careers.
It’s likely that your important job interview will switch from in-person to video as more people begin to work remotely and exchange fist bumps and wave-like gestures from a safe distance. Beyond the standard interview best practices and the fundamentals of a video — a working camera, internet connection, and audio connection (all of which you tested before the meeting) — what else matters? Here are my best video interviewing tips. The good news is that the majority of this holds true for any video conference. Many people don’t give much thought to what their camera might be picking up in your background. I’ve observed extremely senior executives being interviewed while having a large selection of alcohol in the back of their home office, as well as suggestive artwork or pictures that might not be appropriate for the current discussion. Nevertheless, I have observed some executives with thoughtful backgrounds that include books and personal items. There have been instances when something in the background was so intriguing that it inspired a query and interesting conversation. Phones, the internet, and taking notes During interviews, it’s common for people to take notes. These notes may be about the business, the interviewee, or something else entirely. I observe that when candidates fly into a city for an interview, they typically spend a lot of time researching the people they will meet, the business, and the position, and they typically arrive with some thorough notes and questions. Strangely, I have observed that people appear with less preparation when communicating via phone or video. This could be because the cost is lower, the setting seems more casual, and appointments are frequently made more quickly. Or, if someone did their homework, they might notice that they are looking down and consulting their notes a bit too much. Avoid spending the entire time reading off your desk and displaying your crown of heads to the camera. If you must take notes, make them larger and more legible so you can quickly glance down for a reminder. Don’t be afraid to ask if they have what they need on hand or if it would be helpful to provide them with a quick background as they may not be able to look at their notes and you at the same time. The person interviewing you may also have their notes about you (or your resume) on their computer. This can be a nice gesture for the harried executive. Small video windows, small talk Maybe it’s just human nature, but I’ve noticed that people don’t always engage in the small talk I expect from people I meet in person when they appear in a small video box on my monitor. No one extends a hand, offers coffee, or makes any observations about the environment. In a video interview, it can be more difficult to strike up a conversation. Don’t let that stop you. Put your interviewer at ease and display some humanity for a few minutes. Make it simple for now, but don’t skip the personal touch and the welcome; I have no doubt that in a few months, we will all be able to draw from a deeper well of video humor. If you’ve ever witnessed someone forgetting they are being recorded on camera, it is priceless. The same applies to individuals entering and leaving the room while the video is playing. One simple tip is to put something right next to your camera when recording videos and put a sign saying “ON CAMERA” outside your door. “Be aware that TV and radio studios may operate with a red light outside the door. Another advantage of placing a bright sticker next to your camera is that it will serve as a reminder to keep your eyes on the camera and not the screen or keyboard. Some people have mastered the art of drawing on a whiteboard while being on camera to demonstrate a point, drawing the viewer in more like a TED Talk and less like a talking mug shot. However, it takes a little more skill and should not be tried for the first time during a big meeting. We have internal video meetings all the time so I started to try new things when I asked one executive who was particularly good at drawing you into her space on the other side of the video. I discovered that sketching on the whiteboard was much more enjoyable than simply looking at a camera. Now, there is a reason why weather reporters gesture at imaginary clouds on a white screen, appearing (mostly) natural; if you can’t make it work, don’t. Lights, camera, action If the meeting or interview is important, take a moment to position good lighting that hits your face and check that you don’t have any objects that could awkwardly glare back at the camera, such as picture frames. Remember that audio is crucial, and position your camera slightly higher than your face. Surprisingly, a lot of people would rather be misunderstood than use headphones Even though you are being recorded, the audio is what people will hear, so speak clearly. In fact, ask yourself near the start if you are coming through okay, and if not, take action. When you do, request an interruption from the person on the other end if they can’t hear you. In interviews, people are surprisingly polite, but frequently that works against you. Check 1, 2, and 3 that you can be heard because if they can’t hear you, they might not tell you or they might not tell you that’s why they’re not moving you on to the next step. Last but not least, the custom of following up with a thank you note remains the same. Make sure to express gratitude to everyone who helped make the virtual interview possible, including the interviewer. Relationship-building is important as ever, despite the screen in between.
Take Ownership of the Process
Get smart: If you’re thinking about changing industries, you’ll need to quickly learn about your new industry. Make sure you stay up to date on the dynamics of your target sector and speak its language, even if you are not considering making a significant change.
Make a commitment: If you’re thinking about moving, especially to a different country, you must demonstrate your commitment to the move. Make frequent visits to that location. Establish ties with the neighborhood business communities, including the chambers of commerce. Be present and visible in your target market.
If you’ve lost your job or are looking for a new opportunity, stay engaged by remaining active and connected. Start your own consulting business, if only to have a business card with more than just your name on it, or join the board of a non-profit organization. This will keep you occupied and could prove to be a useful tool if you decide to accept project work or an interim management position.
Be patient: If you are collaborating with a recruiter on a particular opportunity, keep in mind that the recruiter has little control over the interview process and is frequently at the whim of the client’s schedule. After interviews, always give the recruiter a call. If you do not get through, leave a brief report.
Say thanks: Don’t overlook the thank-you note. Sending a thank-you email or letter to anyone who took the time to meet with you is just common courtesy. A potential employer will notice if you skip this step, even though it rarely results in you being given the job. Take the time to customize your messages to each of your individual discussions if you met multiple people during a visit. A brief, well-written note reinforces your of professionalism.
FAQ
Why do you want to work at Spencer Stuart?
We focus on finding, recruiting, developing, and retaining smart, inquisitive, creative, and results-driven individuals who care deeply about the work we do, our colleagues, our communities, and the world around us. This is why Spencer Stuart is unique.
What questions do they ask at a Marks and Spencer interview?
- Base your justifications for wanting to work for Marks & Spencer on details and facts.
- Tell me about a time when you had to manage a challenge with fewer resources and how you handled it.
- How have you challenged the decisions or ideas of others?
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What attracted you to our company?
- Tell me about your strengths.
- What are your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Please describe a time when you faced a business obstacle.
What are the 5 hardest interview questions and answers?
- Tell Me About Yourself. …
- Tell me about a time when you failed or made a mistake, and how you handled it.
- Describe a time when you had to deal with a challenging coworker and what you did.
- Why did you leave your last job? …
- Why do you want this job?
