Beyond Your Portfolio

Today, in 5 Minutes or Less ⏱️

Ready to land that top design job? This week's newsletter shares  how to move beyond your portfolio and master an  executive interview. How to prepare with intention, research with purpose, and showcase  strategic thinking that will make you the  leader they can’t afford to lose.

Did You Know 🔎 

The average length of an executive job search is 6 to 9 months, a timeline often extended by the meticulous preparation required to secure a top role. This fact alone highlights the critical need to elevate your interview game; your time is valuable, so every interaction needs to count.

Proof in the Data 📈

According to a recent study from Korn Ferry, the most desired trait in a C-suite candidate is strategic thinking, with companies prioritizing candidates who can articulate a clear vision and connect it to business outcomes. This means your interview isn't just about past achievements but about your ability to shape the future.

Data from LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends report highlights that 75% of hiring managers believe personal brand and preparation are more important than ever for senior roles. This means your proactive research, tailored questions, and genuine curiosity about the role and company culture can be the deciding factor in a competitive field.

A Case Study 👩🏽‍💻

The journey to an executive or senior leadership role isn't is about demonstrating who you are. Many candidates fail by focusing solely on their portfolio and past projects, past employer brand recognition, missing the chance to showcase their executive presence. True leadership is revealed not just in what you've done, but in how you think, how you prepare, and how you articulate your vision for the future.

Imagine a top-tier designer and leader named Ava. She's a finalist for a Chief Design Officer role at a major e-commerce company. In her initial interviews, she focused on her portfolio and past successes. While her work was impressive, she felt she was missing a deeper connection with the hiring managers.

Before her final presentation, Ava took a new approach. She spent two days meticulously testing the company's product, from the mobile app to the website, making detailed notes on the user experience. She also researched each interviewer, discovering they had recently launched a new product line.

In her presentation, she didn't just show her past work; she integrated her observations from her product testing. She proposed a few thoughtful, high-level ideas for improving the new product line's user flow. Her preparation paid off. She demonstrated a deep understanding of the company's challenges and showed a level of strategic insight that went beyond a typical interview. She was hired, with the CEO later saying, "Ava didn't just tell us what she had done; she showed us what she could do for us, specifically."

The Playbook: Elevate Your Interview Game 🎲

Here are the steps Ava took to land the top job:

Go Beyond the Product. Become an Insider: Don't just look at the product from the outside; become a temporary user. Sign up, navigate the onboarding, and use the service as a customer would. This direct experience will uncover your most insightful questions and reveal a deep understanding of their business, a level of preparation few candidates will reach.

Research Your Interviewers. Be a Detective: Your interviewers aren't just names on a calendar; they're the people you'll work with to build the future. Research their backgrounds, their work, and their public profiles. This isn't about flattery; it's a sign of professional respect and a strategic way to find common ground. Knowing their priorities and past successes will help you tailor your responses and show that you've already started thinking about how to partner with them.

Master Your Presentation. Speak with Passion: Your presentation is your moment to showcase your leadership presence. Rehearse it until you're so comfortable you can speak your truth no matter what. A great technique is the "record and review" method: record yourself, then watch the video three times. First, listen only (sound on, video off) to assess your vocal quality. Second, watch only (sound off) to see your body language. Third, transcribe what you said to identify and eliminate filler words. The goal isn't just to be perfect; it's to be so comfortable with your content that your genuine excitement and conviction shine through. That passion is contagious and will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Reveal Your Growth Mindset. Share Your Scars: Senior leadership is a journey of continuous learning. Instead of presenting a flawless record, show your ability to self-reflect. Discussing a lesson you learned from a project that didn't go as planned isn't a sign of weakness—it's a demonstration of strength. It proves that you're an introspective leader who can analyze outcomes and grow from them, a critical trait for any executive

The Short Of It 💥 

Landing a top design role is about much more than a strong portfolio. It's an exercise in strategic preparation and self-awareness. To stand out, you need to:

• Become a temporary insider by testing the company's products and services.

• Be a detective by researching your interviewers and their backgrounds.

• Become a master communicator by practicing and refining your message.

• Reveal your growth mindset by sharing lessons you've learned along your journey.

This approach transforms the interview into a strategic conversation. You're not just a candidate; you're a leader ready to contribute from day one.

Is there a specific part of your interview prep you'd like to work on? I’d be happy to discuss it with you, just send me a direct message or an email to [email protected].

That's it for this week!

With ❤️ from Sally

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