Congratulations! You’ve made it through each phase of the interview process, and you’ve been asked back for one final interview with perhaps the biggest influence on your hiring decision: the CEO.

It’s a completely normal feeling for your nerves to be flare up about this impending interview. The CEO arguably has the most experience, passion and influence within the company. However, it doesn’t have to be as nerve wracking as it’s made out to be in your mind.

First and foremost, the tried and true piece of advice that goes for any interview still holds its merit with the final stage of your interview process – be yourself. Don’t get caught up with trying to impress the CEO. They want to speak to your authentic self and the person who will potentially be representing the company one day. It’s even a good idea to strike up a casual conversation such as complimenting a recent product launch or keynote speech.

Another important tip to keep in mind is to do everything in your power to make the CEO feel as if you aren’t wasting his or her time. The way to achieve this is to enter the interview as prepared as possible, knowing the company’s history and everything that would be expected of you if you get the job. Keep in mind it’s not all one-sided – you can feel free to ask questions you might have about the position or company if something is unclear, and you will often be given this opportunity at the end of the interview. Your authenticity, interest and transparency and won’t go unnoticed.

Throughout the interview, many questions and answers will be imparted, but the key focus should be to relay your message with intention, drive and enthusiasm. The CEO will undoubtedly be listening to what you have to say, but rest assured they will also be listening to how you say it. All CEOs are not created equal but there’s a good chance they’re all looking for an honest, genuine candidate who will make their own impact on the company.

Don’t think of yourself as in the hot seat during the final interview. Instead, switch your mindset to think of it as a conversation with someone who can possibly become a valuable mentor in your career, as well as someone who shares the same goals about achieving success within the company they lead.

JW Michaels & Co. is an executive search firm dedicated to serving the specialized recruiting needs of top-tier financial services, legal, technology, and business institutions. Since our founding in 2010, we have grown to over 120 employees across six offices nationwide. We continue to grow because we stay true to our mission, employing the best people to find the best people.

We’ve all been there; we vigorously prepare for an interview, only for the big day to come and go while we’re left waiting on pins and needles for word back. Of course, there’s always a general sense on how well we did, but the uncertainty can be taxing. What if we told you there are certain signs to pick up on that can indicate our status with potential employers? There are never any guarantees, but these 6 signs are good indicators that you nailed the interview and can expect a job offer.

Body Language

Body language is a great indication of whether a conversation is going well, but it’s an especially good indicator of a job interview going in your favor. Interviewers will unintentionally make certain movements that demonstrate their enthusiasm for your responses to important questions. Head nodding, leaning in and other affirmative movements are all good indications you’re nailing the interview.

Conversational vs. Formal

When the interview turns more casual than formal, it’s usually a good sign the interviewer is comfortable with you and interested in what you have to say. The majority of the interview will be formal, but once you feel the energy change from business to more conversational, it’s a good sign they’re satisfied with how your skills fit into the job description and they want to get to know you better to figure out if your personality fits company culture.

Goes Longer than Expected

Interviews that wrap up quickly usually mean the interviewer knows right away you’re not a good fit for the role, but the interview running over is a good sign. If you’re being asked a variety of questions for a longer time frame than you expected, it’s usually because the interviewer or panel of interviewers are interested and want to know more.

Tour

If you get a tour of the office and start getting introduced to other team members, chances are you’re passing with flying colors. There would be no reason to take the time to do that unless you’re legitimately being considered as a candidate for the job you’re seeking. Seeing the way you interact with possible future employees is an interview task in itself and can better help the interviewer make a final decision.

Roles Reverse

When the roles start to reverse and you feel the interviewer start to sell you on the job or the organization as a whole, chances are you’re in the clear. It’s a clear indicator that they’ve made their decision that they want to hire you, because they’ve likely heard everything they need to hear and want to start showing you why you should choose them if you were contemplating offers from other companies.

Verbal Cues like “When”

Unintentionally, the interviewer will go from saying “if” to “when” if they feel you nailed the interview. Listen for cues like this during the interview if you want a better grasp on whether you’re doing well or not, since they will likely slip out of the interviewer’s mouth unconsciously.

JW Michaels & Co. is an executive search firm dedicated to serving the specialized recruiting needs of top-tier financial services, legal, technology, and business institutions. Since our founding in 2010, we have grown to over a 120+ employees across six offices nationwide. We continue to grow because we stay true to our mission, employing the best people to find the best people. Fill out our form and one of our specialists will contact you as soon as possible.