Interview on Monday for a job that's way above my current salary.

[AlongCameBetsy]

Twice as much. I'm agog that I've been offered an interview, and fully accept I may well be a "wild card" but I'll put my all into it anyway.

Any tips for interviewing for a higher level position? It is a managerial level but doesn't appear to have anyone reporting to the role, so more strategic design. I've worked as a manager in a small company but this is much higher level and responsibilities.

I felt confident when applying, but now the interview has been offered I'm worried I'll be grilled to death and come out of it a wreck!

Oh well done for being shortlisted. If nothing else it's experience of what an interview at this level is like. Do you have to prepare anything in advance?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Oh well done for being shortlisted. If nothing else it's experience of what an interview at this level is like. Do you have to prepare anything in advance?

Thank you!

No preparation notes have been sent, but I am speaking to the recruiter again on Monday morning. Planning to brazen it out with him as well. 😬

Remember this is as much an opportunity for you to vet them as it is for them you. Just because they are offering more money, doesn't mean you have to take it if things don't feel right.

Ask about the format and type of interview/ questions. Seems a bit contradictory, but sometimes interviews for more senior roles are more informal.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Remember this is as much an opportunity for you to vet them as it is for them you. Just because they are offering more money, doesn't mean you have to take it if things don't feel right.

Yes, agreed.

@Cherry321

Ask about the format and type of interview/ questions. Seems a bit contradictory, but sometimes interviews for more senior roles are more informal.

OK, thanks, I will ask.

I have no advice for you, but I’m excited for you @AlongCameBetsy. Good luck!

Have answers prepared for strategic thinking - times you've led strategic change etc

Try to find out if they use a ‘criteria based/situational based’ question style. If in doubt prepare for it anyway as it’s pretty common.
These will be phrased as ‘tell me about a time when you…
….had to resolve a difficult situation
…. Had to overcome problems to achieve a goal
…. had to lead a team that had never worked together before
Etc etc
Prepare different scenarios.
You can guess likely questions from a combination of the job description and by googling.
More information www2.hws.edu/pdf/career/behavioral_interview_questions.pdf

Read back through your application, and remind yourself why you felt confident and enthusiastic about this position. You’ve obviously impressed them. The salary difference doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a huge gap between your previous/current role vs the new job. Other factors can play a part - I’ve had this eg when moving from a smaller, cultural sector organisation to a more corporate environment. Also the market in many sectors is currently strong for employees.
And then also remind yourself that research shows that men tend to feel they’re qualified if they fulfill about 80% of the criteria…
For the interview, think of situations where you’ve shown leadership qualities and don’t hesitate to say things like “I led on… I took the initiative … I inspired the team to…“. Obviously don’t lie but if you have any management experience there will be occasions you can refer to, no need to be shy about it. Good luck, and don’t hide your light under a bushel!

These are great tips, thank you! I'll be sure to think of concrete examples over the weekend, and let you all know how it goes. I feel more confident already, so thanks.

[quote Dammitthisisshit]Try to find out if they use a ‘criteria based/situational based’ question style. If in doubt prepare for it anyway as it’s pretty common.
These will be phrased as ‘tell me about a time when you…
….had to resolve a difficult situation
…. Had to overcome problems to achieve a goal
…. had to lead a team that had never worked together before
Etc etc
Prepare different scenarios.
You can guess likely questions from a combination of the job description and by googling.
More information www2.hws.edu/pdf/career/behavioral_interview_questions.pdf[/quote]
Agreed, and focus on what you did and why, what drove that behaviour/response/decision.

Follow the S.T.A.R. methodology (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when answering a question or providing an example at the interview.

Make sure you make you the focus of your examples. What did YOU contribute. That’s who they are interested in.

Don't think of it as you've been offered twice as what you're on now. Think of it as - you're being offered what you're worth and your company now are only paying you half of that. This is your role and you are worth everything they're offering

Fake it til you make it maybe?

That's all I have 😆

Oh wow good luck op!

And then also remind yourself that research shows that men tend to feel they’re qualified if they fulfill about 80% of the criteria…

Totally agree with this. Whilst I dislike the whole men/women stereotypes thing, I do think that one of the reasons men are paid more than women is because they are more confident and far more likely to ask for pay rises.

So don't put yourself down op. Just think like a man and good luck!

I'm assuming you're a woman? A man would not be agog when offered an interview. Be confident and make sure you 'man spread' to make your presence known. Good luck!

Good luck @AlongCameBetsy you'll be great, what time on Monday? I'm going to come back to see how you got on

You're all right of course, and I did apply with that 80% statistic in mind.

Interview is 2pm on Monday, recruiter is calling me at 10am for a chat.

Well, after speaking with the recruiter today I am concerned about a few issues that weren't apparent earlier. I feel confident I can do the work, but the role was advertised at a higher wage than the recruiter has today mentioned, and I'm 2 hours outside of London and was under the impression the travel would be minimal, rather than 2 or 3 days a week in the office they seem to want.

I'll speak to them today, and maybe if we like each other enough I can negotiate these items, but otherwise it probably won't work out. I can't imagine my life functioning if I was commuting that long for half my week, and the cost would eat into the pay increase almost fully. Not worth the bother.

Good luck anyway, I hopefully you can discuss these things with them

The interview itself went well, thanks for all the tips and pointers, I was well prepared! But they don't have flexibility in the role for fewer days in the office, and I just can't commute that much. Ah well. I will keep looking at roles like this, though, because it's boosted my confidence in my ability considerably.