Jun 2, 2026 · 32 min · 10 segments
At the executive level, interviewing is not about proving you can do the job. It is about demonstrating that you already think like the person they need. That distinction changes everything about how…
Michelle MerrittHost
Debra BoggsHost
It's a great place to start with this conversation because it really is the absolute crucial point of really standing out in the executive job search.
So one of the things that we see executives really struggle with, and it really it really hurts their ability to stand out and have a strong first conversation, especially in those early conversations with recruiters or, you know, the HR, you know, assistants, things like that.
Corn Fairy says, like I say all the time, which is why I'm going to repeat it because they echo what I say every time.
It's not that they're, you know, a global recruiting powerhouse or anything, but they said, you know, Every conversation you have with an executive recruiter is going to start with three things that you need to have crystal clear answers for.
What they said and what we often see is that executives in the job search will start with activity, reaching out to their network, applying to a bunch of jobs, updating their resume, doing all of this flurry of activity.
But without clarity on the ideal role they want next, the kind of company they want to go to, the kind of function they want to lead, and their unique value to do that, then All of this activity is pointless.
And so they said, every conversation is going to start with three key questions that you need to have hyper-focused answers for.
What do you actually want? And what distinguishes you? What distinguishes you is so important.
It's a great place to start with this conversation because it really is the absolute crucial point of really standing out in the executive job search.
So one of the things that we see executives really struggle with, and it really it really hurts their ability to stand out and have a strong first conversation, especially in those early conversations with recruiters or, you know, the HR, you know, assistants, things like that.
Corn Fairy says, like I say all the time, which is why I'm going to repeat it because they echo what I say every time.
It's not that they're, you know, a global recruiting powerhouse or anything, but they said, you know, Every conversation you have with an executive recruiter is going to start with three things that you need to have crystal clear answers for.
What they said and what we often see is that executives in the job search will start with activity, reaching out to their network, applying to a bunch of jobs, updating their resume, doing all of this flurry of activity.
But without clarity on the ideal role they want next, the kind of company they want to go to, the kind of function they want to lead, and their unique value to do that, then All of this activity is pointless.
And so they said, every conversation is going to start with three key questions that you need to have hyper-focused answers for.
What do you actually want? And what distinguishes you? What distinguishes you is so important.
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