1472: Win the Executive Interview: Master the Skills That Get You Hired with Career Strategist Marcia Ballinger
Marcia Ballinger, co-author of The 20-Minute Networking Meeting and author of Winning the Executive Interview, brings decades of experience in executive search and human resources. She specializes in recruiting nonprofit CEOs and helping professionals master relationship-building, interviewing, and networking. Marcia explains that interviewing is not about performance or selling yourself, but about authentic, relational conversations that help both sides assess fit. She shares insights from years of observing real interviews, offering a rare look at what hiring leaders truly think when candidates leave the room.
In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Marcia reveals how to approach interviews as high-stakes, million-dollar decisions, where listening, curiosity, and confidence matter more than rehearsed answers. She breaks down the four types of interview questions—skills, style, risk mitigation, and logistics—and explains how to answer each effectively. Marcia emphasizes that the goal isn’t just to “get the job,” but to find the right one. The candidates who win are those who stay calm, thoughtful, and discerning, proving that the most successful interviewees are the choosiest ones.
Quotes:
If you find yourself selling in an interview, close your folio, thank them, and leave. You’re not getting the job.”
“An interview is a million-dollar decision. The smartest candidates approach it like a consultant, not a salesperson.”
“Winning the interview isn’t about perfection. It’s about having an authentic conversation and deciding if it’s the right fit for both sides.”
“The candidates who get the job aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones who listen, think, and stay curious.”
Resources:
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