10 ways to ace the IT executive interview

This can also vary from company to company. For example, in the financial or legal industry, that level of dress formality might be just what the situation calls for.

“Do your due diligence,” says Zhang. “Go on social media and try to get a sense for how they’re dressed at that company. Certain companies are more formal. If you show up there dressed in Silicon Valley clothes, there might be a culture shock — similarly, if you go into a casual environment wearing a full-on suit.”

Recognize the value of the questions you ask

There will come a point, often at the end of the interview, where you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. This is your chance to close on a strong note.

“What’s your goal?” asks Elliott. “What do you want them to learn about you? Start there and work backwards to develop your questions.”

Franchetti says, if you want to end strong, “Ask great questions. Have three really strong questions. You may not get them all in depending on the length of the interview. But ask insightful questions.”

Perhaps one of your questions is about the company culture. Don’t ask the interviewer to describe it. Ask a question that shows you have done your research.

“In other words,” says Franchetti, “Don’t ask, ‘What’s the culture like?’ Get more specific. Demonstrate that you know about this company, and you know what you’re talking about.”

Perhaps you researched the company’s culture on the website, social media, or news. “Tell them what you know about the culture,” says Franchetti and ask a specific question about it. “It would be great if someone asked me, for example, ‘Your operating principles really speak to me. Tell me how you put them into practice.’”

Follow up to underscore fit and interest

Sending a follow-up note might seem old-fashioned but everyone I spoke to agreed it’s a good idea. This doesn’t have to be long or complex. It can be a simple thank-you email. But you could also use it as an opportunity to drive home one of your goals or to reiterate a talking point.

“Follow up,” says apexanalytix CIO Grover. It shows that you are motivated, interested, hungry even, for this role at this company. “This is a good thing. Checking on something, following up, is never a negative. You don’t want to be a pest. But following up tells me that you want this.”