Navigating an Informal VP Meeting: What to Expect and How to Prepare for This Unique Interview Stage

Hi there, I applied for a Risk Director position at a Cancer Agency in Canada. The Risk Director will be responsible for the Risk Management Department, managing the agency's risk-related matters at six centers across the province, including its research centers. I have direct risk management experience from my previous role, making me a strong candidate. I successfully passed the panel interview with the corporate director, to whom I will report, and two other risk directors from different departments within the organization. The corporate director promptly contacted my references, which I see as a positive sign. Interestingly, she has a close relationship with one of my references, who is also a risk director and trained me. I am confident that my references provided excellent recommendations. However, the process is not yet complete as I am scheduled to meet with four VPs at the Cancer Agency for their approval. The corporate director mentioned that this meeting will not be a formal interview but rather quite informal.

Concerns About the Upcoming Meeting

My concern is that I have never experienced this type of second interview with individuals at the VP level, so I am unsure of what to expect or how to prepare. I assume they want to get to know me personally rather than solely assess my competency for the role. Additionally, I am curious if this might be an opportunity for the VPs to meet several potential candidates and select the best fit. Some of my colleagues believe this scenario is unlikely, as the corporate director, who seemed enthusiastic and already reached out to my references, is likely to present the best candidate to the VPs.

Has anyone encountered a similar situation or can provide insights into this process?

Thank you.

While I surely cannot say how the further process can pan out, in general, I suggest being prepared for the following mental scenario from a recruiter's experience perspective.

When your corporate director mentioned that "this meeting will not be a formal interview and that it will be quite informal," in all probability, he meant that what will be in focus would be anything else but your functional and technical knowledge. Usually, such discussions entail a focus on attitude, pressure, and people-handling capabilities. This could be important for you, as your job role would have many situations that test this aspect of your personality, ethics, ability to convey bad news softly but clearly, and individual attributes such as these.

Preparation for the Second Interview

Coming to your line "I've never been through this type of 2nd interview with people at that level (VPs) so I'm not sure what to expect or how to prepare"—firstly, forget about 'what' to expect. Just be yourself. The more you begin to think in terms of 'what's right or wrong to prepare,' the more you get into a trap of constricted thinking that hinders your ability to 'think and act on the fly.' Just plainly respond as things manifest themselves during your meetings. In situations where 'intangibles' are under test, 'preparation' can be a limitation rather than an asset.

Secondly, please realize that this position could be very critical for them, hence their preference for a second senior-level round. It could also be a pointer to their possible past experience with the earlier incumbent; sometimes it happens. If you can, suggest making some discrete checks about the reasons why this position fell vacant. That could give you some inputs on what to expect, though I suggest not taking it as the Bible.

Focus on Your Response Mechanism

As far as your line "I'm wondering if this might be an opportunity for the VPs to meet a couple or three possible candidates and pick the best one" goes, just wipe it off your head. Whether they intend to meet one, two, three, or more is not in your hands, but what's in your hands is your response mechanism for the interview. Just focus on it. The more one thinks of situations or issues that aren't in one's control, the more self-pressure builds up—do you need any now?

Look forward to hearing the happy news of your selection from you soon 

All the best.

Regards,
TS

You have written that, "[I have to meet 4 of the VPs at the Cancer Agency for their approval. I was told by the corporate director that this meeting will NOT be a formal interview and that it will be quite informal.]"

If the meeting is informal, they might try to assess your psychology. While conversing with you, they may ask questions to gauge your thought process. They might not focus on assessing your knowledge since that part has been covered in the previous interview. Therefore, there may not be specific questions; instead, it will be a conversational assessment.

Even though it is an informal meeting, I recommend following business etiquette completely. Avoid making negative comments. However, if they test your conviction, respond confidently. Try to research who these VPs are. Consider checking their profiles on LinkedIn.

Will it be a group meeting? If so, make an effort to engage with everyone. Avoid focusing on just 1-2 individuals while neglecting others. If these are separate meetings, will you have four meetings?

What is your nationality? Are you from India or Canada? If you are from India, stay updated on the latest news and affairs in Canada.

All the best!

Regards,
Dinesh Divekar

Thank you for your replies! This is so very helpful. I will provide an update when all is over. I welcome more comments if anyone has more to add. Thanks!

Dear Sateesh, This is as much a qualifying round as you went through with the higher executives in the first place. Some companies practice the selection process in a sequence they feel best suits their time and the criteria that are to be met, with different people being met by each of the candidates. Here, it looks like the Corporate Director, along with two others constituting the panel, evaluated specific areas of interest for them and in which they were the best judges. The round proposed with the VPs—call it informal or otherwise—needs to be amplified to some extent by the panel that evaluated you initially. Do ask them the purpose of the meeting with the VPs as well as how this has a bearing on your selection and what the organization wants from such a round. I'm saying this as, to me, it is quite a time-consuming and elaborate process to meet up with four more senior management personnel.

Please get your doubts cleared about this meeting, and only if fully satisfied, prepare to meet the four VPs. Once you have decided to participate, give it your best without taking any chances. All the best, and I would like to know your feedback whatever the outcome.

Regards, R. Ravi Kumar, HR & Business Consultant

Thank you so much for your interest in this process and your thoughtful and helpful comments. It is a little disappointing that my meeting with the VPs got canceled for this Wednesday and rescheduled for November 18th. I will be meeting with three of them and will probably have to have another meeting with the remaining VP. Oh well.

My current boss, who is close with the corporate director that interviewed me, found out that they are considering another candidate; however, I am their top candidate. This is good news, but it looks like I still have competition!

Purpose of the Meeting

Regarding the purpose of the meeting, my understanding is for the VPs to make the final decision about my fit. I believe I will be working closely with them, so they probably want to have a chance to talk to me and see for themselves. The meeting is only 30 minutes...

Why should you be afraid of meeting VPs in an interview? After all, they are also human beings. Be bold and convincing in your answers. Do not hesitate too much. That will project you as a nervous person to them. Everyone knows no one can give 100% correct answers.

I am not afraid. I just want some tips as I have no experience in this kind of meeting. If anything, I am excited to meet them, and going in there knowing that I am their top candidate makes me even more confident. Not sure why you are assuming that I am afraid to meet them?

Hello Dehahaha, vis-à-vis your line ".........but it looks like I still have competition!"—I think the thrill of getting selected against any competition is far more than if it were in a stand-alone mode, I guess... right? Sometimes, it also acts as a speed-breaker to inhibit one's over-confidence—your line '...knowing that I am their top candidate makes me even more confident' already 'seems' to exhibit a bit of it, I guess :-)

Since the interview has now been postponed to 18th Nov, maybe it's for your own good... you have time to do more checks about what's expected of you. Since you are supposed to be working closely with these VPs, suggest trying to find out their job roles and responsibilities and also about them... a lot of their present job content would obviously be offloaded to you 'when' [I don't see any 'if' here] you get selected and join.

From their perspective, they would surely be seeing if and how you can be of help to them. At the end of the day, most people look at a situation from the point of 'what's in it for me' view... whether subtly, subconsciously, or overtly.

When I interview for a position that supports/assists me directly, I would surely look for those traits that complement my own set of attributes. Hope you get the point.

All the Best.

Regards, TS

It is quite common that at any age an interview gives some creeps. That is why I wrote that. Do not be afraid. This was just to cheer you up. When they question you, just answer what you know confidently. Presume you have nothing to lose. I am happy to hear that you are the number 1 candidate. Wish you good luck.

Thank you, TS, for your sound advice. I will definitely give some thought to your line of thinking.

VISWA, I appreciate your explanation. Today, I received an additional comment from my boss stating that I am their top candidate, and not just that, but "by far."

I'll keep you all updated as I receive more information.