Navigating the final interview is a pivotal moment for both candidates and hiring managers. For candidates, this is their last chance to leave a lasting impression and secure an offer. Even if they're unsure about accepting a potential offer, they must first earn that offer to have the luxury of choice. The final interview serves as their last opportunity to accomplish this. 

On the other hand, hiring managers also face a critical moment; it’s their final opportunity to showcase their company and the role to attract top talent. They must ensure that candidates perceive the best possible advantages of joining their organization, increasing the likelihood of a favourable decision. 

Final interviews transcend mere questioning; they represent mutual selling opportunities. In the competitive fintech industry, where attracting top performers is essential, understanding this dynamic can be the key to landing one's dream job or securing exceptional talent. 

Let’s delve into why final interviews should be regarded as a two-way street and how both candidates and hiring managers can optimize this vital stage.

A Two-Way Street

For Candidates

Candidates often feel pressured to demonstrate their skills and experience, proving they are as capable as they claim. After all, every company seeks to hire the best candidates—top performers who will genuinely contribute to their business's success. The final interview is not only an opportunity to answer questions but also a chance to showcase your unique value proposition, highlighting what makes you an asset beyond your resume. Here are a few tips to help you prepare: 

• Highlight Your Track Record: Provide specific examples that illustrate your expertise and its application in real-world scenarios, particularly in relation to performance metrics from your previous roles. There’s nothing more compelling than demonstrating proven success in the areas the hiring manager seeks. Prepare three concise statements detailing how your prior success aligns with their requirements.

• Showcase Your Cultural Fit: Companies want to ensure you possess not only the right skills but also a good fit for their culture. Share experiences that resonate with the company’s values and mission, which you’ve gathered during the interview process.

• Ask Insightful Questions: Show genuine curiosity about the company's future, challenges, and your potential contributions. It’s crucial to understand the role's expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs). A powerful strategy is to visualize future success together by asking what success in the role looks like.

• Demonstrate Personal Interest: People naturally prefer to work with those they like, and sometimes companies struggle to choose between two equally qualified candidates. Personal chemistry and the perception of who genuinely wants the job can make a difference. Regardless of your decision about the role, express your interest in both the company and the position. Prepare three reasons for wanting to join the company—not just to sell your experience, but to convey your personal motivations for seeking the job.

For Hiring Managers

As a fintech hiring manager, your role goes beyond merely assessing candidates; you must also address their final questions and effectively promote your company and the position. With top fintech talent having multiple options, the way you present your organization can significantly influence whether your preferred candidate accepts an offer. Here are some strategies to enhance your approach: 

• Articulate a Clear Vision: Clearly communicate the company's goals, growth trajectory, and how the candidate's role contributes to the overall vision. This ensures that they recognize the vital impact they will have on the company's future success. High-performing candidates are drawn to organizations with compelling visions and are eager to collaborate with similarly driven individuals. A vague vision can deter top talent.

• Share Success Stories: Illustrate the company's support for its employees and innovation through compelling success stories. Highlight high-profile clients, recent deal achievements, client retention rates, industry awards, and testimonials. Top candidates are attracted to high-performing companies, so it's crucial to showcase your organization’s accomplishments rather than downplay them.

• Highlight Company Culture: Emphasize what makes your workplace an exceptional environment. Discuss team dynamics, work-life balance, and professional development opportunities that foster growth and engagement.

• Encourage Questions: Aim for candidates to leave the interview with no lingering questions, except those related to the offer details if you choose to extend one. Allocate time for candidates to ask any questions, no matter how minor they may seem. This openness fosters a welcoming atmosphere and ensures candidates do not depart with uncertainties or misunderstandings that could impact their decision.

Summary 

Final interviews are crucial for both candidates and hiring managers. Candidates have the chance to make a lasting impression and secure an offer, while hiring managers must effectively showcase their company to attract top talent. 

Candidates must highlight their track record, showcase cultural fit, ask insightful questions, and express personal interest in the role. Hiring managers, on the other hand, should articulate a clear vision for the company, share success stories to attract talent, highlight company culture, and encourage open questions to ensure candidates leave with clarity. 

Final interviews go beyond simple questioning; they are mutual selling opportunities that can lead to the right job fit or exceptional hires, and understanding this dynamic is essential for success on both sides.

About the author: Shawn Rutter is the founder of Excelsior Search, a market leader in international executive search and recruitment solutions for financial technology (fintech), data and research providers to the capital markets and investment industry across the Americas, EMEA and APAC.

If you are a capital markets fintech professional either looking to hire or considering your next career opportunity, then please do reach out on LinkedIn or email shawn@excelsiorsearch.com.