How to Interview for Executive Roles Without Industry Experience

Recently, I worked with an executive preparing for an interview in an industry serving higher education - a sector where they had zero direct experience. Their resume didn't check the traditional boxes, yet they possessed all the core capabilities needed.

Sound familiar?

Many senior leaders face this scenario: you're qualified for roles where your industry experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, yet, you know that you are ready to tackle this professional challenge because you know that you have the skill set to make it work.  

You begin to second-guess your readiness, even though you have highly transferable leadership and technical capabilities.

Do you apply for the role or do you pass on it?

My client decided to apply for the role, and that’s why we were working on interview preparation. 

The Translation Framework

Here's how we approached it:

My client needed to connect their corporate experience with the higher education clients that they would be serving through the new organization.

After we identified the multiple stakeholders in the higher education ecosystem and their corporate counterparts, we started with how their board experience would translate to working with university boards of trustees.

We created specific language bridges:

1. Identify the core function - Identify the fundamental leadership capability required without using industry-specific language.

2. Find your parallel - Pinpoint where you've demonstrated this exact capability, even in a different context.

3. Create the bridge statement -

"While I haven't worked directly with [specific industry element], I've successfully [parallel experience] which requires the same core skills of [shared capability]. An example of what I achieved is [specific example]"

Results Beyond the Resume

After discussing several specific examples of the bridge statements, the shift was immediate. My client's levels of confidence and comfort with the upcoming interview grew as they recognized how their executive capabilities translated meaningfully into another context.

The interview became an opportunity to demonstrate their thinking process and what they brought rather than justify what they did not.

This approach works because hiring decision-makers ultimately seek judgment, pattern recognition, and leadership capabilities, not just industry-specific knowledge and terminology at the executive level.

By acknowledging the gap directly and building the bridge yourself, you can demonstrate precisely the highly sophisticated strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities that make experienced executives, like you, valuable.

Your Turn

What sector or role have you considered exploring but hesitated due to "missing experience"?

Consider: what capabilities do you bring that transcend industry boundaries?

In the next edition, I'll share insights on how you can prepare for specific questions that may arise during interviews when you are changing industries.

Until then, remember that your leadership experience will take you farther than you may think, and, certainly, beyond what any job description may require.

Norma Dávila, Ph.D. helps executives navigate career transitions, build strategic positioning, and unlock their next level of leadership impact. Connect with her on LinkedIn for more insights on executive career development.

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