Most employees never get the chance to meet with the CEO of their company, so if you do, you certainly want to make it count. Impressing the CEO is always a good thing for your career. That said, it can be nerve-wracking and stressful. How do you prepare for a meeting with the head of your company? Consider these helpful tips for making the most of your meeting and also making a good impression when you sit down with the CEO.
Prepare for Relevant Small Talk
You definitely don’t want to be the person who comes to the meeting and never says a word. You may never get this chance again so you want to make it memorable. That means you can’t be afraid to strike up a conversation and make small talk to start the meeting. Do a little research into the person and find a common interest that you can mention. This is an easy way to start a conversation and will be a good way to get the CEO on your side from the start. Don’t spend too much time with the small talk. Just keep it short and casual and use it as a way to break the ice.
Know the Purpose of the Meeting
You want to come to the meeting with a clear understanding of why the discussion is taking place. Is your CEO looking for feedback on a specific product or is this just a chance for them to see what’s going on with your team? When you have a better understanding of the agenda you will be able to prepare relevant information and shape the conversation in a way that is beneficial to you and your boss.
Prepare a Few Questions Ahead of Time
Once you understand the purpose of the meeting you can jot down a few questions that are relevant to the topic. Coming to the meeting prepared with questions demonstrates that you are engaged with the happenings of the company.
Prepare As You Would for an Interview
You only get one chance to make a good first impression so it’s important to be thoroughly prepared. Do some research and learn as much as you can about the CEO, recent happenings within the company, new products or services that are being launched, and even challenges that the company is currently facing. You might not use any of this information but it will make you feel more comfortable when you arrive to the meeting.
Arrive on Time and Dressed Appropriately
It might seem obvious but it’s important to arrive on time and professionally dressed. The last thing you want to be doing is scrambling around the morning of your meeting trying to figure out what to wear. Choose your attire in advance and have it ready to go. You should also give yourself plenty of time to get to your meeting and even plan to arrive a few minutes early.