Interview ideas....

[rebel100]

Alright, after filling in this position for nearly 9 months I have my interview to permanently fill the role this coming Friday. This is for a Manager/Director role within the organization. I want it, been doing the job gratis for the last 9 months and I want the both the financial reward the promotion would offer as well as the manager title. This opportunity is the one I was looking for when I returned to school for my BS and is the reason I started the MBA.

The interview will be in two parts, Part 1 is with the facilities Administrator (my current and future supervisor). I'm not sure what to expect, but we get along well and I'm not particularly worried about that portion. Part 2 is a panel interview with 4-5 people that are primarily department managers in their own right, this is more to sort through the nonsense and see how an applicant will gel or mesh with the management team. Again, not overly concerned about any of this, I know how to talk to these folks and expect a fair tough interview. I think I'm prepared, wondering if I should address a couple of items though...

First my resume is up to date and reads pretty close to the job description. What it doesn't reflect is the handful of successes I've had in the role. Do you think a sheet matching my resume that basically lists those accomplishments is needed? It could be titled"career highlights" or maybe just read "the past 9 months". I'm inclined to work one up and present the panel and the administrator with them at the beginning of the interview...thoughts on this? I could also remind them on this of the pending MBA and some personal wins (like letters of thanks from staff and visitors).

Sort of silly but I'm sort of undecided how to dress for this one. We are a decidedly long sleeve shirt and tie, no jacket workforce. I would normally wear a suit or at least a dress jacket for an interview, but this panel may view the addition of a jacket as too "corporate". Psychologically I think it best if I go with no jacket, that will best make me look like them...though the jacket to me would indicate respect for the proceedings and the nature of the meeting, so again...thoughts?

I can't deny that I feel like I'm the one to beat for this position, everyone tells me not to worry that it's already mine...but I've been the guy that beat the favorite, I got my current position over a favored candidate. Definitely don't want that to happen here

What else am I missing?

This should be a significant increase in pay as well as actually carrying the all important "manager" title. It supervises some 40 people in several critical service areas. I need to get this right and win this spot.

[cookderosa]

dress up 1 level, that's always the rule of thumb. So, whoever your supervisor would be in daily operations, dress like that person does in THEIR daily work for your interview. You got this- no question in my mind.

[burbuja0512]

Rebel - can you send me an email via LinkedIn? I have some info that might help. I would post here, but it has my resume info all over it..

[rebel100]

dress up 1 level, that's always the rule of thumb. So, whoever your supervisor would be in daily operations, dress like that person does in THEIR daily work for your interview. You got this- no question in my mind.

Even the Admin guy is only a tie and a long sleeve shirt, I've seen him with a coat on exactly once and that was the day the hospital was sold.

Thanks for your confidence, I appreciate it!

[ironheadjack]

I don't think a suit jacket will make you look over-dressed but I would leave the pocket square and cuff links at home though, lol.

Psychologically, I think the suit jacket says that you dress for the job you want.

[rebel100]

I don't think a suit jacket will make you look over-dressed but I would leave the pocket square and cuff links at home though, lol.

Psychologically, I think the suit jacket says that you dress for the job you want.

I agree, and I had decided to wear mine when the interview was to include a third panel of managers beyond our department. Thing is that at least 2 of the 5 people I will see in this interview are ardent haters of the "corporate" jacket. I don't wish to be seen as "bowing" to the corporate dress code....that make sense? No one I interview with that day will be so attired...in fact it will occur on casual Friday, they will mostly be in golf shirts.

[ironheadjack]

If you know or believe that all or most of your interviewers hate suit jackets then you should probably go with your gut instinct but if it were me and I knew that most of my competition would be dressing down for casual Friday, I would in fact wear the jacket because it makes you stand out.


If I were interviewing people for a manager position and four people were wearing golf shirts and one was wearing a suit and tie, the suit stands out to me as looking professional. That person isn't at work like every other day, but is seeking more responsibility and a leadership role.

[BIPolarGuy]

When I finally got my face to face interviews, it was on casual friday. All of the people were in jeans and polo shirts. I was suited up. They all joked that they "forgot" to tell me, but I would say you can never be overdressed. To be honest, why not just ask your supervisor what their opinion is. I am sure he/she wants you to have the job instead of breaking in someone new anyway.

As for a "win" sheet, definatly do that. I would use it as a tool though; When they ask you why you are qualified, present the win sheet, showing how you are already excelling in the role. Then talk about any projects that are underway and the milestones you are about/have already hit. You know, much better than they do, what the role requires and how you will be successful in it.

After reading all of your posts and your watching your journey through the MBA at WGU, I have no doubt you will land the job. You are well spoken, thoughtful, and helpful. Those are traits of a good manager.

Good luck (but you don't need it, you've done the work)

Greg

[rebel100]

Thanks Greg, I appreciate your thoughts.

[AlbaTiVo]

Mike, I think the idea of highlighting your last nine months in the role is a great idea. Many people assume that their boss and coworkers will remember all the good they have done, but it is easy to get caught up in the day to day proceedings and forget everything that we have done to improve the lot of our clients, coworkers, company and ourselves. You should definitely have something to remind them - it will also help to jar your memory for potential answers and give you an edge of confidence.

As for how to dress, men wear suits to interviews, pocket squares, dress shoes and all. IMHO you cannot be over-dressed for this interview and even if those conducting the interview are not willing to give you the dignity you deserve, you should not make the same mistake as them. In fact you should make them feel embarrassed for being under-dressed.

All the best - I know you can do it!