Interview Etiquette - Good Example

Virtual High School

2 May 201602:53

Summary

TLDRBarbara, a former logistics professional, interviews for a position at a company impressed by her resume. She expresses interest in upgrading her skills, particularly in ERP applications, and is open to working in a team despite her past independent work. She inquires about the potential for a contract role to become permanent, given her readiness to re-enter the workforce. The company notes the absence of references on her resume and plans to contact her previous employers, while Barbara offers to provide additional information.

Takeaways

😀 Barbara is meeting with a potential employer for a job opportunity in logistics.
📄 The employer is impressed with Barbara's resume and her experience in logistics.
🏠 Barbara has been a stay-at-home mom and is now looking to upgrade her skills and return to the workforce.
💻 She is open to taking online courses to update her knowledge in ERP applications.
🤝 Barbara is accustomed to working independently but is open to being part of a team.
📈 She has experience leading and managing in the context of distribution and productivity.
🔍 The employer is interested in Barbara's ability to lead and work in teams, despite her past independent work.
📝 Barbara inquires about the possibility of the contract position becoming a full-time role.
👶 She mentions her youngest child is in junior kindergarten, indicating her readiness to commit to long-term work.
🔗 The employer requests references, to which Barbara agrees to provide, highlighting her previous positive work experiences.

Q & A

What role is Barbara applying for?
-Barbara is applying for a position in logistics, as mentioned in the job ad.
What relevant experience does Barbara have in logistics?
-Barbara has worked with several companies involved in logistics and has experience in AS400 and ERP applications.
Is Barbara willing to upgrade her skills?
-Yes, Barbara is willing to upgrade her skills and is open to taking online courses on weekends to update her knowledge in ERP applications.
What has Barbara been doing prior to returning to the workforce?
-Barbara chose to stay at home and raise her three children until they were of school age.
Does Barbara prefer to work alone or in a team?
-Barbara has mostly worked independently in smaller companies but is open to being part of a team and believes her experience would be valuable to others.
Has Barbara taken the lead on team projects in the past?
-While Barbara has not had formal experience leading teams in logistics, she has worked with management to resolve distribution issues and allocate tasks to maintain productivity.
What question does Barbara ask regarding the contract position?
-Barbara asks whether the contract position could potentially evolve into full-time work, as she is ready to return to the workforce full-time.
Is Barbara available for long-term work?
-Yes, Barbara is ready to take on long-term work and has made arrangements for child care for her youngest child, who is in junior kindergarten.
Does Barbara provide references with her resume?
-Barbara did not include references on her resume to keep it concise but mentions that her previous employers would be happy to be contacted.
What is the interviewer's next step after this interview?
-The interviewer states that they will be in touch with Barbara in the next few days after they finish conducting interviews.

Outlines

00:00

👋 Introduction and Welcoming

The interviewer welcomes Barbara and expresses excitement about meeting her. Barbara thanks the interviewer for the opportunity, and the interviewer mentions being impressed with Barbara’s logistics experience. Barbara confirms her relevant work background, highlighting her experience with similar companies in the area.

📈 Skills Upgrade and Flexibility

The interviewer inquires about Barbara’s willingness to upgrade her skills, particularly related to programs mentioned in the job ad. Barbara explains that while she took time off to raise her children, she is eager to take advantage of any upgrading opportunities, including online courses on weekends. She mentions her current knowledge of AS400 systems but looks forward to updating her skills in ERP applications.

🤝 Teamwork and Independence

The interviewer asks if Barbara finds it easier to work alone or with others. Barbara explains that working with smaller companies often required her to work independently but expresses enthusiasm for joining a team and believes her experience could be valuable to others.

🚀 Leadership and Problem Solving

When asked about leading team projects, Barbara admits she hasn’t worked directly in team settings within logistics but has collaborated with management to solve distribution issues and allocate work efficiently to maintain productivity.

❓ Questions About Contract Work

Barbara asks if the contract position could evolve into a full-time role, sharing her readiness for long-term work since her child care needs are covered. The interviewer explains it's hard to say for sure but acknowledges Barbara’s strong interest in the role and the possibility of it becoming permanent.

📋 References and Next Steps

The interviewer notices that Barbara's resume lacks a list of references and asks if she can provide some. Barbara agrees, explaining that she wanted to keep her resume concise due to the volume of resumes the company might receive. She reassures the interviewer that her former employers are ready to provide references. The interviewer requests any additional helpful information about her recent placements.

😊 Closing Remarks

Barbara thanks the interviewer for the opportunity, expressing that she enjoyed the meeting. The interviewer responds positively, informing Barbara that they will be in touch in the coming days after completing the interviews.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Logistics

Logistics refers to the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In the context of the video, it is a field where the interviewee has significant experience, having worked with similar companies. The interviewee's experience in logistics is a central theme of the interview, as it directly relates to the job for which they are being considered.

💡Resume

A resume is a document used by individuals to present their relevant background and skills. In the video, the interviewers have reviewed the interviewee's resume and are impressed by her experiences in logistics, which is a key point in the discussion about her suitability for the job.

💡ERP Applications

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, which is a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities. The interviewee mentions her experience with ERP applications, indicating her technical skills and how they could be updated to align with the job requirements, showcasing her adaptability and willingness to learn.

💡AS400

AS400, also known as IBM i, is a midrange computer system that runs on the OS/400 and i5/OS operating systems. The interviewee's mention of AS400 suggests that she has experience with this system, which is relevant to the logistics field and could be an asset for the job.

💡Team Approach

A team approach refers to a collaborative way of working where individuals contribute to a shared goal. The interviewee expresses her openness to being part of a team, contrasting her past experience of working mostly on her own in smaller companies. This indicates her versatility and ability to work in different environments.

💡Lead

To lead in a professional context means to guide and direct a group or project. The interviewers inquire if the interviewee has taken the lead on team projects, which is a way to assess her leadership skills. Although she hasn't led logistics teams, she has worked with management to resolve problems, demonstrating her leadership potential.

💡Distribution

Distribution in logistics involves the process of getting products from the manufacturer to the end user. The interviewee mentions working on distribution, which is a critical aspect of logistics. Her experience in this area is relevant to the job and shows her understanding of supply chain management.

💡Productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency of production, or the rate at which goods and services are produced. The interviewee discusses her role in allocating work to maintain peak productivity, which is a key performance indicator in logistics and demonstrates her ability to optimize operations.

💡Contract Position

A contract position is a type of employment where the employee works for a fixed term or to complete a specific project. The interviewee inquires about the possibility of the contract position becoming a full-time role, indicating her interest in long-term employment and commitment to the job.

💡References

References are individuals who can provide information about a person's skills, character, and work habits. The interviewee is asked to provide references, which is a standard part of the hiring process to verify the candidate's qualifications and work history. She offers to provide references, showing her willingness to comply with the interviewers' requests.

💡Child Care

Child care refers to the arrangements made for the supervision and nurturing of children. The interviewee mentions that she has arranged for child care, which is relevant as it indicates her ability to manage personal responsibilities and commit to a job, addressing potential concerns about her availability.

Highlights

Barbara has experience in logistics with similar companies.

Barbara is open to upgrading her skills related to the job requirements.

Barbara stayed at home to raise her children but is now ready to return to work.

Barbara is willing to take online courses to update her skills.

Barbara's work in AS400 is still current, and she is looking to update her ERP applications knowledge.

Barbara has mostly worked independently but is open to a team approach.

Barbara has experience resolving distribution problems and allocating work.

Barbara has not led team projects in logistics but has worked with management.

Barbara is interested in the possibility of a contract role becoming a full-time position.

Barbara's youngest child is in JK, and she has arranged childcare.

The interviewer acknowledges Barbara's interest in the position.

Barbara is asked about providing references for her previous work.

Barbara is willing to provide references and has informed her former employers.

Barbara is asked to send additional information about her recent placements.

Barbara thanks the interviewer for the opportunity to meet and discusses next steps.