Management Interview Preparation - Free eBook in PDF Format

Book Description - ISBN 978-1-62620-784-8 (34 Pages)
This eBook will help you prepare for a management-level job interview. It explains why most of the factors that determine whether an interview is a positive experience or an ordeal are decided well before the interview itself and what you can do to make your interview a success.

Chapter 1 - Management Interview Preparation
Most of the factors that determine whether an interview is a positive experience or an ordeal are decided well before the interview itself. The first step in preparation is to check that the role and the organization are a good match with your own skills, character, and values. You can do this by looking at the organization's website, mission statement, and promotional literature as well as the job ad. It is better to apply for a few suitable jobs and to prepare properly than to apply for dozens, prepare poorly, and hope for a lucky break. Applying for unsuitable jobs will almost certainly result in rejection before the interview or an unpleasant interview experience. Both of these outcomes will undermine your confidence. In contrast, an interview in which you perform well can boost your confidence even if you are not offered the job.

Chapter 2 - Preliminary Interviews
These are often outsourced and done over the phone in order to keep the costs down. They are usually scheduled outside of normal working hours and tend to be quite short with an emphasis on fact checking. Your interpersonal and communication skills will also be evaluated, so it is important to give the interviewer your full attention and give clear answers to questions.

Chapter 3 - Using a Recruitment Agency
An ongoing relationship with a respected recruitment agency can be a great help in getting onto the interview shortlist. This is important because there can be so many applicants for a job that the initial screening process can be something of a lottery.

Chapter 4 - Understanding the Role Description
The job ad, role description, and employee specification can all be used to list and rank the competencies required. Competencies are the aggregate behaviors an individual needs to perform a role. You can use a competency framework to compare the required competencies with your own.

Chapter 5 - Matching Competencies to Role Responsibilities
Comparing your own competencies to those required involves establishing what evidence you have for claiming a particular competency. You may need to look outside of your work activities to find evidence of those competencies you have been unable to develop in the workplace. This exercise is time consuming but it will highlight areas where you are weak and likely to be challenged in the interview.

Chapter 6 - Matching Competencies Example
This example demonstrates how a comparison of competencies can be made and how gaps within an individual's competencies can be identified. Using the descriptions of the behaviors associated with particular competencies makes it possible to determine the most effective way to fill any gaps using either work or non-work examples.

Preparing for a Competency Based Interview - Most competency-based or behavioral interviews will be between one-two hours long. The length of the interview will usually reflect the seniority of the post you are being interviewed for. The amount of industry or market knowledge you are expected to know will have a direct correlation to the level of position you are applying for.