Are you in the middle of a job search?
The following career interview with an Operations Managers, faciliated by JustJobs.com, will explain how the job search process looks through a manager's eyes.
As the Senior Operations Manager in a major software customer support company, my job duties include monitoring financial reports and working with first-line managers in their efforts to manage the operation. Statistical reports provide valuable information about the work habits of analysts who work with customers all day. Simple adjustments to work assignments will improve the use of resources, which improves customer satisfaction.
I was promoted into this position after three years as a first-line manager. My senior manager noticed my interest in the intricacies of the business. I was curious about various support models and how to use each one to support customers all over the globe. In speaking with other operations managers, I learned most are not hired from outside an organization because of the skills required to be effective in a wide variety job duties. In-depth understanding of how the organization functions forms the foundation for the operations manager's duties.
Effective communication skills in the interview allow the interviewer to get to know you as a person. Conversations with people in many companies and positions provide opportunities to practice answers to various questions. Behavioral interviewing questions are more prevalent now than they were 20 years ago. Managers learn to use probing questions that reveal past performance. I learned the importance of relaxed communication by conducting many hiring interviews as a manager. Technical skills can be taught, but effective communicators are found in the existing workforce.
Desperate job seekers would eventually state their goal was to “get my foot in the door." As a manager, I wanted people who wanted the open position on my team. Genuine job seekers want the right job because of the duties and responsibilities performed all day, every day.
Three important job search skills that must be mastered include:
Prepare specific personal examples related to the job duties in the job posting.
Most interviewers will ask questions directly related to the position. The night before the interview, the job seeker should review the detailed resume and find specific examples for each of the job requirements.
Give credit to other people when answering questions.
Hiring managers look for people who work well with others. Job seekers who appreciate former managers and team members will fit into a new organization well. The individual who oversells personal contributions will lose the interest of the hiring manager. Every team has enough star players, and the hiring manager is looking for hard workers who can come into the environment and contribute.
Be open to a different position.
During an initial interview, the hiring manager may refer the interviewee to another manager. Members of the existing team know the organization's present needs. Patience is an important attribute for the person who is looking for a job. Even if another interview must be scheduled for a later date, the wise job seeker will embrace the opportunity and not give up.
In my own experience, talking with a lot of different people led to the right job more than once. Job fairs are great for practice, but in a slow economy, opportunities are scarce. I stay in contact with old team members and associates from each of the companies on my resume. Their projects and contacts might be useful in the future. Every effort to find a new job must be focused on listening instead of selling.
Once I decided to leave the technical ranks and seek a management position, my first interview was based on the behavioral interviewing technique. I had spent the evening before reviewing my professional and personal experiences in leading teams. All of the questions were based on various aspects of handling personnel problems. My answers flowed because of my time in review. The interviewers were team leaders that would report to me if I received the job. I demonstrated my respect for their knowledge, and I did receive that position. Both of these individuals mentioned how much they enjoyed our conversation during the interview.
During this same interview, many of my answers included the contributions of my teammates over the years with my previous company. I refrained from mentioning the difficult people on the team. Questions about my former managers were answered with positive examples about their coaching skills and work to ensure we were always assigned to good projects.
As a first-line manager, I would stay abreast of the positions my peers had open. If I found a candidate that would match one of their openings, I would ask them to interview the candidate. This approach is better for the entire team.
Title: Operations Manager - The Business Process Improvement Specialist
Experience in the organization can lead to a promotion into the role of an operations manager. Job search skills begin with effective communications that reveal the experiences of the candidate.
JustJobs.com is a job search engine that finds job listings from company career pages, other job boards, newspapers and associations. With one search, they help you find the job with your name on it.
Job search skills image from Shutterstock
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