Posts Tagged ‘interview’

Senior Commodity Buyer in Oakland County, Michigan

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Our client is a growing automotive supplier that has a new position for a Senior Commodity Buyer.

This person will develop and maintain a regional sourcing strategy linked to new business sourcing for assigned commodities. Maintains up to date awareness of key market trends and uses information for validation and cost control. Establishes and maintains effective relations with key strategic suppliers. Negotiates pricing agreements and approves new business sourcing within general guidelines defined by the Director of Purchasing. Develops Material Cost Reduction MCR projects and gains wide organizational support to achieve implementation. Performs deep analysis of cost drivers using part cost breakdowns and purchasing skills. Helps maintain, develop, and improve purchasing and systems to continuously improve performance. Maintains effective cross functional relationships with suppliers, plants, and internal teams to improve overall performance. Guides junior members of the purchasing group in the application of systems and purchasing methods. Executes necessary administration of purchasing contracts and agreements. Up to 30% travel required (some international) to suppliers and Company manufacturing facilities.

Requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field required, technical degrees preferred.
• Minimum 5 year work experience in the specific Commodity area (ie: Stampings, Steels, Machining, Castings, Injection Moldings, Electronics)
• In depth knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures.
• Previous experience in automotive purchasing with a global focus, international experience a plus
• Proficient in ERP data extraction and analysis with superior Microsoft Office experience and skills.
• Experience leading successful negotiations

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE INTERVIEW?

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE INTERVIEW?

Your first initial meeting of the interviewer is the most important. You have only 30 seconds to make a great impression! Here are some tips to help you make a great first impression.

1. Be on time, about 10 minutes early is perfect.

2. Smile, so very easy to do.

3. Have a firm handshake.

4. Leave your cell phone in the car…such a turn off if it even vibrates.

5. Dress Appropriately, best suit, shoes etc.

6. Wear a conservative hair style and don’t wear perfume or cologne.

7. Be courteous to the receptionist or anyone you meet in the company.

8. Don’t bring in anything to drink or eat.

9. Take the lead from the interviewer in regard to pace of speech, tone of voice, and make eye contact.

10. Look attentive and in control when the interviewer comes in to meet you.
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Behavioral Interview (STAR Approach)

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Michelle Hunsanger participated in a Mock Interview Presentation at St Irenaeus Career Group on March 1st . The event focused on giving candidates the opportunity to practice in a mock interview on behavioral questions focusing on using STAR* approach. What is the STAR Approach?

*STAR Interview Response approach for candidates:

Situation: give an example of a situation you were involved in that resulted in a positive outcome

Task: describe the tasks involved in that situation

Action: talk about the various actions involved in the situation’s task

Results: what results directly followed because of your actions

Preparation is the key for interviewing. Before your interview, identify two or three of your top selling points and determine how you will convey these points (with STAR stories).

It is helpful to frame your answer as a story that you can tell. Typically, the interviewer will pick apart the story to try to get at the specific behavior(s) they seek. The interviewer will sometimes ask you open ended questions to allow you to choose which examples you wish to use. When a part of your story relates to a skill or experience the interviewer wishes to explore further, he/she will then ask you very specific follow-up questions regarding your behavior. These can include “What were you thinking at that point?” or “Tell me more about your meeting with that person.” or “Lead me through your decision process.”

Whenever you can, quantify your results. Numbers illustrate your level of authority and responsibility. For example: “I was an Accounting Manager” could be “As an Accounting Manager, I trained and supported 12 employees.”

Be prepared to provide examples of when results didn’t turn out as you planned. What did you do then? What did you learn? Use your resume to serve as a good guide when answering these questions. Refresh your memory regarding your achievements in the past couple of years. Demonstration of the desired behaviors may be proven in many ways. Use examples from past internships, classes, activities, team involvements, community service and work experience.

Below are some key questions to ask yourself to help you prepare your STAR stories:

1. What are you most proud of in your career?

2. What challenge did you face on the job and what was your approach for solving the situation?

3. In what way did you help your employer save money?

4. In what way did you help your employer increase productivity?

5. What you do save the company time?