With Brexit around the corner, many organisations are looking for procurement professionals who can be proactive and help with sourcing and saving money without compromising quality. So, now is the best time to apply for jobs and get an interview offer. But it is prudent to remember that the company or recruiter will be interviewing several candidates and your aim should be to stand out from the crowd so that you get the job offer of your dreams.
Here are some tips to help you make an impression during a procurement job interview:
Learn about the company
Research the company so that you know its target market, the products and services it offers, and the kind of sourcing or procurement it handles. Ensure your knowledge is thorough so that you can display it when the interviewer asks you about the business or its procurement.
Study the company’s website, trade journals and magazines. If you know current employees, touch base with them and get answers to your questions.
When you come prepared, it shows that you are a go-getter and plan ahead because you care about the results. It will create a positive impression and increase your chances of getting an offer.
Be yourself
Do not put on an act during the interview. Instead, be yourself. It is not about being unprofessional or impolite, but being authentic and showing your true self will create an impression during the interview. Speak about your passions and interests while highlighting areas of improvement. The interviewer will appreciate your honesty, having had to deal with many fake personas while trying to find the right candidate.
Transform the interview into a conversation
Thinking that the interview is a question-and-answer session is far from the truth. It can be a conversation, so make it one by mixing your answers with questions. This way, you can show your knowledge and enthusiasm, and also make the interview interactive. Work questions into your answers and you will get better results than you anticipated.
These are some of the ways to stand out in an interview. Try it and you will not regret it.