yahtzee's picture Submitted by yahtzee on
in

Forums

Career Management

I just got word that my next interview with my #1 targeted job is this Thursday!!! I have 3 internal champions at this company who are supporting me, including one person that will be a peer, should, I mean when I get this job. I have been told that the first year is a grueling and tumultuous part of life at this company due to how they pay and how many people want to work there. I have few thoughts:

My annual quota as a manager will be north of $50M. The most I have ever managed is approx. $500K/annually. The two comparisons are not to scale (not even close) but it will nevertheless be a jump. My intention is to talk about how I plan to scale up to that number by using my account managers and their relationships with their partners (VAR's). Any other suggestions?

I have also learned that people that take this job usually end up at other jobs within the company (laterally or demotion) due to the intensity of the position. What is the best way to address my concern for the high turnover?

Lastly, the person I am meeting with will ultimately be my manager. I am told by an internal employee that positions like I am applying for are a couple levels higher than what I am used to at my previous employer. Needless to say, I am slightly intimidated (just because I know that I wouldn't be considered for a position 2 levels higher than my last one). I am going after it head on but want to make sure my bases are covered. Any insight would be great.

Thanks,

Yahtzee

yahtzee's picture
Submitted by yahtzee on Monday March 10th, 2008 10:31 pm

Also, what would be some good questions to ask during the interview? I have purchased the Interview series a few weeks ago and have reviewed it multiple times. Any addtl insight?

Chelle's picture
Submitted by Chelle on Tuesday March 11th, 2008 1:45 am

Hey Yahtzee,

Congrats and Good luck!

I just read this message after replying to your resume review post. I just happened to have read this post recently, wendii listed a lot of questions to ask recruiters - hopefully something will be of help to you.

[url]http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1654&highlight=inter...

wendii's picture
Admin Role Badge
Submitted by wendii on Tuesday March 11th, 2008 3:44 am

Yahtzee,

to take your questions in turn:

[quote]My annual quota as a manager will be north of $50M. The most I have ever managed is approx. $500K/annually. The two comparisons are not to scale (not even close) but it will nevertheless be a jump. My intention is to talk about how I plan to scale up to that number by using my account managers and their relationships with their partners (VAR's). [/quote]

This sounds like a great answer to me: You've thought about their risk in taking you for this role, and how you will overcome it. I guarantee most interviewees will stumble on this question.

[quote]I have also learned that people that take this job usually end up at other jobs within the company (laterally or demotion) due to the intensity of the position. What is the best way to address my concern for the high turnover? [/quote]

I'd be surprised if they mention it - unless it's one of those 'work hard, play hard' type management consultancies. Being proud of burning people out is not good PR! However, an example of how you have coped with tough situations or periods of high stress before would be useful to have in case they do ask.

[quote]Lastly, the person I am meeting with will ultimately be my manager. I am told by an internal employee that positions like I am applying for are a couple levels higher than what I am used to at my previous employer. Needless to say, I am slightly intimidated (just because I know that I wouldn't be considered for a position 2 levels higher than my last one). I am going after it head on but want to make sure my bases are covered. [/quote]

Sometimes we interview people who are going for an Exec role who arn't quite ready. Or who are moving from our lowest exec role to the next one up - there's quite a difference in behaviour between the two and sometimes people just arn't quite there. But as an interviewer there's nothing more fun than seeing someone who is passionate about the job, who's really thought about it and who you can see will be there in 6 months. It makes you feel like you've found a diamond in the rough, and you will do anything to help that person.

Don't psych yourself out. They would not interview you if there was not a chance you were the right person for this role. But also know that passion and diamond glimmers inspire other people and even if this job is not yours, something great will be if you can show that spark.

I hope that helps.

Wendii

asteriskrntt1's picture
Submitted by asteriskrntt1 on Friday March 14th, 2008 6:28 pm

Wendii,

You are awesome.

Yahtzee, try planting this seed in yourself before you interview. Why would they be interviewing me if they did not think I could do the job?

If your toughts about turnover come up, turn it around on them and ask "Of the people who have been very successful in this role, what characteristics/attributes etc have differentiated them from those who were not successful?" They will essentially tell you what they want in a candidate and you can frame your answers around them.

All the prep you are doing is awesome. Good luck!

*RNTT