Expert’s Corner: How to advance your supply career…

31 October 2011

In this day of instant messaging, real time supply management and sophisticated IT systems, one has to be prepared for any thing at any time. It’s no different with one’s career.

Consider these scenarios…

1. A former work colleague calls and wants to introduce you to their new boss. Their organization is building an exciting new Supply division and looking to hire a bright, intelligent supply professional like you. You really have to grab the boss’s interest in you as a substantial - must not get away, addition to the new team.

2. An unplanned and sudden internal job opening could also present itself, that would advance your career from within. Your boss could recommend you as a perfect candidate for the job. Would you be able to communicate your past contributions to the company, and how your particular skillset would fit perfectly into the role?

3. A recruiter calls with a supply position that sounds tailor made and gives you a dramatic career boost that you’ve been working hard toward for years. Would you be able to say the right things and quickly present your case, as to why you should be considered further and presented to their ‘hard to please’ client?

Professional Supply practitioners, are not only committed to the notion of continuous learning but continually growing and advancing in their careers as well, and are always prepared for situations such as these.

See if you can answer the following questions.

Are you prepared to answer your own toughest interview questions ? Why do you want to leave? What are your greatest strengths….? What are your career aspirations in the next 3 – 5 years. Don’t let these hard questions destroy your confidence and your chance at that career opportunity. Sit down and think about what your hardest questions might be, and be prepared how to best answer them.

Can you list your top three (or more) accomplishments and can you convey their impact to your employer’s bottom line performance? A clear and concise description of your top accomplishments can offer a way for a potential employer to equate your skills with their needs and a leave a lasting impression.

Do you know the interviewer’s requirements and needs for the position? How would you know if your answers are actually hitting the mark of what they are looking for in a superior supply chain candidate? Only once you’ve researched the firm and the particular job opportunity, can you can target your answers accordingly for ultimate impact.

Can you concisely convey your value proposition in a minute or less? Does your skills, experience, education, and industry knowledge make you the top candidate for this job? This is your ultimate answer to the ‘why should we hire YOU for this opportunity’ question.

Have an up to date resume handy, complete with your latest responsibilities, achievements, and educational credits ready at all times. Practice your interviewing skills with a friend or at least consider those ‘tough to answer’ questions. Keep in touch with your references a couple of times a year, to let them know how you’re doing and whether or not you’re in an ‘active search’ mode.

And above all else, when opportunity knocks you need to ’BE PREPARED!’

Tim Moore is President of Tim Moore Associates (www.timmooreassociates.com) a national recruitment firm specializing solely in Supply Chain professionals, for over 15 years. Tim is an accomplished writer, speaker and trainer, and continues to be an invited member and contributor on various academic and professional committees including (but is not limited to): Sheridan College’s Program Advisory Committee (PAC) on Business Process Management - Graduate Certificate program (supply focus), the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC), and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) – Supply Chain Occupational Standards Development Committee. Tim's background also includes working with several of Canada's most respected charities including the United Way and he has also served as Chairman of the Board of Centennial College's Self Employment Assistance (SEA) Program which fosters and develops new entrepreneurs in the Toronto area.