My First Interview

[SQ8]

I always make my soon to be employers laugh. Don’t try it if you’re not funny. Anyways, it seems to be more effective than the cookie cutter bullshit they’ve heard for the millionth time.

Humor is part of it but as you hit senior roles reporting directly to c-suite then you need substance.

 

[Goritoes]

1. Tell them what makes your skillset and past experience (regardless of the exact role you have soft skills and industry experience)

2. Learn what those KPIs are - what terms are relevant, what experience you have in the past with SAP or other CRMs is relevant and how that experience of yours you enhanced processes there.

3. Lastly, I used this line on my current employer - there is likely a person who knows SAP better, and CRMs better - and knows inventory management and associated KPIs better.. and has more experience in the varied industries you have as well…


Good luck finding that imaginary person!

You’re in front of them

I don't have any experience on SAP, I would love to learn it. But I do have decent knowledge about KPI's, never really worked in Inventory or Supply Chain. But that Is something they know, because the guy who offered me this job and forwarded my name/resume to HR also knew that, I worked with him on Inventory in Samsung so I have basic idea how they do things (Not the best Inventory management) not gonna lie, but I believe with right approach and right people they can definitely improve.

 

[lastofthepatriots]

Humor is part of it but as you hit senior roles reporting directly to c-suite then you need substance.

Humor is the opener. Then you get to business. It helps you stand out in the interviewer’s memory.

 

[gambit]

Tomorrow is a big day for me as I have a interview schedule for Samsung as KPI Inventory Specialist, I really want this job because when I was there I had the chance to do work on their inventory for a couple of days, the work is interesting and the best part is to work on software's like CRM and SAP, I am a bit nervous but excited as well. Any Tips and suggestions will be much appreciated as this is the first full panel Interview I will be giving in the USA.

@gambit @jhungary @SQ8 @lastofthepatriots @VCheng @Hamartia Antidote @PakFactor

If this a first interview, then most likely it will focus on you, specifically your personality, ie 'Can I work with this person?'. The subtext is whether you are a fit for the dept or not.

If you passed the first, the second interview will be more technically focused. Whatever software are involved with the position, you will be asked about them. Today, PC proficiency is a given, so of course they are going to assume you know how to use the keyboard/mouse. So whatever software are in daily usage, you will be assessed on them. Just as they presumed that you know how to start up a PC and login, they will expect you to know how to start those software, open files, manipulate data, etc...etc...As with any task that involves skills, they will start probing to see if you know tips, shortcuts, or even some arcane features that users with about five yrs experience would know.

For example...

When I interview prospective Production candidates for our Engineering Techs group, essentially an in-house promotion, Linux experience is 'highly recommended' as a skill. Whenever a skill is 'highly recommended' it mean required so watch for this. We do not expect the candidate to know Linux but at least we want to know if the candidate is willing to take on unknown knowledge/skill. That is important and something you want to convey -- the willingness to learn new skills. Your current technical skills of whatever software are highly indicative of that drive. Also, do not sweat it if you do not know some tips, shortcuts, or arcane features that just about all software have. I use Excel for yrs but someone out of Excel training would put me to waste.

Be on the alert for a 'BS' question, meaning a question that most likely you do not know the answer and they want to see if you would 'BS' them, so answer all questions honestly and be prepared to put forth that you are not deterred by the unknown, and if in your history you have a situation where you learned a new skill and made changes, bring it up and details matter. In my case, many yrs ago I changed a hardware qualification process from 1.5 shift down to 1.5 hrs, then I convinced the dept to move the new process down to Production and made the Engineering group advisory, and I explained what happened in my interview. The process was eventually obsoleted but at that time, it improved wafer out per shift. So if you have anything similar, bring it. If you made a change, it mean you recognized a need, seen a few flaws, and came up with a solution. Everyone want to see that.

Good luck...

 

[Goritoes]

Have confidence, things will turn out well. Most experienced interviewers don’t always look for the correct answer, but how your approach will be to identify a problem and steps taken to rectify it.

There are two Korean guys who are/were happy with me, but there is another white dude on the top he wasn't very fond of me, because when I used to work as Quality Control, I always do my part way faster than many hence I got free time in which I often help others. But there is a hope because that guy who don't like me that much has nothing to do with Inventory, he is the Group lead for Supervisors hence he has little to no interference in Inventory.

 

[SQ8]

I don't have any experience on SAP, I would love to learn it. But I do have decent knowledge about KPI's, never really worked in Inventory or Supply Chain. But that Is something they know, because the guy who offered me this job and forwarded my name/resume to HR also knew that, I worked with him on Inventory in Samsung so I have basic idea how they do things (Not the best Inventory management) not gonna lie, but I believe with right approach and right people they can definitely improve.

two roles ago (seems like a lifetime) … a recruiter found me and eventually I was speaking to the president of the organization.. after the usual chit chat he was like you’re an outstanding candidate and all but you don’t have this industry experience ..
So I agreed but said I have unmatched experience in GSD.

He was like what is GSD..

I said I Get Shit Done…
And I was on a flight to Chicago the next week for my orientation

Humor is the opener. Then you get to business. It helps you stand out in the interviewer’s memory.

Rapport - be it humor or otherwise.
You have to be someone that they can work with.

 

[Goritoes]

two roles ago (seems like a lifetime) … a recruiter found me and eventually I was speaking to the president of the organization.. after the usual chit chat he was like you’re an outstanding candidate and all but you don’t have this industry experience ..
So I agreed but said I have unmatched experience in GSD.

He was like what is GSD..

I said I Get Shit Done…
And I was on a flight to Chicago the next week for my orientation


Rapport - be it humor or otherwise.
You have to be someone that they can work with.

I am not bad at humor myself, but I gotta see the overall mood of the interview itself, If that Korean guy is part of interview that will be helpful cause he is a friend and I worked with him a lot on both Quality and Inventory. As for their systems/Ticketing/Inventory/ I have pretty good idea.
I already told the Korean dude I am looking for a long term career with a company, and that is what he is looking for because I only worked there for 1 year and 3 months and they had 2 different KPI inventory specialist.

If this a first interview, then most likely it will focus on you, specifically your personality, ie 'Can I work with this person?'. The subtext is whether you are a fit for the dept or not.

If you passed the first, the second interview will be more technically focused. Whatever software are involved with the position, you will be asked about them. Today, PC proficiency is a given, so of course they are going to assume you know how to use the keyboard/mouse. So whatever software are in daily usage, you will be assessed on them. Just as they presumed that you know how to start up a PC and login, they will expect you to know how to start those software, open files, manipulate data, etc...etc...As with any task that involves skills, they will start probing to see if you know tips, shortcuts, or even some arcane features that users with about five yrs experience would know.

For example...

When I interview prospective Production candidates for our Engineering Techs group, essentially an in-house promotion, Linux experience is 'highly recommended' as a skill. Whenever a skill is 'highly recommended' it mean required so watch for this. We do not expect the candidate to know Linux but at least we want to know if the candidate is willing to take on unknown knowledge/skill. That is important and something you want to convey -- the willingness to learn new skills. Your current technical skills of whatever software are highly indicative of that drive. Also, do not sweat it if you do not know some tips, shortcuts, or arcane features that just about all software have. I use Excel for yrs but someone out of Excel training would put me to waste.

Be on the alert for a 'BS' question, meaning a question that most likely you do not know the answer and they want to see if you would 'BS' them, so answer all questions honestly and be prepared to put forth that you are not deterred by the unknown, and if in your history you have a situation where you learned a new skill and made changes, bring it up and details matter. In my case, many yrs ago I changed a hardware qualification process from 1.5 shift down to 1.5 hrs, then I convinced the dept to move the new process down to Production and made the Engineering group advisory, and I explained what happened in my interview. The process was eventually obsoleted but at that time, it improved wafer out per shift. So if you have anything similar, bring it. If you made a change, it mean you recognized a need, seen a few flaws, and came up with a solution. Everyone want to see that.

Good luck...

CRM/SAP/GMES and Excel, I know GMES (Samsung) because I already worked on it, have Average knowledge of Excel because of my Accounting background, had to work on many many balance sheets and spread sheets and Income statements, but Excel is something that scare me a lot.

I have above average knowledge of Computers so I can use that as my advantage, if its something that helps me in this job, Plus they already told me there will be a training period which is relaxing, Even if they offer a month long training that is more than enough for me to catch up with their procedures because as I keep mentioning I already have basic Idea of their Inventory management systems.

 

[gambit]

I am not bad at humor myself, but I gotta see the overall mood of the interview itself, If that Korean guy is part of interview that will be helpful cause he is a friend and I worked with him a lot on both Quality and Inventory. As for their systems/Ticketing/Inventory/ I have pretty good idea.
I already told the Korean dude I am looking for a long term career with a company, and that is what he is looking for because I only worked there for 1 year and 3 months and they had 2 different KPI inventory specialist.

Be careful with the humor. Potential for misunderstanding from a cultural perspective. Can be a minefield.

...Plus they already told me there will be a training period which is relaxing, Even if they offer a month long training that is more than enough for me to catch up with their procedures because as I keep mentioning I already have basic Idea of their Inventory management systems.

If whatever software skills you have that are translatable to that training regime, point out how that would shorten the training period. Make it more like 'acclimatization' or familiarization instead of 'training'. Whenever someone is in 'training', that is not a money making time for the employer. Essentially, you consume but not produce, but the company still has to pay you. So if you are confident that you can take on the position, show them how soon can you become a producer. If there are multiple candidates, that might just be the break in your favor.

 

[Skull and Bones]

There are two Korean guys who are/were happy with me, but there is another white dude on the top he wasn't very fond of me, because when I used to work as Quality Control, I always do my part way faster than many hence I got free time in which I often help others. But there is a hope because that guy who don't like me that much has nothing to do with Inventory, he is the Group lead for Supervisors hence he has little to no interference in Inventory.

Never trust Koreans, in my academic career I have came across many Korean Academics/researchers, they are all laugh and smiles on your face, and will fcuk you over the moment you'll turn around.

 

[dbc]

Tomorrow is a big day for me as I have a interview schedule for Samsung as KPI Inventory Specialist, I really want this job because when I was there I had the chance to do work on their inventory for a couple of days, the work is interesting and the best part is to work on software's like CRM and SAP, I am a bit nervous but excited as well. Any Tips and suggestions will be much appreciated as this is the first full panel Interview I will be giving in the USA.

@gambit @jhungary @SQ8 @lastofthepatriots @VCheng @Hamartia Antidote @PakFactor

frankly I don't know much about the corporate culture over at Samsung. But it will help if you research their mission statement, values and history. If you align naturally with their mission and core values it will help differentiate you from the other candidates. If there are women in the panel be careful what you say, a hint of female stereotyping will result in a very short interview. Also, diversity and inclusion is a theme across Western corporations so if you have opinions on the subject - keep it to yourself.

...and for god's sake don't ever tell them you're a member on PDF.

 

[Olympus81]

Practice with your mate. Role play or something.

And when you interview, slow down, breath, and answer slowly.

Keep in mind your body language matters as well.

A friend of mine, would j*rk off before going for interviews. Say it helps him, I guess to each his own.

 

[RIP Pak LAW]

Do update us how it went once you are done with it. All the best!

 

[Goritoes]

Never trust Koreans, in my academic career I have came across many Korean Academics/researchers, they are all laugh and smiles on your face, and will fcuk you over the moment you'll turn around.

Be careful with the humor. Potential for misunderstanding from a cultural perspective. Can be a minefield.

Oh Definitely, I am expecting a diverse Panel with Korean/Black and a white lady. I know their HR a little to well as I spend a lot of time there, because while there I kept going there to ask them when will they be coming off from Hire Freeze.

...and for god's sake don't ever tell them you're a member on PDF.

hahah that would be funny, but I doubt that Koreans have any interest in PDF, in their own words " We work 5 days, than on weekends we eat and get drunk " that's it lol.

Do update us how it went once you are done with it. All the best!

Will do that tomorrow when I return from work, my Interview is in the Afternoon.

 

[Olympus81]

There is a Dua, I usually do before public speaking, presentation and interviews.

The same Dua Prophet Musa made before Pharoah to free the Israelites. You can search on google, Dua before speech.

Roughly translates to Lord expand my breast and ease my task. Untie the knot from my tongue that they understand my speech.

 

[R2D2]

You can also go from Quality Control to Quality Assurance to become a Consultant.