Power Presentation 4
Trend 1: Global Competition
- What does the term global competition mean to you?
This is the worldwide market in which companies will have to struggle to prevail or remain at the top of their game with regard to goods and service delivery. This also calls for individual companies to meet the expectations of the consumers in order for them to prevail over companies that they offer the same goods and services with.
- What experience do you have in dealing with people from other countries
Having schooled and worked with people from several countries in the world, I have come to learn and appreciate their diverse culture as well as a little bit of their
languages
- What involvement does the company you are interviewing with have with companies and markets of different countries?
The company has satellite offices and branches in several countries of the world and with that it has increased production and the ability to easily reach the consumers
- What impact might increase global competition have on the work of the company you are approaching
With increased global completion, chances are that the company might lose out to the emerging competitors and this may lead to reductions in the sales of company products.
Trend 2: The Flattening of Organizational Frameworks
- How does the flattening of organizational frameworks change a person’s access to career ladders in an organization?
This makes it possible for everyone to take part in major organizational decisions and practices thereby positively impacting productivity. His in the long run helps employees develop and grow on the job but limits growth in terms of climbing up the management ladder.
- What does the organizational chart of the company you’re approaching look like?
In the organization chart of the company, the group CEO is at the top, followed by branch managers, their assistants and then the employees.
- Where does the position you are applying for fit on the company’s current organizational chart?
The position that interests me lies on the third level, and this is a branch manager.
Trend 3: Managing Diversity
- What is your ethnic background, and how does that affect the way you view the world?
The ethnic background shapes the way people perceive the world and things done to you more especially when the doer is of another ethnic group or race. For example, getting turned down from a prospective job offer, by someone from another race, one may interpret it as a form of discrimination and not because someone else may have had better qualifications
- How does your being male or female affect the way you view the world and the work place
People of the opposite gender my at times feel intimidated when they don’t get a job that they really wanted more so when one feels that the opposing gender was favored more than your own.
- What stereotype attitudes do you hold about people different from yourself and what can you do to rid yourself of them
Some people look at me and judge me because of my gender. This has been made real by the fact that some opportunities slip by and this could be so because of my gender. But this can change by looking at situations more objectively understanding that other people also stand to get the job offers and that they are more deserving.
- What experiences have you had in working with people different from yourself and how have you managed these relationships
I have been able to relate with people from different backgrounds and cultures and so, I have been able to accommodate them and build a good working relationship.
Trend 4: Understanding and Using Computers
- What kinds of computer hardware and software do you know how to use?
I am able to use all manner of computers, desktops or laptops. In the case of software, I can use any operating system and applications such as word processor, system software and programming software.
- Have you used computers in the past to make a work project more efficient or effective
I have used computers for quite some time now for instance in doing my projects and work related presentations too.
Trend 5: Teams, Teams, teams
- Does the organization you are interviewing with have any formal team development programs (for example quality circles or employee involvement)?
Yes the organization organizes for employees to give their input more so when launching a new product, such input in most cases is relied upon in to ensure that a new product gets a smooth entry into the market and seek means of ensuring maximum sales.
- Have you been involved in work teams in the past or in any sort of organized team activities (for example sports or fundraising)? If so, how successful were you?
Yes I have, I once participated in organizing for a tree planting activity in a park in my town. It was successful as we managed to plant several trees during the occasion.
- What skills do you have that would make you a valuable contributor to an organization’s teamwork (for example group dynamics or interpersonal communication)?
I am good at event organizing and if the team is organizing for an event, I can be valuable in planning and mobilization of resources. I can also do a good proposal that can earn the support of the organization, sponsors and other stakeholders.
Trend 6: The Service Obsession
- List ways in which you have provided extraordinary good service to a customer or client.
I have participated in resolving of complains.
I have also assisted clients and given them my personal contacts through which they can reach me any time they need work related assistance.
- Does the company you are interviewing for have an articulated view on service (for example, in its organizational goals, mission statement, or slogan)? If so, what does that tell you about the company’s approach to service?
The company has chore values and gives priority to customer satisfaction. The interests of customers come first. This is clearly engraved in the company’s policies and mission statement. This then means that as an employee one is tasked to perform well and meet the expectations of the society in order to remain on top of the competition.
- What do you have to say about your appreciation of the importance of service and how can you articulate it in an interview?
Service helps in retaining the clientele and attracts new customers. In an interview, I will give this aspect priority and have a commitment to show that I will always endeavor to come up with creative ways of improving services and bring about even greater customer service.
Trend 7: From Brawn to Brains
- What experience have you had in managing large amounts of information?
It begins with profiling the information which in turn leads to coming up with ways of safeguarding the information depending on their weight. This is where I consider use of systems that require passwords.
- In what ways does the organization you are approaching depend on having up- to- date information? How does it go about getting it?
- What information- gathering and organizing technologies are you familiar with (for example networks or software programs) and how could you use them in your prospective organization
I am familiar with and knowledgeable in using the SPSS software which is used in collecting and analyzing data. I would use it in analyzing data about customer preferences in an effort to make the products better and come up with new ones that can be received well by the consumers.
Trend 8: Quality is Job One
- Does the company you are approaching have an articulated position on the importance of quality (for example, in its mission statement or slogan)? If so, What is the position
It has a commitment of ensuring that its products are the best in so far as quality is concerned and to achieve that, the organization has acquired ISO Certification.
- What experience do you have with quality assurance or quality control? Do you have any stories you can tell about contributing significantly to the quality of the development or delivery of a product or service? What are they?
In all the positions I have held it has always been my job to ensure that I deliver in any capacity. This is a chore value if any organization is to make it in goods and service delivery. I contributed to customer service by taking part in the reception of visitors in an open day event and I went about welcoming guests some of whom were out clients.
Trend 9: The Human Side
- What do you know about what motivates people at work (other than money which is a given), and what examples do you have that show you to be a good motivator of others?
Motivation comes from so many things among them on the job training, incentives for good performance, recognition and even promotions. My appraisal reports show that I have been a good team leader and that is why I am always chosen to lead. Others see this as a good reason to work with me because in so doing we perform and deliver.
- Do you have any experience creating work incentives in an organization? If you don’t what are your ideas about it? If you do, what are some examples?
I don’t have any but given a chance, when a colleague does a nice job, I can organize for a get together to appreciate the colleague. I can ask fellow employees to take part in identifying and purchasing a gift that best suits the persons to be awarded
- What experience do you have in your background that shows you have strong human relations skills?
I relate well with my colleagues and my good communication skills have always come in handy whenever I am called upon to lead and plan any work related event.
Trend 10: Value Added
- What products and/or services does the company you are approaching consider to be its primary source of income?
Capitalization on sales and profits from beverages and confectioneries
- What organizational functions are considered critical to the delivery of the company’s products and/or services?
Distribution so that the manufactured products reach the market/ consumers in good time and at the minimum cost
- What skills do you have to offer that make a direct contribution to this organization’s production and delivery of services?
I am very good at planning and so I am well positioned in ensuring that there are efficient workable programs and operational strategies that will bring about timely production and delivery of goods to the market.
Trend 11” Keep It Clean- Ethics in the Work place
- What is your personal code of ethics for the work place?
Honesty and hard work are key to success and delivering good service not only to my employer but I will be in a position to give back o the society.
- Does the company you are approaching deal with any sensitive areas that might increase the need to a clearly articulated stance on ethics?
Yes, this is so when it comes to all departments, from finance to human resources. This is meant to ensure that the organization adheres to international standards as well as the chore values of service.
- Does the company you are approaching include a statement on ethics in its mission statement or in any other formal literature? If so, what is its position?
Yes it does and this is geared towards hiring competitive individuals who are required at all times to uphold high levels of integrity and professionalism
Trend 12: Risky Business
- What experiences do you have that show you are capable of creative risk taking?
I am a very curious person who always wants to pursue any idea till I see it to fruition. Even in the event of an upcoming interview, I always seek to access information that will enable me evaluate it and make independent decisions as to whether it is worth pursuing.
- How does the company you are approaching view creativity and risk taking? Is there any evidence that these traits are valued in employees?
This company welcomes creativity but holds some reservations for risk taking because of the fear of the uncertainty with which the products can be received by the consumers. Even so, there is a program where employees are encouraged to come up with creative ways meant to improve productivity and marketability of the products.
POWER PREP STRATEGY 5
Organizational Cultures
- Who is the CEO of the company you are approaching and what is the CEO like? (You can gather this information from news clips, informal conversation, networking and so on.
The CEO of the company is called Muhtar Kent, a Turkish- American businessman
- What does the way the building looks like tell you about the organization’s culture?
The design and physical appearance of the organization’s building can tell so much about that organization’s culture. For instance is the building has a heath fitness centre and restaurant, it means that the organization values the health and social well being of its employees. A big and well furnished reception area as well as a well equipped boardroom means that the organization is careful about the image it portrays to its outsiders who are much valued.
- What does the way employees dress tells you?
The employees’ uses formal wear and this therefore shows the seriousness and the formal nature of the working environment.
- What does the setup of offices tell you?
The offices of various officials are strategically located according to the departments. Sister departments are close to each other and this means that the company is closely knit and this encourages teamwork
- What do the internal modes of communication (for example, employee newsletters and bulletin boards) tell you?
Employees and the management get constantly updated on the happenings of the organizations because of the constant release of newsletters and news on the bulletin boards. This means that the organization may be having several departments and that they are interested in knowing all that goes on in there.
- What does the organization’s image tell you?
The organization delivers goods that meet the expectations of their client and therefore it is liked and therefore very competitive
- What does the allocation of resources (who gets what) tell you?
Much of the allocation of funds goes to the production. This means that a lot of weight is given to the product because it is what makes business. The marketing department also gets a substantive amount which means that the way the clientele receives the product does matter a lot.
- What does the reward system tell you about who is valued?
Employees are rewarded according to their performance and input towards ensuring maximum sales which translates to the realization of maximum profits.
Understanding the Interviewer’s Style
- In the discussion on neuro linguistic programming you were told that some people are visual, some auditory and some kinesthetic. What ways do you use to identify the NLP styles?
- Visual- This involves communication or learning by use of the written word as well as non words such as pictures and videos
- Auditory- This is communication or learning that involves listening to words that are spoken
- Kinesthetic- This is communication or learning that involves the physical experience and this best describes the hands- on persons who learn through experience.
- What is your personal NLP style like?
I am a hands- on person. I always want to perfect my skills on the job. This enables me get a good experience as I go about analyzing my way of doing things so that I can work on improving service delivery at the same time.
- In Carl Jung’s mode of types of people you were told that some people are more feeling- oriented and some thinking oriented. You were told that some people are more action- oriented and some more observant. What ways do you use to tell what a person’s orientation is?
- Feeling- oriented- These people focus on human values and tends to persuade and facilitate differences among other people. They function well in groups and tend to bring about harmony.
- Thinking- oriented- Thinkers normally use logic and principle to think over things on their own. They are always critical and analytical besides being able to set clear goals and objectives before embarking on any mission. They put much effort in learning the material or content in question
- Action oriented- These people redirect their attention on the energies in seeing things work out. They always want to act in order for things to move. They have the do it attitude
- Observant- These are people who are keen to detail. They tend to listen to their gut feeling and watch from a distance before they immerse themselves in the real action.
- Which of the four types in Jung’s model most reflects your personal style?
Of all these personalities, I believe I am more of a feeling oriented person. This is so because most of the time I consider other people’s feelings and attitudes so that I don’t get to offend others in my line of duty
- What are the implications of your style on your performance in an interview
My personal style of operation may work for me because I may pass for someone who is highly reliable. In an interview, I will end up making right judgments that will be highly acceptable
MBTI Mini Self- Assessment
- In the MBTI there are four continua. Place yourself with an X on each of the four continua based on your perception of yourself. (Avoid dead center on each scale.)
Extrovert x Introvert
Sensor x Intuitor
Feeler x Thinker
Perceiver x Judger
- What combination of these four continua best describes you?
I am more or an extrovert- Introvert
- What are the implications for you in terms of how you will project yourself in an interview?
As an extrovert, I will really have to work on summarizing my answers so much that I may end up not expressing myself fully.
Worldview
- What is your personal worldview on politics and to what extent is it likely to match or clash with the politics of your interviewer?
Politics is good as it is the source of leadership and it brings the best or worst about people. Whichever way it is perceived in my interviewer organization, given that people support different ideologies, I will be flexible to accommodate other political worldviews that are different from mine; I will be keen enough to separate politics from work.
- Who are your favorite arts figures, what are your favorite arts activities and to what extent are these likely to be accepted and respected where you are being interviewed?
Denzel Washington and Kenny Rogers, I like watching movies and listening to country music. These pastime activities might be appreciated by my employer because they are part of my extra curriculum activities and interests. They will be used to determine me and my attitude towards work and life in general
- What do you know about the major U. S. sports, what is your attitude about sports and what if any metaphors do you use comparing the nature of sports to the nature of business?
I know many Americans subscribe to major sports leagues like NBA and NFL and these leagues have ardent fans. I love sports too and a huge fan of NBA and Olympics. Just like a sport has a place in my heart, I love my job too. This is why I equate sports fanaticism to love for my job, which I spend much of my time doing.
I love my family so much and it has a very special place in my heart. Second to it is my secondary life, where I spend much of my time outside home. I separate family matters from my job. I will keep family matters away from the office and office matters just in the office
I tend to handle money matters as private and therefore should not be discussed openly. This makes the interviewer guess and keep thinking on whether they are meeting my expectations in the form of remuneration. The interviewers will also be in a position of assuming that I am comfortable with whatever that is on offer.
Winning the Interviewer
Overcoming the Differences
My age will be an asset in an interview because it will be a reflection of my rich experience thereby selling me as a strong contender and as a person who has prior knowledge of what is supposed to be done with regard to the job specifications.
- What significance does your socioeconomic background have for your position as an applicant? How can you use it to your advantage?
My socioeconomic background will also positively portray me as a person who will fit so well into the organization because I fit in so well into the economic environment with regard to my fellow employees.
- What significance does your racial background have for who you are?
My racial background has got nothing to do with my capabilities or who I am as a hard working citizen. I take every opportunity as it comes without even thinking of anything racial. I believe that I stand up to the task regardless.
- What do you know about racial differences that can help you connect in an interview with someone of a different race?
There are racial differences that can boost my chance in getting a job. Things like friendships between the interviewer and people from my racial background. Such friendships can make the interviewer have a positive attitude towards me and this can boost my chances of getting the job.
- In what ways does your educational background strengthen or weaken your position as an applicant? How can you compensate for the weakness or capitalize on the strength?
My educational background will greatly boost my position as an applicant. I will capitalize on the fact that I am highly knowledgeable and will therefore stand a good position to deliver and meet the expectations of my employer. I will capitalize on this fact by letting my interviewer know that I am not only competent but also reliable.
- How does your being a man or woman affect your sense of who you are? How does that affect your performance in an interview?
My gender to a huge extent makes me believe that I can deliver on the job. This in turn, will give me confidence in an interview, and also believe in myself that I am the best suited candidate for the job.
- How might your gender influence your chances in an interview? What can you do to neutralize any assessment based on gender?
My gender will come in handy and present me as the best candidate for the job. I will deal with any assessment based on gender by proving myself to be up to the task and that am not intimidated by the gender issue.
POWER PREP STRATEGY 6
- What kinds of products and/or services really excite you?
I am so excited about the production and delivery of beverages and confectioneries to the clientele.
- What size organization do you want to work in? Why?
I would want to work in an exciting and challenging environment. This will make me more competent as such an environment will really work on sharpening my skills to my favor.
- How many and which hours are you willing to work?
I can work for eight hours a day
- How much money do you want? What is the minimum you will accept?
If I go per hour, I would like to get $60 per hour
- What divisions or departments of an organization most interest you?
I am most interested in production and marketing
CHOOSING A WORKING STYLE
- What percentage of your time would you like to focus on each? Why? (Your total should equal 100 percent).
- Mastery 20 %. I would like to be good at my work so that I can deliver and meet the expectations of the organization. This means that I will have to be good enough to be trusted with my duties.
- Exploration 30%. Exploring is a good way of bringing in fresh input into the organization. Given room, I would like to be on the lookout for fresh ideas which I will put into the organization in order to boost productivity. This is a sure way of making it big in the competitive world.
- Protection 20 %. I would like to protect that which is already in the custody of the organization. This is so because I may not want to see our competitors finding out our ways of operations so that they capitalize on them and beat the organization in its own game.
- Caretaking 30 %. I would like to take care of all that is put in my hands. This will portray me as a trustworthy person who can be engaged in all the organization’s operations. This way, I will ensure that I dispatch my duties as expected, as a custodian of the organization.
- Decide how much time you want to spend interviewing in each type and why, (total should equal to 100%)
- The Fortune 20%. I would like to spend enough time sharing on how my input will be beneficial to the organization with regard to making its fortunes. Every organization would want to make maximum profits and therefore, I would like to spend enough time discussing on how my input will be good enough in ensuring that the organization makes the best out of all its expenditures.
- Up-and-coming companies 20%. It’s good to always know about up and coming companies which pause competition. I would not want to look like I do not know much about the trends in regard to up- and – coming companies. I would to show my prowess in this and therefore, substantive time talking about this subject is good enough.
- Support Industries20%.
There is no single firm that can be self reliant in everything. Support industries are key in providing the much needed services and input. These include other firms that supply raw materials, provide transport services, marketing services, financial services such as banks and maintenance services for machinery. Knowing the role of support industries is important in enabling one to decide the criteria to use when outsourcing services and goods from specific firms in the support industries.
- Small businesses20%.
Most small businesses provide the distribution network of finished products to the market. They also provide market intelligence and feedback which can be used to develop new products or improve the existing products so as to satisfy customer needs.
- Choose one question from each of the four categories that most addresses your needs in this interview.
- Question on the future of the organization
What impact might increase global competition have on the work of the company you are approaching?
- Question on the future of the position
What skills do you have to offer that make a direct contribution to this organization’s production and delivery of services?
- Question on expectations
- Question on attitudes about change, growth, and organizational development
What is the most intellectually challenging thing you have done?
