Page 93 - Boost Your Hiring

The Manager’s Hiring IQ Test 79

INTERVIEWER’S QUESTION
36. Describe your experience working with global markets by
giving me an example of a project you worked on.
Which response actually answers the question? Which answer
should you be wary of? Are there any red flags?

(A) “I provided technical problem resolution and ensured effective
coordination of activities in every job that I have held regard-
less of what market I have worked in. I have also gained a rep-
utation within the manufacturing industry as a key player
when it comes to hard bargaining and negotiating both nation-
ally and internationally. In my last two jobs I was able to save
the companies several thousands of dollars by negotiating
savvy business deals.”
(B) “I was involved in a project in which I had to work closely with
an international team to collaborate the planning of technical
standards. Because there was a nine-hour time difference, we
agreed on times that would be agreeable to both teams for reg-
ular meetings. Next, we agreed to use whatever technology
was available to us. If we weren’t e-mailing or faxing, we had a
lot of telephone conferences and some video meetings. When-
ever we had a meeting, I would make sure that several types of
communication were used in case one hadn’t conveyed the
message. We managed to handle the entire project on a virtual
basis with no travel. This was a big cost savings decision, and it
allowed us the flexibility to do more than one project. In the
end we all agreed that the project was a real growth experi-
ence.”
(C) “My knowledge and experience in this industry encompasses a
total of 10 years. I see real value in my years of experience with
a company that has similar customers and contacts. I have a
broad scope of experience and expertise to pull from to analyze
and solve problems of a broad scope. I have worked with For-
tune 500 companies as well as small start-ups, both in local and
larger global markets. I have also built strong relationships
throughout my career that will help me hit the ground run-
ning at this company.”

I think the strongest answer is _____.