RE: Another question I've had for years...

[Michael Strickland <Mstrickland -at- entriq -dot- com>]

Jim, an EXCELLENT response to such a common question, and one of the most
useful getting-a-job-related posts I've yet seen on this list.

The difference between the generic "I'd pursue them doggedly" and your more
creative reply is like the difference between saying "I'm cost-efficient"
and "I implemented an online help system that reduced our customer service
calls by 37 percent, saving the company $87,000 in the first quarter alone."


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Barrow [mailto:vrfour -at- earthlink -dot- net] 
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 12:15 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Another question I've had for years... 


This one has to do with the interview process.  Specifically, the interview
with the person that will, or will not, hire me.

When recalling all of the interviews that I have had, some questions remain
constant throughout each:

"Was the traffic bad?"
"What do you know about our company?"
"Are you familiar with Microsoft Office?"

There has also been a question that causes me to pause every time:

"How would you get information from subject matter experts that are
being...difficult?  Let's say that they never had the time to speak with
you, or they were reluctant to give you the information that you needed."

Years ago, I usually replied saying that I would pursue these SMEs doggedly.
In the last year, I've softened that response and changed it to say that I
would approach each SME according to his personality type.  For instance, if
an engineer only liked to talk to other engineers, then I would try to show
him that I was taking a real interest in what he was doing.

If another SME liked to talk while he worked, then I would write while he
worked.  If another liked to talk over coffee...well, you get the idea.

Today's question is simple:  Is there a better answer to this question than
the one that I've detailed above?

Thanks,

Jim

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