| Would you consider yourself a job interview expert? | | | | - What is the current volume of product that is |
| If not, you can breathe a sigh of relief as not many | | | | shipped out? |
| of your competitors would either. What makes an | | | | - Is this volume trending higher, lower, or about the |
| expert? I have written previously about preparing for | | | | same as last year? How about the last five years? |
| the job interview by doing research, reviewing the | | | | - What is the forecast for the next 12 months? Next |
| company's website, understanding their mission | | | | three years? |
| statement, and knowing their business model and | | | | - How does this position/department relate to the |
| who their target audience is. The real question is...do | | | | rest of the distribution center? |
| you know the bigger picture? | | | | - Which departments interact with this position the |
| Once you schedule the job interview, your primary | | | | most frequently? What is this current relationship, |
| objective becomes to advance the sale (this is a | | | | and how can we improve it? |
| sales transaction) which is to say earn the job offer. | | | | The point is that the best candidate will ask these |
| Your competitors are most likely conducting similar | | | | questions at the job interview to understand the |
| research as you. The majority of candidates focus | | | | bigger picture of how this position affects the rest of |
| their attention on the job itself. Sounds logical, yet | | | | the organization. Asking these questions will shed light |
| the ideal candidate will go beyond. They will work to | | | | on potential challenges, which will allow you to begin |
| learn how this specific position fits in the broader | | | | thinking of positive solutions that will ultimately lead to |
| business and how it affects the bottom line. | | | | improving the functionality of the whole center. |
| Let us say for example, that you are applying for a | | | | Just asking questions about the position proves to be |
| warehouse distribution center supervisor. You have | | | | shortsighted. Even if you are applying for an entry |
| reviewed the website and have a general | | | | level position, you will impress your audience by |
| understanding of the region this center serves. You | | | | approaching the job interview from the perspective |
| drove by, so you have a sense of the size of the | | | | that you are there to help lay the foundation for |
| operation. You know from the job description which | | | | overall company success. Every position has a role in |
| software system they use, the primary functions of | | | | this. From customer service (which is critical to |
| the position, etc. You have previously worked in | | | | developing/retaining customers), to product fulfillment, |
| distribution centers and know how to manage | | | | (which ultimately has a role in meeting/exceeding the |
| employees, how to schedule efficiently, work with a | | | | customer's expectations), every single person has a |
| union (if necessary), etc. Yet, what you probably do | | | | big picture responsibility. |
| not know are answers to questions like: | | | | |