Submitted by pegman on
in
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After recently getting some feedback from an interview I was wanting to get views/comments on a query or three I have:
This was an informal chat over a coffee to gain a sense of whether we had a meeting of minds and, if so, a formal interview would proceed. After introductions and ordering beverages the chat started with a overview of the role (project based) and the broader organisation. Once that was covered I was asked what i would look to implement/roll-out by month 1 and then month 3. I felt I answered that question well and proceeded to explain my previous experience including some specific examples and also more general observations. After that I asked a couple of probing questions on specifics of the role and also the specifics of the skill set they are seeking. This question lead to further discussion on effective communication and stakeholder engagement where I proceeded to give examples of what i had done in previous roles to manage these key responsibilities. The chat was finalised with the interviewer giving some more details of what is needed to be implemented in order for the project to succeed and he expressed an interest in a formal interview.
Overall I felt the chat/interview went well and was able to articulate my experience/skill set in a manner that aligned very well with the role. The feedback I received was in the main positive (confident, articulate and has a good consulting style) but the interviewer felt I was not able to effectively communicate specific experience/skills that match the role and he concluded I was not the right man. I was initially surprised at this feedback and felt slightly aggrieved as I felt I had answered his questions well and where applicable (as i did find the questions very generic) I was able to give specific examples of what i had implemented previously in similar roles.
My queries are as follows..
1. Although the questions asked of me were very generic was I remiss in not providing details details details? Should I have been proactive throughout the interview and provided detailed examples/experiences/situations even though i was not in fact specifically asked for that?
2. Is it ignorant to think that simply answering the interviewers questions is enough. Should I be selling my experience more by providing information not directly attributable to an interview question.
3. Any other comments...always looking to learn!
Focusing on Accomplishments and Communications Plan
It seems the interviewer was focusing on two matters. Your experience in building a communications plan and your ability to include specific accomplishments as examples when answering (as you say "generic") questions.
In your long paragraph above it appears the questions asked about how you would build a communications plan for the project to involve all stakeholders. MT provides a sample communications plan: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/01/managerial-communications Also, take a look at the cast on Stakeholder Analysis
Second, it is possible that the interviewer was probing to learn more about *how* some of your accomplishments were achieved. Nevertheless, if you do not already own the Interviewing Series then I encourage you to make the investment. The counsel offered is quite specific on how to tie accomplishments to interviewer questions.
Finally, maintain the relationship with the interviewer. This person appears to have invested substantial time and effort in getting to know you so--be professional, maintain the relationship and you may be a great fit for a better position down the road. You never know!