potrero view

January 2012

Get A Job

Mauri Schwartz

The View asked Hill resident and career expert Mauri Schwartz to answer questions from job seekers.  Submit your questions to editor@potreroview.net.

 

Q: I have an interview scheduled with a search committee panel for an accounting manager position.  I have a friend who works at the company who isn’t on the committee. I’m taking him out for lunch to get his advice. What should I ask him?

A: I’d ask questions to learn as much as possible about each of the panel members:

—If you know the panel members’ names, ask him about each one:  personality, hot buttons, and the like.  Before you talk with him, do some LinkedIn and Google research.

—If you don’t know who the committee members are, ask your friend who will be/or is likely to be on the panel, and then ask about each one.  Again, go to LinkedIn and Google after your conversation to get some information about their backgrounds.  It’d be good to know if any panel members have a financial/accounting background or education.

—Ask your friend what aspects of your experience he thinks are most relevant.  Tell him your thoughts, and then ask what he thinks.

—Try to determine why the position is open.  If it’s a new position, ask what’s changed with the company that prompted them to create it.  If it’s a replacement, ask what happened to the previous person.  Why did they leave?  If they were let go for a particular reason, such as a lack of the right skills, you should be prepared to emphasize your achievements in that area.

Mauri Schwartz is President / CEO of Career Insiders www.CareerInsiders.com. 

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