We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What are your best tips for preparing for Supply Chain Interviews?
Here is what they shared:
- Understand Your Environment and Systems
- Focus On Industry Goals and Technology
- Target Specific Companies or Roles
- Ask Insightful Role and Organization Questions
- Practice Interview Skills
- Demonstrate Data Analysis Proficiency
- Conduct Thorough Company Research
- Stand Out in the Interview
- Address Interviewer’s Concerns and Feedback
Understand Your Environment and Systems
In your new Supply Chain role, there’s no way around having a good grasp of your environment. If the role is more managerial, know how your function relates to others in the company, such as marketing, HR, IT systems, etc. Also, research who the strategic suppliers/customers are and explore how their relationship with the company may be (reflect on current challenges and opportunities).
If the role is more technical, get a sense of the different systems you may use: TMS, Control Towers, WMS, ERPs, AGV, Robotics, etc., and how they relate to each other. If you can get your hands on some popular programs and learn the basics (demos, student versions, etc.), that may land you a job seamlessly.
Miguel Martinez Gaspar, Graduate Assistant ‘19, Lead Supply Chain Optimization Consultant, Freelance/H.E.B.
Focus On Industry Goals and Technology
Focusing on the fundamental goals and vision of the industry they are applying to is my recommendation for new supply chain professionals. The most desirable trait of new applicants is knowledge of, if not actual skill in, current automation and AI Supply Chain technologies, which will change the sector sooner than most predict.
Hassan Alhashem, Bachelor’s Degree Purchasing ‘18, Supply Chain Support Group Leader, Saudi Aramco
Target Specific Companies or Roles
When looking for jobs post-graduation, I recommend searching for companies or roles that you already have an interest in. Be specific while applying for jobs, avoid applying for everything business-related, and settle for any offer.
By applying for companies that you already know, it will be easier to talk about the trends and news during the interview. If it’s a company that you already do business with, you can showcase your understanding and passion for the company, making the interview more engaging both for you and the interviewer.
Yu Chieh Wang, Bachelor in Supply Chain Management ‘19, Assembly Site Planner, Micron Technology
Ask Insightful Role and Organization Questions
Take advantage of the captive audience that you have, and use the opportunity to ask poignant, detailed questions about the role and organization.
Role questions:
- What does success in this role look like?
- What tasks and goals would you want your chosen candidate to accomplish in their first month/quarter/year?
It is important to use the interviewer as a lens into the company, and also see if they align with who you are.
Organizational questions:
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What drew you to work here, and what keeps you?
- If you could make one change within the department/division/organization, what would it be?
Always remember that while the hope in an interview is that you impress the organization, they have just as much responsibility to impress you. You should value what you bring to the table, so don’t settle for a role or company unless you are certain that it is the best possible fit for you.
Cameron Monkelien, Master of Business Administration ‘17, Production Planning Manager, Fairlife Inc.
Practice Interview Skills
Practice your interviewing skills! Have a friend, family member, or Career Coach sit you down and conduct a mock interview with various questions, and treat it like the real thing. Or, look up some common interview questions for that job, video record your answers, and watch them back. Give yourself feedback, apply it, and do it again! You’ll improve your ability to answer tough questions with confidence and at a moment’s notice.
Rosalie Mace, BS Supply Chain Management and Business Sustainability, Associate Functional Consultant, ArchLynk
Demonstrate Data Analysis Proficiency
To uncover problems in the supply chain, it is necessary to evaluate different data sets. As you prepare for a supply chain interview, make sure you have 1-2 examples of how you’ve used data to drive a business insight or identify a defect that could be fixed to improve results.
Excel and Power BI/Tableau are very important tools for analyzing data and providing visualizations to help derive insights quickly. Be sure to share any experience you have with these tools and how you can leverage data to drive results.
Being able to take masses of data and identify how you can make an improvement is key to supply chain success.
Julie Oxner, MBA Business Administration and Management ‘05, SVP Business Intelligence (RGM, E-commerce, and Supply Chain), Acosta Group
Conduct Thorough Company Research
To excel in an interview, particularly for a supply chain position, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the company you’re applying to. Conduct extensive research to determine the company’s operations, methods, and position within the industry.
Attempt to identify the individuals with whom you’ll be interviewing by searching for them on LinkedIn, and aim to establish a personal connection during the interview.
Since each company’s supply chain is unique, contact mid-level staff ahead of time to gather insights into the organizational structure and supply chain processes.
Garrett Stephenson, BA Business (Law) ‘17, Supply Chain Project Manager, Becton Dickinson
Stand Out in the Interview
You want to leave a positive, lasting impression on the hiring manager(s). A great way to do that is by making your interview unique. A great example of this is when asked about your skills or previous work experience, take your response one step further and describe how you would apply it to the position you are applying for.
This shows you take initiative, and it gets the hiring manager to envision you in the role, which is exactly what you want to happen. Another thing you can do is highlight any creative, outside-the-box solutions you’ve had in prior roles or during your studies.
The supply chain field is very complex, so people that think differently are highly sought-after. Do your research and ask at least one specific question about the company. This will score you some points and help set you apart from other candidates.
Robb Krausmann, MBA Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management ‘19, Manager and Supply Chain Optimization, CHEP
Address Interviewer’s Concerns and Feedback
At the end of an interview, you can help the interviewer picture you in the role while also giving you an opportunity to address any concerns the interviewer may have by asking, “Do you have any hesitations about my ability to fulfill the role successfully?” This allows you a chance to clear up any misunderstandings, explain your qualifications, and show that you’re open to feedback.
Liz Anthony, BS Marketing and Supply Chain Management, Director and Supply Chain, Microsoft
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