I got laid...

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Japher
Yeah, the one on Monday went that way. It was a relief when you got some guy who liked to talk about himself. If they tend to ask the same question over and over I like to answer them in slightly different ways. That way I cover all my bases

You have to be part salesman, part politician.

[Japher]

selling yourself is hard, unless you're arrogant

any recipe requests for me to work on?

I've finally got a backed Mac n' Cheese to how I like it.

[Asher]

selling yourself is hard, unless you're arrogant

Was gonna say, it's so easy...

[Japher]

We'd expect nothing less.

[Japher]

here's one thing that is bugging me about my interview on Monday;

The job is for a project manager position, so results, conflict management, and bird dogging are important emphasis. I know I am weak at conflict management. I can argue my way out of a paper bag, but only because I am so focus on deliverables and quality results. In my follow up letter I emphasised my dedication to delivering quality results in a timely fashion. And, in the interview, as response to a question, I indicated that I would request training for conflict management as that is were I see being weakest.

Did I mess up? Should I somehow indicate that I am "OK" at handling conflict, but would really want to be better if that was a core discipline of the job?

I don't think it's an end all, because I shined on the other two disciplines and also have the pharma background and technical education that is hard to find for such roles. I am just wondering if I should send an e-mail to the hiring managers (not the whole interview team) and express something that would smooth any concerns over, or would that sound desperate?

[Caligastia]

The only weakness you should admit to is being a perfectionist - which isn't much of a weakness.

Don't send the email though, it will probably end up sounding desperate. Hopefully they don't need someone with a lot of conflict management skill.

[Asher]

That's terribly cliched.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Mr Snuggles
That's terribly cliched.

I never actually use the word perfectionist - just describe it.

[Japher]

I think I covered it as well as I could, so thanks. I go through ups and downs rethinking the interviews, and I usually end up exaggerating stuff in my head at one point or another.

I generally say my weakness is impatience, and my greatest strength is my bulging, huge, biceps... uh, yeah, biceps.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Good luck Japher! You'll be all right when all is said and done. It might take a little longer but people need good workers, and you're one of those.

[-Jrabbit]

Don't send an email to "correct" yourself, Japher. That way lies madness. Just do your normal follow-up to see if they've made a decision, or when to expect one. That reinforces your intestest and keeps you top-of-mind.

[Provost Harrison]

But whatever you do in the letter, don't spell "interest" as "intestest"

[-Jrabbit]

Excellent advice, Provost!

[McCrea]

Originally posted by Japher
The job is for a project manager position,

Did I mess up? Should I somehow indicate that I am "OK" at handling conflict, but would really want to be better if that was a core discipline of the job?

I think perhaps you messed up, but that doesn't mean much. You want to know if you messed up "too much", which only the hirer can say.

Conflict resolution is a core in any management position. Project management? What if there is a conflict between the deadline and the amount of work that needs to be done? Conflict resolution is the job.

Find an analogy that you are competent at for next time.

Sorry to nay-say, but my intent is constructive.

[Japher]

Thanks. I did tell them that if a conflict arises and it's my responsibility to settle it that I would take the route that would land me the best result the quickest. If someone had a problem with that I would talk with them one on one and not in a room full of people who oppose them. I find that some project managers try to convince you by consensus, and while it works that can seem like bullying and doesn't create a sense of teamwork or fair play.

The response I gave that made me concerned was to a question of "what do you think would give you the most challenge in this position, as you understand it." I was honest, probably to my detriment. I also explained that my concern was more so due to my unfamiliarity with the situation I will be put in; internal vs. external clients. The hiring manager's response to my answer was 'if you thought you could handle the job without issue I would think I didn't explain the job right. No one has all the skills to do this job unless you are doing this job.'

I think pharmaceutical project management is a lot different than pm'ing other projects or industries. Conflict management would still be core, but if you have never had the experience you can't really lie your way through that.


Looking at my notes, here's the 4 things they look for in a candidate apart from a pharma background, x years experience, education requirements (MBA preferred); multi-tasking, results driven, client interaction, quickly acquire a broad knowledge (since projects change). Of those 4 I am fine at all, weakest a conflict management which I think would fall between client interaction and results driven. So I guess I never said I suck at one of their core requirements, just could use some help at one facet of them.