So you’ve studied logistics and supply chain management, and you’ve started applying for jobs so that you can get started with your career in the supply chain industry. The only thing standing in your way is that dreaded interview! Don’t let this stress you out too much — we’re going to show you how you can ace your logistics and supply chain job interview.

 

Before the interview:

You should do your research about the following:

  • The interviewer (or hiring manager)
  • The requirements of the job
  • The background of the company

The more background knowledge you gather before the interview, the better prepared you will be to answer tricky questions during the interview. You can also enquire about what type of interview you can expect, as this will give you an idea of what to focus on when preparing for the big day.

Because of the wide range of jobs available in this industry, there isn’t a fixed formula you can use when preparing for your interview. You need to pay close attention to the details in the job description, and prepare yourself accordingly.

Think about the types of questions that you can expect in the interview, and prepare your answers in advance. Make sure that you adapt your answers to match the position you are being interviewed for.  A good tip to keep in mind when preparing answers in advance is to put them into a story. This will help you to remember them, and will also help you to sound more natural when answering questions in your interview. You don’t want your answers to sound rehearsed, but you also don’t want to go in completely unprepared.

Make sure that you demonstrate that you have good critical and analytical thinking skills, communication skills, time management skills, and flexibility during the interview process – as these are all required in the supply chain field.

 

On the day of the interview:

Make sure that you arrive on time.  It is important to be punctual — there is no excuse for arriving late to an interview. If possible, try to be there at least 15 minutes before the interview is expected to start, so that you can get settled and mentally prepare yourself.

When you get to the interview venue, switch off your cellphone — the last thing you want to hear is your cellphone ringing in the middle of the interview.

Strive for a professional appearance.  It is a good idea to plan out your outfit the evening before, making sure that it fits properly and that it is clean and neat enough for a job interview. You want to remember to keep make-up and jewellery to a minimum, as you don’t want the interviewer to be distracted by your appearance.

Remember the saying “first impressions are lasting”? When you arrive at the interview venue, you want to create a good first impression. When you greet people, be sure to smile politely, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake.

Another tip: Treat everyone with respect, as your potential employer may be watching to see how you treat the other staff members.

Be aware of your body language. Poor body language during an interview can send negative signals to the interviewer. Here are a few examples of positive and negative body language:

 

Positive Negative
Smiling Slouching
Making eye contact Playing with a pen
Solid posture Chewing bubble-gum
Active listening Mumbling when answering questions
Nodding Touching your face too much
Giving confident responses Fidgeting

 

Remember: Having a positive attitude and expressing a great sense of enthusiasm for the job is an excellent starting point for landing that job.

 

Want to learn more about how to get started with your logistics and supply chain career?

 

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