Moving on Up (or at least trying) [Job Thread]

Susan Delgado

A little while back I posted a thread because I was debating about putting in for a job in a different division of my company. I talked to my boss, let him know what I was doing (because I'd rather tell him myself than him find out from HR), and put in for the spot. Interviews haven't been scheduled yet, but they're coming.

I am notoriously bad at interviewing...and to make it worse, they will be panel interviews and the executive director will be there. She is a great lady, but intimidates the holy hell out of me.
This would be my first position in management which is apparently making everyone doubt me (so says the grapevine), but I know that I can handle the job and the people in the department. There are obviously things I have to learn, but I know I can do it and learn it.

Also, I am hearing that the other managers think that I'm "too nice" and "too cute"...I'm nice to people in order to maintain a good working environment, is that really so bad? The other female in my department has a horrible reputation for being a complete bitch and no one will go to her for ANYTHING...I'm perfectly capable of being a hardass, but it doesn't suit my needs here...

Then comes the compensation... the base hiring range (this is salary and I'm currently hourly) is only slightly above what I pulled in last year...The max hiring range would be a nice increase and definitely make the longer hours and the increased responsibility worth it...however, if they do not give me the max hiring rate, I don't think I can justify it... because what I make in OT alone makes up for my otherwise lacking regular rate.

So once again I'm leaning on H/A ...
How can I prepare myself better for the interviews and maintain a quiet confidence... I don't need to come off cocky, but I do need to come off strong.

How can I make them see that while I don't have the experience, per se, that I have the desire to do the job and do it well....better than well... I want to be excellent.

Finally, if I am offered the position, and they try to low ball me, what's the most effective way to negotiate the hiring rate to something more beneficial for me?

Thanks in advance~

MichaelLC

Try to think of questions they are likely to ask, and prepare short, concise answers. Since it's a management spot, you can probably assume they will ask for examples of when you lead/took charge. Come up with several examples of when you lead a project or were considered the expert, and describe it.

edit: "Tell us about a time you took a leadership role?" "Most recently I was the head of the ManBearPig project, which brought in 500mil in new R&D funding for the company. I assigned the team, gathered weekly status reports, and reported the findings to the VP of Hybrid Development."

Going through the interview process will show that you're strong, so just showing up will help.

As for the salary thing, that's harder, since based on what you've said of your experience, they're likely to offer you the lower end. If this is your one/best chance to move out of your current position (assuming you get an offer) you may want to take it. Particularly since it's moving into a salaried position.

CooterTKE

Prepare for them to ask what is your management style? Personally mine is to judge the level of the person to the task I want them to preform. the higher they are and know what they are doing I let them be to finish on there own. The lower they are the more coaching they need from me. If they are low then I set up a plan for them to follow. Everyone is different at there skill level and so should the way a supervisor should manage.