Even though the labor market remains tight, candidates seeking procurement roles still need to bring their A-game to job interviews if they intend to stand out from the competition.
Below, we share some strategies that are sure to impress in a procurement job interview.
Read the job description. Then, read it again. What exactly is the employer looking for? If they’ve chosen to recruit rather than attempting to upskill their existing team or bring in a consultant, it’s likely they are searching for a specialist skillset. If you’ve also done your research on the company itself to gain an understanding of where the business is headed, you should be able to read between the lines and gain insight into their needs and priorities.
Next, go through the job description requirements point by point, think about who each compares to your skillset and experience, then practice articulating how you will bridge the gap between that experience and what they are looking for. Be ready to describe what you would do in your first 30 days in the role, with a focus on the priorities you’ve identified in the job description.
Hard skills are a given, but employers want proof that you have mastered the foundations of your craft such as cost optimization, contract negotiation, and analytics.
Remember, never make a claim without backing it up with an example. During your interview, emphasize your:
Soft skills are your opportunity to really stand out. Employers will assess your soft skills not only through your answers and examples, but through your performance in the interview itself – your ability to communicate, convince, problem-solve, and adapt.
Be ready to explain how you have used your soft skills in the past to navigate complex relationships, communicate effectively, and manage stakeholders.
Focus on:
Think about how you will demonstrate your tech-savviness to the interviewers. Again, come prepared with examples. It’s no good just telling people you’re interested in technology and AI – instead, talk about the procurement technologies that excite you most, and why. If you’ve done so, describe some of the experiments you’ve conducted with ChatGPT and procurement tasks.Get excited about AI in procurement during the interview and highlight your understanding of what it can do for the profession. Demonstrate the ways in which you’ve leveraged technology in the past to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions.
With increasing emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices, exhibiting your interest and knowledge in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) can set you apart from the procurement crowd.
Here's how:
Finally, make the most of the opportunity to ask insightful questions, but don’t reveal a lack of research or disinterest in the company. Impress by asking about how the employer is adapting to some of the key issues impacting the industry.
By highlighting your hard and soft skills, knowing your strengths, demonstrating an interest in technology and AI, and demonstrating your understanding of ESG factors, you will be sure to impress interviewers and stand out from the competition. Remember to prepare procurement-specific examples and stories to illustrate your abilities and achievements.
Good luck on your procurement job interview journey!
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