Lunch with the interviewers boss

Submitted by Magnus Nesheim
in
Career Management
[b] Dear Manager-Tools community BLUF: How do I prepare for a lunch interview with the interviewers boss, what can I expect, and how should I behave in this kind of interview? [/b] Long version: After a career fair meet and introduction I was invited to an interview by one of the largest media corporations in Scandinavia. I prepared and conducted myself according to the Interviewing podcast, and I think it went great. Near the end of interview the interviewer and his recruitment consultant asked me "what would you say if we gave you an offer now?". My answer was that I would be very grateful, and that I was very interested in an offer by doing my closing. In the end I told them that since I had a competing offer I and am in the process with four other companies I would need a week to think it over, as well as contacting the other companies. However if I was to list the companies i would today put them on the top. They told me they would talk to my references the next day and the consider giving me an offer. After the interview they said they felt I had made a great impression (I feel I owe Mark and Mike a lot for this impression. The interview podcast has been great here). When talking to my references the next day it seemed that neither the interviewer nor the consultant had talked to my references. Instead the interviewer called me and invited me to an "informal" lunch interview with him and his boss. [b][i]My question is:[/i][/b] [b] How do I prepare for a lunch interview with the interviewers boss, what can I expect, and how should I behave in this kind of interview?[/b] Finally, I would like to thank the Manager-Tools community for all advice in the past, which has been most useful. All advice will, as always, be appreciated. [b]Magnus[/b] [i]Norway[/i] DISC: 4-7-3-4
Submitted by Rich Ruh on Friday October 5th, 2007 7:30 pm

Magnus--

My 0.108 kroner (2 American cents)...

1. It's an interview. I would dress and act like it.

2. It's a very good sign. :)

Good luck!

--Rich

Submitted by John Hack on Friday October 5th, 2007 7:51 pm

Magnus, have you listened to the "Meal Etiquette" podcasts from Sept 2006? Very good stuff there.

And, this is an interview. Prepare like you would for any other. I would imagine, however, that the "Introductions" part of the interview will be extended, so make sure you're reading the WallSt. Journal and the local papers.

Good luck!

John

Submitted by Stewart Logan on Saturday October 6th, 2007 12:08 am

No soup for you!

Sorry, it had to be done. Sounds more like a 2nd interview than a lunch meeting to me.

Treat it as such. And good luck.

Submitted by Adam Grandy on Saturday October 6th, 2007 11:58 pm

In addition to the above, during conversation, utilize the tool in the latest cast:

Start with a statement, end with a question.

Let us know how it turns out!

Adam

Submitted by Magnus Nesheim on Sunday October 7th, 2007 1:09 pm

Hi everyone

Thank you for all the great advice. I have now listend to the "Meal Etiquette" podcasts and found them very relevant. In addition I have kept on preparing for this interview, following both yours and M&M's advice.

I would like to thank all of you for good advice, and I will give you my update tomorrow, after the lunch!

Respectfully

[b]Magnus [/b]
[i]Norway[/i]
DISC: 4-7-3-4

Submitted by Magnus Nesheim on Monday October 8th, 2007 5:34 pm

BLUF: [b]They told me I gave a great impression, and that they would give me an answer first thing in the morning[/b]

Long version:
Then lunch is over, and so far it went well. I owe much of the result to the Manager-Tools community. The advice on them Meal Etiquette podcasts helped a lot, and it went on just like a normal interview, but only with food and no Powerpoints.

[b]Meal Etiquette[/b] - [i]Thank you for the advice on this one John[/i]
I researched the menue of the restaurant in advance on their website, looking for meals that would be easy to eat with no dripping, no problems like that. My choice fell on a spanish omelet, which wasn't really any good, but helped me stay effective.
At the restaurant I waited for the party on the outside, greeting them and walking in with them together, like adviced in the podcast.
When choosing my seat I picked the one with my back to the room, the one that let me focus on the interviewers. It really helped my impression, since I normally would let my eyes drift in a place lik that.

[b]Interviewing series[/b]
I had prepared my resume in advance i accordance to Manager-Tools. In addition I had finished my 3 by 5 cards with
[list]
- Tell Me About Yourself
- Significant Accomplishments (15)
- The Interview Weakness Questions
- My Leadership Style
- My Questions for the interviewers
- The Closing
[/list:u]

I followed the significant accomplishments podcast when they asked me about what I was proud of, and what I had focused on in different sales assignments in the past. It went well, and they really looked like they understood it.

In the end I closed them, all at the same time, which was the second time I closed two of them. I used the same arguments as the last time to show consistency.

In the end this led to
[b]The interviewers telling me I gave a great impression, and that they would give me an answer first thing in the tomorrow[/b]

I will keep you posted! Again, thank you!

[b]Magnus [/b]
[i]Norway [/i]
DISC: 4-7-3-4

Submitted by Will Duke on Monday October 8th, 2007 5:38 pm

Wow! I'd hire you just from you preparation and ability to clearly summarize! :D

Submitted by Magnus Nesheim on Tuesday October 9th, 2007 9:55 am

Hi everyone,

BLUF: I got the job offer

And it is the best I have got so far in the process.

I told them that I was genuinely exited about it and that I would give him my answer by Friday 16:00. The terms are god, i like the people, i like the work, there are good organizational opportunities. I think this can be good.

However I have an two more interviews tomorrow, one first time with HP and one with a small start-up. But, as Mark says, "until you have something, you have nothing".

Will know for certain on Friday! I would like to thank you all once again!

[b]Magnus [/b]
[i]Norway [/i]
DISC: 4-7-3-4

Submitted by Craig Cleveland on Tuesday October 9th, 2007 12:32 pm

How exciting and great to hear!

Congrats and best of luck on the other interviews!

CC

Submitted by Magnus Nesheim on Tuesday October 16th, 2007 9:34 am

Hi everyone,

BLUF: I have accepted the offer for the position as Manager of Marketing and Sales in the Norwegian dotcom-company www.karrierestart.no (tranlated to careerstart) which is the leading resource site for undergraduates and above going into their professional careers.

I would like to thank everyone for all the help. Manager-Tools has made me more confident in the interviewing scenario, and the tips you have given has inspired my.

Respectfully

Submitted by Will Duke on Tuesday October 16th, 2007 10:47 am

Congratulations Magnus! What a rewarding field to go into. Do you suppose you'll get any more free lunches? :wink:

Submitted by Asterisk RNTT on Tuesday October 16th, 2007 11:41 am

Nice work Magnus

And Will is right. I am also impressed by your preparation. You have inspired me to go back over my notes and firm up many of my answers for the behavioural questions.

*RNTT

Submitted by Craig Cleveland on Tuesday October 16th, 2007 12:27 pm

TANSTAAFL: There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch --Heinlein?

CC

Submitted by Julia Havener on Tuesday October 16th, 2007 10:34 pm

Congratulations! I hope to hear how things are going as you take up your new role.

Submitted by Brian Flynn on Wednesday October 17th, 2007 10:27 am

[quote="magnus"]

BLUF: I have accepted the offer for the position as Manager of Marketing and Sales in the Norwegian dotcom-company www.karrierestart.no (tranlated to careerstart) which is the leading resource site for undergraduates and above going into their professional careers.

I would like to thank everyone for all the help. Manager-Tools has made me more confident in the interviewing scenario, and the tips you have given has inspired my.
[/quote]

Way to go. The credit always goes to the one in the ring, not to the crowd cheering them on.

Nice job!

Brian