{"id":3177,"date":"2020-05-28T13:20:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T17:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.certitrek.com\/nlpa\/2012\/05\/28\/the-procurement-interview-question-that-will-make-you-sweat\/"},"modified":"2023-11-30T11:09:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T15:09:32","slug":"procurement-interview-question-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.certitrek.com\/nlpa\/blog\/procurement-interview-question-that\/","title":{"rendered":"The Procurement Interview Question That Will Make You Sweat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you preparing for a procurement job interview and feeling anxious about the questions that may come your way? Relax and take a deep breath! We’ve got you covered. Procurement interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can confidently tackle any question thrown your way. In this article, we’ll explore the top procurement interview questions that evaluate your skills and expertise, helping you stand out from the competition. So, if you want to ace your procurement job interview, read on and discover the key strategies to prepare effectively!<\/p>\n

Interviewing for a procurement position is tough.<\/p>\n

Even with good preparation, there\u2019s a chance you\u2019ll be asked a question that you didn\u2019t expect.\u00a0 For every predictable \u201cTell me where you see yourself in five years,\u201d you\u2019ll get a \u201cTell me about a time when a superior delegated a task to you and, as you began work on the task, it became clear that following the superior\u2019s instructions would lead to problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those types of procurement job interview questions can make you a little nervous.<\/p>\n

In some cases, you may just end up saying \u201cI apologize, but I\u2019m drawing a blank on that one.\u201d\u00a0 And, in some cases, that\u2019s OK.\u00a0 You\u2019re probably not the only candidate that drew a blank.\u00a0 The hiring manager is human, too, and likely understands the uncomfortable position you are in.\u00a0 In fact, those types of questions may be designed to weed out liars who make up unbelievable stories.<\/p>\n

But there is one procurement interview question that should make you sweat if you don\u2019t have the right answer.\u00a0 Because there is no getting around it.\u00a0 There is no \u201cI\u2019m drawing a blank\u201d that will suffice.\u00a0 There is one great answer and one somewhat acceptable answer and no amount or quality of talking will save you if your response is not one of those.<\/p>\n

What is that question?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s this\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a procurement certification<\/a> and, if not, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Your answer better be \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno, but I\u2019m\u00a0x% complete\u00a0and my plan is to be certified by [insert a date here].\u201d<\/p>\n

Think about it.\u00a0 What other answer\u00a0could possibly\u00a0make you look good?<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t had time?\u201d\u00a0 You have the same 24 hours a day that everyone else has.\u00a0 And I bet it wouldn\u2019t be hard to find many people who have earned their procurement certification\u00a0that have a fuller calendar than you.\u00a0 Poor excuse.\u00a0 Hiring managers will interpret this as \u201cI am not serious enough\u00a0about the procurement profession and my career to schedule time to become certified.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t thought much about it?\u201d\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t thought much about becoming certified, you haven\u2019t thought much about advancing your career or learning all you can about procurement.\u00a0 How do you think that will work out for ya?<\/p>\n

\u201cWith my experience, I don\u2019t feel I need one?\u201d\u00a0 Anyone can \u201ctake up space\u201d for years in a job and not really be good at what they do compared to others in the field.\u00a0 Sure, in your current or previous employers, you may have a track record of work you\u2019ve done well.\u00a0 But when you apply to a new\u00a0employer \u2013 or even if your current employer changes management, which we all know happens frequently \u2013 they haven\u2019t personally witnessed your track record.<\/p>\n

So, what objective information can they use to determine whether you\u2019re a \u201cspace taker\u201d or someone with skills?\u00a0 A procurement certification can.\u00a0 But if you don\u2019t have a procurement certification, a hiring manager may think that you may just lack the talent to earn one.\u00a0 And, they may be right.\u00a0 After all, you have no evidence to prove that theory wrong.\u00a0 And, even if you have the talent, a lack of a procurement certification can show that you lack drive.\u00a0 Hiring managers want talent and drive.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertifications and education\u00a0aren\u2019t guarantees that someone is good?\u201d\u00a0 While there may be some educated people who don\u2019t work out well in all positions, do you really think you\u2019ll impress a hiring manager with this kind of \u201clogic?\u201d\u00a0 As if having no certification\u00a0IS a guarantee?\u00a0 If this doesn\u2019t scream \u201cI\u2019m lazy and defensive\u201d to a hiring manager, I don\u2019t know what will!<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a college degree?\u201d\u00a0 It is a common myth that you have to have a college degree to earn a procurement certification.\u00a0 You don\u2019t!\u00a0 The CPO\u00ae<\/sup> Certification<\/a> does not require that you have to have a degree.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have enough years of experience?\u201d\u00a0 It is another common myth that you need \u201cx\u201d years of experience to earn a procurement certification.\u00a0 You don\u2019t!\u00a0 The SPSM\u00ae<\/sup> Certification does not require experience as a prerequisite!<\/p>\n

Are you seeing how no excuse is a good one?<\/p>\n

So, on your next procurement interview, will you have the right answer to that big question?\u00a0 Or are you going to be one of those sweating and trying to explain why you\u2019re not certified?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s probably easier to actually earn your procurement certification than it is to successfully justify why you don\u2019t have one.<\/p>\n

Find the NLPA procurement course that\u2019s right for your Team. Access\u00a0NLPA\u2019s Course Catalog<\/a>\u00a0today.<\/p>\n

Recommended Reading<\/b><\/p>\n