At the April Business Meeting, Members Discussed Being Prepared for the Interview. Here

At the April Business Meeting, members discussed being prepared for the interview. Here are the responses we promised to share with you.

1. Methods of Procurement
2. Body of Knowledge
3. Five (5) Parts of a Contract
4. Examples of past work, including IFB and RFP
5. Describe the worst contract you have encountered and how did you handle it.
6. Dollar threshold amounts
7. What makes a valid contract?
8. Mandatory Sources
9. General Terms and Special Terms, and the difference between the types.
10. Knowledge of the APSPM or the governing legislation for a locality.
11. Strengths and weaknesses
12. Know your acronyms (i.e., FOIA, ARMICS, SPCC/PCard, TCC, APSPM, VPPA, etc.).
13. What is a responsive and responsible bidder?
14. Procurement Cycle
15. The differences between a Bid and RFP
16. What is a protest?
17. What is considered a FOIA request?
18. How to use eVA (if applicable).
19. Examples of dealing with a non-compliant vendor
20. How do you prioritize your work?
21. What does NIGP say about Ethics in Public Procurement?
22. Differences between policy and procedures.
23. Small Purchase Charge Card limits
24. Centralized vs Decentralized Procurement

1. Get directions.
2. Research the agency, including staff size and organizational structure.
3. Research eVA to see procurements completed by the entity.
4. Pick out appropriate clothing.
5. Read the job description thoroughly.
6. Proofread your application and résumé for errors.
7. Prepare questions to ask the interviewing panel.
8. Get a good night’s sleep.
9. Review procurement basics.
10. Have a prepared résumé.
11. Check the agency website.
12. What are your strengths and weaknesses.
13. Be able to explain procurements that you have handled, including your most complex procurement.
14. Be able to answer how you are working on weaknesses you may have.
15. Be prepared to answer why you want to work there.
16. Be prepared to answer what you can bring to the agency.
17. Know your strengths.
18. Know procurement terminology and concepts.
19. Brush up on the APSPM, the Vendor’s Manual, and the VPPA.
20. Be on time.
21. Refresh yourself on your experience to answer behavioral questions.

1. Organization structure (Director and Organizational Chart)
2. Organization’s Mission, Vision (including goals and objectives)
3. Contracts and Bids
4. Business hours
5. Work location
6. Job duties
7. Company history
8. Company culture
9. Governance
10. Policy and Procedures
11. Frequently Purchased Items
12. Budget
13. Future Procurements
14. Top commodities agency procures on competitive basis
15. Agency retention rate
16. Find out whom you will be working
17. Agency’s delegated authority, annual expenditures and purchase volume
18. Talk to peers about agency reputation
19. How much is the job paying?
20. What associations are the staff members of and how is the membership and other activities paid.

1. Send a thank you note.
2. Write down and ask questions thoroughly.
3. Make eye contact.
4. A firm handshake.
5. Be confident.
6. Dress appropriately.
7. Be on time.
8. Smile.
9. Be mindful of body language.
10. Give clear and concise answers.
11. Say you do not know the answer if you do not know the answer.
12. Use yes and no.
13. Be prepared.
14. Examples of procurement experience that matches the needs of the agency.
15. Are your certifications current.
16. Show your years of procurement experience and knowledge through your answers.
17. Know your current association memberships and certifications.
18. Talk slowly, clearly and answer the question.
19. Do not B. S. (Yes, this was a response.)
20. Do not forget credentials to access buildings.