Procurement job interview: What to prepare for

Portfolio matches up talented individuals with top companies every day, but to succeed in this sector you need to present yourself as a strong candidate at your interview.

While we can help you get your foot in the door, you will still need to meet potential employers before they decide whether you are right for the role, and as you might expect there is likely to be competition.

With that in mind, here are five ways you can make a good impression when interviewing for a procurement role.

1) Bring examples and prepare to talk about them

If you want to be a serious contender for this role, it is vital you highlight your skills and experience as much as possible during your interview. One of the best ways to achieve this is through talking about previous accomplishments and showing off your successes.

As well as making it clear that you have a strong track record, this is also a great chance to prove your presenting prowess and really engage your interviewer.

2) Offer ideas and solutions

Pointing out problems is one thing, but what procurement requires is someone who can solve them. You need to show that you are capable of identifying issues, spotting new opportunities and noticing what needs to change, but also that you can then act upon your findings and work towards a resolution.

This is certainly something to bear in mind when discussing your past successes. Don’t spend too long talking about what the problem was, instead devote plenty of time to showing exactly how you addressed it and how this was a benefit to the business as a whole.

3) Know the business

Procurement is a role that spans many different fields, so it’s important you do plenty of research beforehand. Even if you have plenty of procurement experience, if you fail to show any knowledge of the company you’d be working for, your chances of success are greatly reduced.

If you know who your interviewer will be, you can even check out their LinkedIn profile (if they have one) and see if the two of you share any common ground.

4) Let your personality shine through

Part of any procurement specialist’s day-to-day activities will involve establishing and maintaining relationships with suppliers, so you need to show your prospective employer you are up to this task.

The best way to do this is to relax and be yourself. Recruiters are likely to be turned off by a lack of energy or engagement, so make sure you project your personality during the interview.

5) Don’t forget the basics

Of course, some elements of a job interview apply to whatever position you are going for. Turning up on time is essential, while you should also dress appropriately, shake hands with your interviewers when you arrive and remember to thank them before you leave.

Be careful not to undo all your good work by neglecting the little details.

Find your next procurement opportunity

If you’re looking for a new and exciting procurement role, Portfolio can help. Take a look at our latest vacancies to see if there is anything that suits your skills, or call us on 020 7650 3191 to speak to a member of our team.