Whenever I reflect on this, I still wonder where I might have been able to better communicate what was needed for the interview. The position was for a sales analyst role. This person needed to be analytical, and they had to come with a high level of competence in Excel.
The resume looked good, and the phone interview went well. The applicant assured us they had the necessary qualifications for the job. The in-person session would consist of the candidate completing 5 exercises involving spreadsheets – from organizing information, creating pivot tables, formulas, and giving general level analysis of the data. We emphasized this in the phone interview and reiterated the criteria (telling them what to be ready to do) in reminder emails before the interview date.
After pleasantries and greetings, we gave the candidate a laptop and the first scenario. Upon completion, they would then share the info on the screen and discuss their conclusions. Two minutes in, the interviewee was clearly struggling. They had pulled out their phone and were frantically trying to find a solution on-line. Seeing this and being diplomatic, I asked, “Why don’t you pause for a second. Should we continue forward? Is this not what you expected?”
As if like a balloon that is let go, the person jumped up and blurted, “No Way!” Before I could even ask the next question, they were headed out the meeting room door. Quickly, the other interviewer raced after them to make sure they were escorted out of the building.
As I discussed in Time-Optimized Job Interviewing – Part 1 Preparation, the candidate was not ready for the interview. They were not prepared for succinct answers, learned about the requirements of the job (linear research), and even were ready to ask probing questions to create a cycle of learning.
Execution is where preparation meets performance. It’s the stage where all the groundwork laid in preparation is now put to the test. For the candidate in the sales analyst role, the execution phase exposed their lack of readiness. This was not just about technical skills in Excel but also about managing time effectively under pressure.
As I note in my book, The Time-Optimized Life:
The police are established to protect society, keep order, enforce the law, and assist the citizens. The equivalent attitude needs to apply to your time-management process. The execution of a time-management plan needs to protect the time intended to be used. The process is there to keep order in the tactics. Procedures are in place to enforce structure and good time behavior. Finally, without any methods in place, you are not helping yourself or anyone else. In fact, you might be causing more harm than good. Execution here is a reaction to preparation. While linear in nature, you may find the execution sending you back to the preparation stage for modification.
Execution (the E in PEC) in an interview setting is about maintaining focus, following the outlined structure, and demonstrating competence within the allocated time. It’s a balance of showing expertise while remaining composed and adaptable. The applicant’s sudden exit from the room was not merely a sign of being unprepared but also a lack of control over their emotional state—a vital aspect of execution.
The first assessment and the one that started me on my journey of time-optimization. The Time Management Analysis (TMA) measures your time efficiency in 20 areas and provides a foundation to build your own time-optimized strategy for both professional and personal life.
To effectively execute during an interview, one must employ techniques to stay on track. One approach is to compartmentalize tasks, a strategy that aligns with the Time Management Analysis (TMA) framework. Breaking down tasks into manageable segments can prevent feeling overwhelmed and ensure each part of the interview is handled methodically.
For instance, when presented with data-centric tasks, a candidate can implement a three-step process:
1) Organize the data quickly but thoroughly
2) Apply necessary formulas or pivot tables
3) Review and present findings succinctly.
This segmented approach not only manages the time effectively but also ensures that the candidate remains focused on each phase of the Exercise.
Moreover, the candidate could have benefited from the “Protected Time” principle outlined in the KMS Productivity Bundle Resources. This technique involves setting aside dedicated focus periods to practice and refine key skills, such as using Excel or running through potential interview scenarios. By reinforcing these periods with structured tasks, a candidate can simulate the interview environment and increase confidence in their abilities.
But what happens when things go wrong, as they did in the case above? This is where control—the “C” in the PEC framework—comes into play. In the next article, we will delve into how control is not just about staying calm but about leveraging specific strategies to redirect focus, manage setbacks, and maintain composure when the unexpected happens.
David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, coauthor of The Retirement Collective, and owner of Kairos (Time) Management Solutions, LLC. Learn how to apply the concepts of proactively planning and using your time. Take the Time Management Analysis (TMA), the Retirement Time Analysis (RTA), or all the other free resources offered to help bring more quality time into your life.
The post Time-Optimized Job Interviewing – Part 2 Execution first appeared on Infinity Lifestyle Design.
