| Director of Marketing & Product Development |
I was introduced to the company by a head hunter who interviewed my at
length before my first meeting. I had a total of 6 interviews, after
the fourth, I told the head hunter to tell the company to make an offer
or decline, but I would not continue without an offer. Amazingly, I
still had two more meetings before an offer was made.
I met first with the owners, then had a lunch meeting with the owners,
then met the rest of the directors, then had another meeting with the
owners. I also looked over their products and was asked to comment on
what I thought they should do to enhance their marketing activities.
Of special note was their questions about how I would market some online
educational courses that they had just developed, and what types of
things I would do to help provide direction and organization to the
company. I had mentioned writing business plans and marketing plans for
other companies I had worked for (Ballard & Tighe had never had a formal
business plan in the 25 years it had been operating), and the president
specifically asked if I would provide them with a copy of a business
plan that I had developed for another company, which I did. I believe
that this business plan is what finally got them to hire me, since it
was well written (they are publishers, after all), and it was well
organized and showed a strong planning and strategy oreintation.
There was also a focus on my commitment to education. Since I had
taught as an adjunct professor for many years, I was able to reassure
them that I am a strong believer in education, and that is important,
since it establishes that you are "part of the club." The educational
industry is also tight knit, so it is important that you will work well
with teachers and others in the industry, and that you have an
appreciation of the importance of education and educators. The
president of the company is a "true believer" and sees the development
of good educational materials as a mission, not just a commodity to sell
and make money from.
|
Ballard & Tighe Interview Surveys
