PROUDLY PRESENTS

Adrian Albrecht
Resident of the USA and 3-DNET® VIP member
Email contact : exec@exec.org

      

 

INTERVIEW WITH 3-DNET® Interview in German

Listen to sample sound "bites" from the interview:  

Question 1 : Tell me about yourself

I’m the proud son of immigrant parents from Europe. Growing up there wasn’t much although we always had what was needed. My home was always a warm loving environment. There was plenty of work for everyone and pulling together made for some great memories. The lessons I learned from those times stay with me to this day.

Question:  "Tell me about yourself....?"  

Question 2 : What can you offer to your next employer ?

Unique solutions to complex and diverse business and technology challenges. I am experienced with an assorted background that delivers a productive vision.

Question:  "What can you offer....?"  

Question 3 : What are your strengths ?

My strengths are those associated with strong leadership. I’ve learned that there is uniqueness to most challenges. I listen to my managers, peers and subordinates to pull the team’s recommendations together.

Question:  "What are your strengths?"  

Question 4 : What are your accomplishments ?

Many, Many; There are two that stand out. One project where my bargaining unit resources were spread out from Kings Gate Canada through the south of Texas near the Gulf. Not only was I required to manage to the corporate methodology but also to the union bi-laws. The project was so successful that executive management honored the team by hosting a lavish celebration for all.
Also; there was this on-going (6-year) project I accepted. It was started and terminated 5 times over 6 years for numerous reasons. I accepted version 6 of this project to make more accessible the legacy mainframes, processing in excess of 2 billion transactions per day. Version 6 was initiated at the same time the data-center was moving across the country and all operational and capitol ownership was recently transferring to IBM under a new outsource agreement. My resources were spread out globally and all with tremendous cultural diversity. I am proud of this one as I completed this project successfully, given these cultural, business and technology challenges in 18 months, with a minimal budget, where no-one before me could.

Question:  "What are your accomplishments?"  

Question 5 : What are your limitations ?

Every VP, CIO, Director that I’ve reported to will say that I’m a fish that nibbles on every hook a fisherman puts out. I really get into all aspects of a project and as a result I can spread myself very thin. it.

Question:  "What are your limitations ?"  

Question 6 : How much are you worth ?

I’m worth what a client is willing to spend for their return on investment. Sometimes it’s financially feasible and sometimes it’s not.

Question:  "How much are you worth ?"  

Question 7 : What are your ambitions for the future ?

My ambitions are rather simple. I want to stay current with business methodologies and technologies while remaining competitive. I would like to remain challenged and interested as these are significant to my performance.

Question:  "What are your ambitions for the future ?"  

Question 8 : How long would it take you start contributing to the firm? 

I will contribute in short order. Each corporation I’ve been to has a unique identity and ways or policies of how it works. Given the many projects I’ve worked from start to finish I’m confident the contributions will be delivered as expected.

Question:  "How long would it take ... ?"  

Question 9: My management styles vary dependant upon the audience. Generally I’m consistent and decisive toward the objective while bringing the team along. Everyone on the team will be respected for their contributions and expected to perform within their means.

Question:  "What is your management style .... ?"  

Question 10: Why do you think you have a good potential to be a manager?

Well I’ve been perfecting the role for more than a decade. I have many new experiences behind me that help me to be intuitive and know the direction to go. I am constantly improving my skills through seminars, college course work as well as other journals, so I’m ready for change as needed.

Question:  "Why do you think you..... ?"  

>Question 11: What would you look for hiring people? Why do you think you have a good potential to be a manager?

At first the basics, do they have the years of experience in the skill set required? Do they offer a good potential for the investment? Conceivably can they integrate into the corporate culture? It’s important to me to have individuals who are communicative and do articulate themselves well.

Question:  "What would you look for hiring .... ?"  

Question 12: As a manager, have you ever had to fire someone?

Regrettably many times over many years. There is only so much that can be offered to individuals such as training, counseling, rehabilitation, leaves of absence and reassignments as examples. When these options are exhausted with or without disruption to a group, there is little else that can be done.

Question:  "As a manager, have you ever..... ?"  

Question 13: What do you see as the most difficult task of being a manager?

Change and the global reliance of business and the effect these have on people. As a manager I respect that the best ideas can’t be brought into reality without people who have contributed to the process. Good folks generally want to contribute so listen as the experience will be very rewarding.

Question:  "What do you see as...... ?"  

Question 14: Describe what you feel is the best work environment?

Well I feel the best work environment is open to expressions and mutual respect is abundant. Hard work under clear direction that provides a road map to success will build camaraderie. I must say I do enjoy the company of co-workers after hours as they’ve always made for fun times.

Question:  "Describe what you feel..... ?"  

Question 15: Looking back how do you describe your past employer?

My past employers have all demanded that quality, deliverable dates and budgets be met consistently. They have all expected from me and I have always met the employers’ needs consistently.

Question:  "Looking back how do you ..... ?"  

Question 16: What have you done to increase productivity, performance, efficiency, etc..?

There are many things I’ve done and they include deployment of new technologies, training, written policies & procedures and team building techniques.

Question:  "What have you done to .... ?"  

Question 17: Whether you are a "computer wizard", how do you respond to the financial side of your responsibilities?

Simply that in today’s financial climate I respond very seriously. Regardless if I am running one or several projects, each with their own budgets, it are those figures that I take responsibility for, to deliver to the agreed to budgets. In the event previously identified risks are not overcome I will reassess the financial impact for presentation to stake holders for review. .

Question:  "Whether you are a "computer wizard".... ?"  

Question 18: How many people have you supervised in your recent job?

At the peak of the project 45 persons in 7 locations. Operations were such that all resources were acquired from multiple cross-functional teams working from offices located globally.

Question:  "How many people have you .... ?"  

Question 19: What do you like more, working with figures or words?

I enjoy working with words. There is such diversity within groups of people where timing and presentation is everything. I truly enjoy this artistic part of the job.

Question:  "What do you like more ..... ?"  

Question 20: How do you think that your subordinates receive you?

My subordinates have all gone out of their way to do the best work they can for me. They have all been comfortable with me to the extent that no conversation is off limits. I listen and I watch and that is so well received that I’m always the manager invited out by them.

Question:  "How do you think .... ?"  

Question 21: What do you think of your previous boss?

The bosses I’ve had are all very professional meeting the many time and business demands placed upon them. They’ve all expected someone who does not require hand-holding thinks on their feet that meets the expectations while allowing them to move on to other areas. My bosses were all satisfied.

Question:  "What do you think .... ?"  

Question 22: Describe a situation in which your work was criticized?

My work is under constant scrutiny probably because of its critical natures of risk and dependency and the large financial investments involved. Most recently while planning the complete integration of security to a new infrastructure build I was questioned as to why I required an additional iteration to the proof of concept for this security. The vendor has assured and sold my stake-holders that the specific integration of security into the actual messaging would perform. I successfully argued to the stake-holders that the vendor assurance were solely based on their lab results and were not yet in a production environment. My stake-holders accepted the additional iteration and associated costs. This 3rd iteration, although at additional cost, proved at lesser overall cost that the final security solution was not ready.

Question:  "Describe a situation .... ?"  

Question 23: If I spoke with your boss what he would say about your greatest strength and weaknesses?

Simply that I can make things happen that he would not believe possible and that I take on more than I should stretching my availability too thin.

Question:  "If I spoke with your boss.... ?"  

Question 24: How can you handle life under pressure and with tough deadlines?

I personally just focus. The emphasis is on the team members, the vendors, management and everyone else who has to do their part to meet the deadlines. I don’t like surprises and I go out of my way to avoid them.

Question:  "How can you handle .... ?"  

Question 25: What do you think you do better: staff work or line work?

I do neither better. Experience tells me that staff work cannot be done without line work and vise versa. They go hand-in-hand with technology so I do both equally well.

Question:  "What do you think.... ?"  

Question 26: In your current position, what problem have you identified that was previously overlooked?

That’s a hard question to answer as problems are normally identified early-on in a project as risks, or “I don’t know”. For example early in one project I identified that the many new products being integrated could prematurely be released into production without training the support staff. The problem was funding could not be made available without demonstrating that the products worked together. The stake holders accepted a potential delay and were will to fund the training up demonstration of the functionality.

Question:  "In your current position .... ?"  

Question 27: If you had a choice of job and a company what would you choose?

It depends on what I had to choose between, you know the specifics. If the company required me to say act in an unethical manner I would choose the job. Given the latter I’m a professional management consultant so I choose the company by finishing my work as quickly and accurately as possible. Upon conclusion I’m usually out of a job.

Question:  "If you had a choice of job.... ?"  

Question 28:Do you have any objection to take a psychological test?

No objection at all. It would surely be a good experience.

Question:  "Do you have any objection.... ?"  

Question 29: Do you consider yourself as a creative person?

Yes I do. The nature of the bleeding edge work I have directed has produced many creative approaches that even Gartner reviews have praised.

Question:  "Do you consider yourself.... ?"  

Question 30: How do you describe your personality?

As a manager I’m clear, decisive and consistent, what I believe my people want from their manager. I’m open and approachable and that allows me to better interact with many individuals over a variety of concerns.

Question:  "How do you describe.... ?"  

Question 31: What is your outside reading you do?

The Kiplinger letter and msn.com for business and current events. I spend time reading product and technical white papers to stay current with technology. Personally I spend time with the History channel for quiet entertainment.

Question:  "What is your outside.... ?"  

Question 32: What are some of your outside activities?

Personally I like to take long drives in rural areas, amateur bird watching and splashing around at the coasts or nearby lakes. I’m a father with many nephews and nieces so there are always coaching or mentoring opportunities both physically and educationally.

Question:  "What are some of.... ?"  

Question 33: Are you continuing your education?

Yes; I’m continuing with attending seminars, vendor conferences, business courses and other client training.

Question:  "Are you continuing your.... ?"  

CURRICULUM VITAE

3-DNET® is a secure and effective way to make new contacts
-- both business and social!

Networking is a requirement for Business and Individual alike.
The ONLY security these days is how wide your network is and how shrewdly you market yourself.
3-DNET® can assist you!

Copyright 1996 The 3-D Network Company, Ottawa, ON, CANADA
3-DNET® is a registered trademark of The 3-D Network Company International Inc.