PROUDLY PRESENTS

Basil Halabi
Resident of The United States and 3-DNET® member
Email contact : basil.halabi@exec.org

      

VIDEO INTRODUCTION®

  

 

INTERVIEW WITH 3-DNET®

Listen to sample sound "bites" from the interview:  

Question 1 : Tell me about yourself

I’ve traveled extensively and have lived and worked in places as diverse as Kansas and Riyadh. A relatively recent transplant from New York City, Northern Virginia is now my home. Born overseas, I came to the US to attend college. On my own, I worked to pay my tuition and support myself -- learning early on the value of hard work and perseverance.

My professional life has been rich and varied including rewarding positions with large technology corporations, defense contractors and now a non-profit. I enjoy the love and support of a committed relationship which sustains me and nurtures me through life’s challenges and pleasures.

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

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

I have always strived to be the best I can be through out my career and I place a high value on creating an environment which empowers and motivates people to be their best, as well . Creating a sense of ownership among employees goes a long way towards serving the customer’s needs and providing thriving workplace.

In today’s global economy, companies are in need of individuals with multicultural skills, people who understand diverse backgrounds and cultures. My life and career experience have given me those skills and I excel and grow in places where I can use those skills.

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

Question 3 : What are your strengths ?

During the seventeen years of progressive and varied duties and responsibilities, I have developed strong problem solving skills and excelled in efficiency improvements, cost reduction, negotiating skills along with management skills. I thrive on new challenges in a rapidly changing work environment and I have strong work ethics and unquestionable integrity.

Question:  "What are your strengths?"  

Question 4 : What are your accomplishments ?

The first accomplishment that comes to mind is the overseas start up operation for the first heavy aircraft maintenance facility in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At the time I was one of only three people chosen to start-up this venture, three years later we had nine hangars, 500 employees, and just completed maintenance on the third Boeing-747.

Another accomplishment comes to mind where I was given the challenge to reduce the production cycle time form 120 days to 98 days on the beech jet program. By reengineering processes and revamping engineering design, production cycle was reduced to 84 days. Most recent accomplishment is the acquisition of $22 M of new business as to my goal of $2.5 M.

Throughout my career I have exceed expectations and I will be glad to discuss these accomplishment with any future employer.

Question:  "What are your accomplishments?"  

Question 5 : What are your limitations ?

The only limitation I can think of is being self critical, but once I start working on a project and potential problems become clearer, I move full speed ahead with my plans.

Question:  "What are your limitations ?"  

Question 6 : How much are you worth ?

I trust that your offer will be in line with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Once I accept a position, I tend to be focused and motivated by set-out goals and the well being of the company I work for.

Question:  "How much are you worth ?"  

Question 7 : What are your ambitions for the future ?

The first thing I think of when I wake up every morning is how I can make a difference today. I thrive on asking the “what if” question how can we do it better while strategizing and growing the company in the right direction.

Other ambition I have is to move up the ladder of management and earn the respect and understanding of others.

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

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

Every company and organization are unique even when they are in the same line of business, therefore some time is needed to understand the internal processes of an organization so that better decisions could be made. As a fast leaner and based on previous experience, I am up and running in very little time.

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

Question 9: What is your management style?

I am all about results, if something is not working we need to change direction. I specialize in improving efficiencies, reengineering processes, and providing excellent external/internal customer service. I am not the type of person who likes to micro manage nor I like to be micro managed, I am fair but demanding, well organized and know when a reward is needed and when to admit and correct mistakes.

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

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

I have years of experience being a manager, motivating and leading people. As illustrated in my employment history, I have provided leadership in multicultural environment and in different line of industries. I been very successful making people listen, understand issues and motivate them to be their best.

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

Question 11: What would you look for in hiring people?

Since bringing people together to achieve common objectives and goals is what counts at the most, I look for people who are committed, willing to learn and grow and have the right attitude and demeanor. I have great appreciation for diversity in the work place and I never stereotype people.

Integrity, loyalty, “can-do” attitude, along with intelligence are some of the important qualities I look for in any potential candidate.

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

Question 12: Yes, it comes with the position of being a Manager. People under-perform for different reasons, but I always work with the person to find out ways to make it work prior to termination.

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

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

Having to let an employee go due to poor performance.

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

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

An environment in which everyone understands their roles, duties, and make significant contribution to the company. Personally I thrive on change, working on several projects and meeting deadlines, but also I like order and being able to coordinate and organize teams to achieve maximum results.

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

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

A non-profit company with mission and goals (first non-profit I worked for). Having worked with “for-profit” companies thorough out my career I would like to get back to that arena. .

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

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

Working for a non-profit company decisions and processes are made based on political reason rather than improving productivity, performance, and efficiency something I am used to, but having said that and in spite of all the politics, I have successfully leads the effort of streamlining our internal processes and creating collaboration processes with our sister non-profit agency implementing IT business solution.

Currently I am in the process of designing an IT business solution for our 2000 associated non-profit agencies to integrate their financial system, shipping and receiving, and delivery schedule into one collaborative solution.

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?

I demand total integrity and accountability. If the company is losing money, I am losing money it’s just this simple.

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

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

I work in a matrix organization, therefore the number of people I manage depends on the project so the number varies between 4-10 people. .

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

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

Being a good manager, I like working with both. You must have the communication skills so you need words, and you must have the analytical skills so you must be good with figures.

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

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

Having people willing to follow tells me that I have earned respect and trust. Providing creative and innovative work environment also tells me that people enjoy working for me. I think my subordinates think of me as a leader who they can trust and follow.

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

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

Political, tough but fair, self-discipline and mission focused.

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

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

Few months ago I delegated a routine task to one of my employees to accomplish. The employee understood and accepted the task, few days later I was informed that the task was completed and handed off to another organization. A month passed and I came to find out that although the task was completed, there was no follow-up and fill through the cracks. Since my employee is my responsibility, I took full responsibility and corrected the problem.

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

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

For strengths, she would say dealing with people and being fair and levelheaded. As for weaknesses, I would imagine she would say I get frustrated playing too much politics instead of getting things done.

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

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

By being very patient and by simplifying my life routines. While I was working overseas in a “start-up” operation, I had to work long hours but if you love what you do there is less pressure from yourself but a commitment to do a good job.

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

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

I feel comfortable with both.

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

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

Gaps in internal processes and duplication of work between employees, and lack of well established follow-up processes. Once these deficiencies were identified I set out to Map the “As-Is” processes performed gap analysis and benchmarked with best in class. A “to-be” process was designed and communicated with my boss and all the stake holders. Functional requirements, IT requirements, organizational structure, and policy/procedure identified. Currently we are in phase two of the implementation process.

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

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

The two are not opposite, as long as I have challenges in both I am motivated to do better.

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

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

No

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

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

Definitely. As an engineer and art lover, I seek out new experiences, experiment with improving processes, refine what others abandon and add beauty into the world at every opportunity.

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

Question 30: How do you describe your personality?

I strongly believe in creating a fun work environment and people have always enjoyed working with me. I am curious, outgoing and unconventional. I am extroverted by nature and love meeting new people.

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

Question 31: What is your outside reading you do?

Next to keeping up with industry news and latest in technology and methodologies, I like history, politics, and world events.

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

Question 32: What are some of your outside activities?

I love chess, horse back riding, and swimming. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and seek out any chance for meeting new people.

Question:  "What are some of.... ?"  

Question 33: Are you continuing your education?

Absolutely, the company I currently work for has a variety of training programs including project management and fostering diversity in the work place. On a personal level, I am preparing to study for a private pilot license.

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

Curriculum Vitae

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