INTERVIEW
WITH
Dovlet Ovezov
Resident of Belgium and VIP member
Email contact : dovlet.ovezov@exec.org

      

 

Interview in Russian

Listen to sample sound "bites" from the interview:  

Question 1 : Tell me about yourself

If I were a Medieval baron to choose a motto for my coat of arms, I would put "There is no way but up!" This is the idea that helped me to progress within ten years after graduation from the Law Faculty from a junior government officer in the heart of Central Asia to an international expert in the heart of Europe. I was the first in many generations of my traditional family to become a lawyer. At the age of 25 I was already a Deputy Chief of the International Law Department of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs of my country. I had a privilege to be among those who helped to establish and develop the UN office in Turkmenistan. I was the first lawyer from Turkmenistan to be selected for a British Government sponsored training program. I was a legal counsel for a large oil and gas company and a well-known American strategy and technology consulting. I am married for 12 happy years and my son is already 10 years old. If I were to describe myself in few words, I would say "ambitious", "energetic", "creative".

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

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

I can offer a whole set of transferable skills covering communication, research and planning, human relations, organization and management. I can communicate effectively, listen attentively, gather and analyse information, and, if necessary, organise and inspire others. Moreover, I am flexible and possess strong work survival ability. From professional point of view I can offer my knowledge of CIS countries, their laws, business style and customs. Since I speak fluent Russian I can easily and quickly obtain any necessary information whether from written or other sources. I am good at reporting, presenting information and establishing new useful contacts. I am a quick learner and always up to knowing something new, whether it is a new language or a new technology. As a result, I can communicate in at least four languages, proficient in Microsoft Office products, image and sound software.

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

Question 3 : What are your strengths ?

My strengths are efficiency, resourcefulness and diplomacy. I prioritise, identifying what I can do myself and where I would need help or assistance from my colleagues. The bottom line is, I do not "do my best", I do what is necessary to achieve the objective. That is because I believe that "doing the best" doesn't mean I do what I have to do. When asked to deliver a concrete product, most of the time your best doesn't count if you fail to deliver. On the way to getting things done there are no clichés or recipes, for each project has its own "identity". This is where I try to apply creativeness, i.e. based on my own experience as well as on the experience of accomplishing similar tasks finding the most appropriate solution. And last, but not the least, I am a team person. I enjoy being amongst the people and feeling myself a part of a team. I enjoy making new contacts and manage to win others' favour. This ability helped me throughout, especially when communicating with counterparts and collaborates from former USSR where personality greatly matters. I can take advantage of that when acting as a liaison.

Question:  "What are your strengths?"  

Question 4 : What are your accomplishments ?

There is a number of accomplishments which I can be proud of, but I will bring examples of just two of them. When I was working for the UNDP office in my country and I was only 26, I received an assignment to co-ordinate the preparation of the Human Development Report. This was quite a challenging task mainly because such a report has never been done before in my country. There was a mountain full of various data, which I simply could not understand since I came from a different background. Moreover, many of the contributors and other team members were twice as old than me, which potentially could create a problem of communicating instructions. All that against the background of tough deadlines. Knowing all that, I had to co-ordinate the whole chain from obtaining draft articles from authors to final print. I had to learn as I worked, which I did. It was truly a team work and I had to use the wisdom of my supervisor and the experience of my colleagues, apply all my interpersonal skills and intellectual capacity to get it done. Finally, the Report was published and available on-line and in hard copies. I am proud that my name is there. My greatest achievement at my last job was the successful completion of a project on legal transition in the energy sector of the former Soviet Union and some Eastern European states. This work was first and foremost based on the data pertaining to national legislations and economies of respective countries and required a solid command in English and Russian as well as the knowledge and understanding of legal concepts. I could demonstrate the ability not only to translate but also to convey the message contained in the legislations in order to conduct sensible and comprehensive analysis.

Question:  "What are your accomplishments?"  

Question 5 : What are your limitations ?

Perhaps, the Outer Space. Everything that is on Earth can be within my scope of interests. And if I am interested, I can do it. If not alone, then "with a little help from my friends". They say, an average man takes with him in the grave up to 70 per cent of his unrealized potentials. It would be a pity to waste such an opportunity.

Question:  "What are your limitations?"  

Question 6 : How much are you worth ?

I am far from putting figures next to this question. When I was 27 I was worth to become the first young lawyer from Turkmenistan to participate in the professional training program sponsored by the British Government. Three years ago I was worth offering a responsible position in a policy-making international institution. I was worth bringing me all the way from the capital of a Central Asian country to the capital of Europe. I was worth paying me salary that allowed my family to live in decent conditions and my son to get access to decent education. I am worth as much as I can offer. I am worth trying.

Question:  "How much are you worth?"  

Question 7 : What are your ambitions for the future ?

As far as my professional ambitions are concerned, I have my Program Minimum and the Program Maximum. Roughly, the Program Minimum covers the next decade or so and includes growing together with and within a company to an executive or management level. Possibly, it would be a new division expanding the company's clientele for the establishment of which I would greatly contribute. Moreover, I would like to obtain a degree on the subject of my choice to compliment my practical experience with theory. This will provide the necessary security and stability to graduate to Program Maximum, whereby I envisage to quit employment and to run my own business.

Question:  "What are your ambitions?"  

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

Bearing in mind practicalities related to the overseas relocation and the time required for familiarizing myself with the new business environment, I would be in a position to be fully engaged within 4-6 weeks. This, however, depends on whether my new role will require a swifter and more aggressive mobilization.

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

Question 9: What is your management style?

To judge about his or her management style, one has to be long enough in a management position. I would think of seeking a balance between being a friend remaining a boss. That is, having preserved the environment of ease to be strict about implementation. What is absolutely unacceptable for me is the First World War German feldwebel or Soviet Union comrade commander style, whereby the idea is that the person in charge is the one who is always right and the rest just follow the order. I believe in the team work, where everybody contributes to the success. My task as a manager is to clearly identify the task and then to co-ordinate the team effort in accomplishing it. Knowledge of each team member's major strengths and weaknesses is of paramount importance. I tried not to micromanage, leaving certain freedom of maneuver for my colleagues (not subordinates) with reasonable control to ensure timely and quality performance. My perception of a team is a family of associates than a mechanism of nuts and bolts.

Question:  "What is your management style?"  

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

I am a quick learner and possess the ability of communicating what I have learnt to others. I can organize people without extra pressure. I analise events and processes and draw conclusions from mistakes to avoid similar mistakes in the future. I try to develop my critical thinking to facilitate grasping the essence of a process or of a problem to make the right decision. I have already achieved a lot and I am ambitious, energetic and creative enough to further develop my skills and to accumulate a level of experience making a good manager.

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

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

The work experience being a primary criteria, would depend on the role I am hiring a person for. Having established that he or she fits close enough to the job, I would look for his or her personal qualities. During the interview I would try to identify his or her determination in achieving the goal, willingness to learn, openness to a differing opinion, flexibility, resourcefulness and whether he or she is a loner or a team player.

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

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

No, but I would do so if I realize that he or she deliberately sabotages performance, unwilling to change and his activity or inactivity adversely affects others.

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

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

I think the most difficult task for a manager is to find himself in the epicenter of an inner conflict between the team members. Taking sides could be equally harmful as apparent indifference. It is very important to pin down the little evil worm of conflict before it eats through the whole healthy apple. The next uneasy steps are using the common sense to localize the conflict and try to resolve it.

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

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

I feel very comfortable in the environment where my opinion counts and where I have the right to be wrong at times. I need to feel at ease and encouraged to share my ideas with others without being defensive. I don't mind pressure but not happy about unnecessary "go-go" rush when it could have been avoided. I could demonstrate better results when I could step in my manager's office for advice or with an idea at hand.

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

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

The first and foremost, The Energy Charter Secretariat was a truly international team. Such a mix allowed the organization to be immediately aware of all developments in the member-states. The system of internal communication was organised in a way to keep everybody abreast with changes in the energy world. It was a team excellent professionals and predominantly terrific personalities from whom I have learnt a lot. However, I was not completely happy about the management style and the way the organization placed itself in the outside world. I expected more of outward activities beyond the "members of the club" to assert its position compared to sister organisations. I would say that the marketing side was the weakest point of the organization. As a result, we and our works are not widely known even in the country where the headquarters are located. For me personally it meant some sort of isolation and lack of opportunity to expand personal contacts and exchange with people operating in the same field.

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

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

By virtue of the work, I was to establish and develop a network of external contacts who would provide the most adequate and prompt information at a given situation. Working on particular projects, I created a universal electronic database of legislation and other relevant data, which could be easily accessible any time to anyone in the team.

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?

Since I am a lawyer, the scope of my responsibilities generally less involve managing financial part of the business. However, when I was a project co-ordinator, I was in charge of planning and subsequent monitoring the budget of my projects. Therefore, not claiming being an expert in finances, I have some idea on "how stuff works".

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

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

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

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

Definitely, I feel more comfortable working with words. That was why I chose legal profession at the first place. The world of figures is less attractive to me and I let it rest with finance and economics wizards. Nevertheless, I believe that quantative evaluation and analysis exercises, being a part of complex projects, add to clarity and order.

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

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

I am not into mind-reading and I wish I knew what people think of me. I remain conscious about my behavior and attach great importance to interaction. From what I saw so far, I think I managed to gain certain respect and go along quite easily with all people. When I was in charge of a team of ten, I saw that my subordinates (though I don't like this word much), felt at ease to share their problems and ideas with me. I often organized semi-formal meetings, where we could discuss the progress and problems that occurred at a certain stage of project implementation. The criticism I received was always positive and constructive. I never had a feeling that people had been carrying in their minds something against me and were just waiting for a moment to stab me in the back to get rid of me. I always encouraged an open dialogue and it seem to have worked. My project teams were the most efficient and our projects received additional financing and expanded to become the largest among others in the organisation.

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

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

He was a great strategist and diplomat and was excellent negotiator and amazingly erudite. He would always give everybody a chance to express ideas, provoke intensive discussions and remained impartial and logical. He never micromanaged and allowed his team some space and independence within the deadline. However, I think he sometimes overestimated the ability of others to understand what he meant to say and the essence of the task. I also think that for a manager it is worthwhile to occasionally climb down from the Mount Olympus to see how mere mortals are doing..

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

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

Most of the criticisms that I ever received were to improve my attention to details, primarily of technical or subordination nature. I am always open to criticism if it is constructive and positive and I took them all aboard. It only helps to improve. In the end of the day, any experience counts. Yet, there was one instance which stands alone and I am still not sure whether it was a constructive criticism or a search for a scapegoat "just in case". I was included in a team of six for preparation of a policy event. By summer, when our office was on holidays and so were the most of our counterparts, the majority of the planned activities have already happened and it was decided to resume them in autumn. There was nothing serious apparently requiring immediate attention and co-ordination, except some minor details. Had there been an urgency, I assumed that my colleagues could take care of it without serious problems. Based on that assumption, I took my days of leave, yet remaining accessible and available. When I returned to the office, I realized that something happened in my absence and that was blamed on me. It took me to go to a very high level management to find out where and what was my fault. They told me that it was a wrong time to go on leave and that in my absence they had experienced communication problems with our counterparts due to language constraints. I was utterly surprised to see such a bad redistribution of responsibilities. There were other 5 members of the team perfectly aware of everything, and there were at least one trainee and one secretary speaking the language to take a couple of calls. I was to blame in unprofessional behavior. To me, the fact that a couple of calls triggered so much ado and caused nervousness going as high as the top management, was evident of poor team management. The bottom line is, I do not accept criticism aiming at laying someone's irresponsibility on my head.

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

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

My last boss would say that if there is a need to find out about sand movements on the Moon during eclipse, they would ask me. They know that I can find any information anywhere. They know that they can trust me to liaise with the Russian speaking world. They know that I am good at preparing presentations, making them illustrative, informative yet interesting. I presume that they also know that I can be the last to speak up around the table and perhaps find me somewhat hesitant. However, if you speak to my previous managers, they could be surprised to hear such a portrayal. To the contrary, they would say that I was the one who spoke up and proposed solutions in seemingly unpromising situations. It all depends on where you call and what kind of environment I happened to be in.

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

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

I generally dislike situations when everybody is to put in a position to run around like headless chicken and scream "we need it yesterday!". I believe that if things are well organized, fire alarm situations can be avoided. However, occasional emergency is an inevitable part of office life. When it happens to me I try not to panic but rather heavily concentrate on what and how to do.

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

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

It depends on the circumstances. When there is no one to take the lead, I would do it. If there is lack of manpower and I can help I don't mind doing line work.

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

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

When I just started at my last job and had a look around, I realised that relations with real business is the weakest part of our organisation. All decisions taken within our policy making organisation sooner or later have an impact on real business. Therefore, it appeared bizarre to me that business circles had not been represented. Together with other colleagues, we prepared a memo and conducted a series of meetings on this matter to bring it to consideration of the top management. It was not soon but the management finally took a decision to establish the Industry Advisory Panel, which is due to begin operating in a short while."

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

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

It would be a company that has been long established in the market and that continues to grow. My dream job would be the one where I would apply to the best all my skills, capabilities and background. As far particular industry is concerned, I would rather work in the oil and gas industry, international law firm or consulting and, perhaps surprisingly, PR. The first three suit my previous experience and PR is my personal predilection and it is something that I would do if I were to start over again.

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

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

Not at all, provided that the results will be announced to me.

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

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

Indeed so. Moreover, I have an artistic mind and I try to add a feature of beauty to what I do. I can generate ideas or pick up on something that was given less attention to by others and turn it into an idea. I can also suggest the best way to implement a project.

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

Question 30: How do you describe your personality?

I am very much the son of the country where there are 300 days of sunshine! I love being among people, interacting with them, getting to know them. I am less productive when isolated from the team. Perhaps, I get emotional at times but as I grow old, I learn to control myself. I am a reasonable optimist in the sense that I do not get overexcited about things but I try to see the other side of the coin. I possess determination in getting things done. Perhaps at times I am too humble about my own achievements, but this is something that is disappearing the longer I live in the West.

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

Question 31: What is your outside reading you do?

I read Russian and foreign classics, fantasy and periodicals.

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

Question 32: What are some of your outside activities?

My favorite pastime is family outings and traveling to other countries. When I was a student, I used to play in a band and still play guitar and sing with my friends. I like computer graphics and sound engineering therefore very well familiar with Photoshop and other applications. I do jogging and go to the gym to keep myself fit.

Question:  "What are some of.... ?"  

Question 33: Are you continuing your education?

I am planning to apply for a program leading to Master's degree in law. I would like to obtain an in-depth knowledge in international law with emphasis on international trade and law of natural resources. I am now at the stage of selecting a university offering such a course.

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

CURRICULUM VITAE

Do you wish to see Dovlet's confidential information such as references, diplomas, achievements, etc ? If yes request confidential code via Email contact : dovlet.ovezov@exec.org

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