How do you demonstrate your procurement competencies in your resume and interviews?

To show potential employers that you will add value to the organization, focus on more than just technical experience. Talk about how important it is for Procurement to be involved with internal stakeholders early in the process to leverage knowledge and expertise to head off potential challenges early on. Also discuss how you work collaboratively with suppliers to develop and maintain relationships. Nobody wants the hard-nosed bully procurement officer or buyer anymore. How can you add to the team with your experience, knowledge, communication, cooperation, servant-leader mentality to help elevate the team, the organization, and the career field? You can. Show them.

Para ser el mejor en una entrevista en compras debes centrarte en los beneficios que aportas. El enfoque debe ser QUÉ consigues con tu trabajo (con datos de volúmenes o importes) y CÓMO lo haces. Ayuda mucho preparar ejemplos reales específicos que puedan ratificar lo que cuentas. También ser capaz de relacionar tu experiencia previa con el puesto de la oferta. Pensar qué tienen en común, y por qué encajas en esa posición.

It is crucial to pay attention to your non-verbal communication too during the interview. Non-verbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, can greatly impact the impression you make on the interviewer. Here are some ways to improve your non-verbal communication: Maintain good posture, Make eye contact, Smile and show positive expressions, Use appropriate hand gestures, Pay attention to your tone of voice By practicing and being mindful of your non-verbal communication, you can enhance your overall interview performance and effectively convey your suitability for the role and organization.

I've been on both sides of the fence with interviews and using real case examples where problems have been solved really hits the nail on the head. Recruiting organisations all have problems, they want to see how an individual has solved similar problems in the past - were they creative, carried out the solution under pressure, worked together to solve the problem in a team and so on. These questions need to be planned well advance by the recruiting company and the interviewee needs to practice their 'problem solving' areas over and over again so it flows well in the interview.

Having firm examples is a sure-fire way to impress in interviews of how you added value to the organisation. But these have to be specific with little flakiness associated to them, such as 'I streamlined the procurement processes' - what does this actually mean? This is where part of the SMART framework can be used, the more quantifiable they are the better. Anything can be quantified, just some areas are more difficult to quantify than others.

Self awareness is the first point to success You have to know your strengths, your weaknesses and take the right actions to achieve your goals.

Conducting a self-assessment is crucial for identifying and highlighting core competencies in procurement. This involves recognizing skills such as strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and risk mitigation that set you apart in the field. Reflecting on instances where you sought additional training or education to stay updated on procurement methodologies showcases a commitment to continuous improvement. A robust self-assessment forms the foundation for effectively communicating your strengths in interviews and on your resume.

This is great advice. Establishing a realistic SMART personal/professional development plan that aligns with both your own and your employer's goals is crucial for steady and consistent growth. Additionally, I recommend finding a good coach or mentor. If you're fortunate, your supervisor or a more senior colleague with the right attitude and commitment can assist in identifying suitable development activities (not only training) and ensuring disciplined plan execution.

self-awareness always requires benchmarking because you need to know not only if it is working or not but also what better methods are out there. Hence taking courses and keeping up to date is vital.

Your self-assessment tips should involve reflecting on skills and achievements, identifying areas for improvement, setting clear goals, seeking feedback, staying updated, tracking and improving your progress, emphasizing soft skills, and probably the most important but also the most demanding aspect is staying flexible to new opportunities and challenges.

Putting yourself in recruiters shoes, who have to scan 100s if not 1000 applications daily helps us to understand them better. Short summary highlighting your achievements and diverse applications you used and what makes you stand out from other candidates would be helpful

Ter uma rede com boas conexões, que contribua com conteúdos técnicos da área é fundamental pra expandir nossos conhecimentos, que muitas vezes, se limita de acordo com o ambiente e profissionais que convivemos no trabalho! Com toda certeza, abre um leque de oportunidades de aprendizado e inspirações!

Optimizing your online presence, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, is a key element of showcasing procurement competencies. Ensure that your profile reflects specific details about your achievements, responsibilities, and any relevant articles or posts you've shared. Actively participating in professional groups and associations related to procurement enhances visibility and networking opportunities. Engage in discussions, share insights, and connect with professionals to strengthen your online presence within the procurement community.

In my experience, a strong online presence can enhance your interview: 1) Professional Profiles: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated with relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments. 2) Industry Engagement: Participate in relevant online communities or forums, showcasing your knowledge and thought leadership. 3) Content Creation: Consider writing articles or blog posts on procurement topics, demonstrating your expertise. A polished online presence positions you as a knowledgeable and engaged professional in the procurement field.

As Director of Government Contracts at MHEC, I've observed the increasing importance of a strong online presence for procurement professionals. A colleague at a major university recently shared how their institution's procurement team leveraged LinkedIn to showcase their expertise and achievements. By optimizing their profiles with relevant keywords and engaging in industry discussions, they attracted top-tier suppliers and forged valuable connections. This trend underscores the necessity for procurement professionals to build a robust online presence. Creating an online portfolio, participating in forums, and following industry leaders are essential steps to stay competitive and informed in the evolving procurement landscape.

In addition, developing soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership is an important way to progress your procurement career. There are loads of resources online that can help with this. Learning about your wider business, through collaboration, co-location or secondment is a great way to develop a broader business understanding. Stay up to date with changes in the marketplace and with technology. Gather market intelligence related to your suppliers, competitors, and industry. Look at pricing trends, supply chain disruptions, and emerging risks that could impact procurement decisions. Most important is understanding how technology and automation could help you to become more effective.

Be prepared to share your failures too, as these are valuable lessons when it comes to personal development. It’s easy to answer when someone asks you to name your strengths, but I often struggle to get the same quality of answer around weaknesses. So stand out, be very aware of yours, and what you are doing about them.

Developing a personal development plan is essential for showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement. This plan may include ongoing training, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences. It demonstrates a proactive approach to staying current in the field and adapting to evolving industry trends. Networking within the procurement community through industry events, webinars, and connections with professionals further reinforces your dedication to personal and professional growth.

What generally stands out these days is the Strategic Sourcing competency and being able to work around key spend areas where quality, cost and supply chain experiences are enhanced with improved risk management through the power of supply network. Individuals as champions around this drive a lot of value for entities and are seen as Game changers.

In my experience, the network effect is not limited to online platforms! I really enjoy "official" procurement conferences but also small events. You always get a fresh perspective, and meet someone new which can lead to further collaboration and knowledge exchange

as someone with two decades of procurement, I hired people in my team based on both soft skills and technical skills. Hard skills, procurement experience is critical but not always, for example there are niche areas of procurement that requires a more open minded approach. And then, hiring someone with Category Knowledge is even more important than hiring procurement specialists. Procurement policies and ways of working can be learned. Depending on the strategic area of procurement: spend+strategic importance + impact you need to keep your recruitment requirements very diverse. I encourage my clients/mentees to write down in the CV a selection of key project, their wins.

To showcase procurement competencies in your resume and interviews, highlight relevant experience, quantify achievements, mention relevant skills, and highlight software proficiency. Prepare examples of successful procurement projects, demonstrate problem-solving skills, demonstrate negotiation skills, and emphasize relationship-building. Show adaptability to changing market conditions and industry trends. Tailor your resume and interview responses to the specific requirements and responsibilities of the procurement role you are applying for.

Para demostrar lo que sabes en una entrevista de trabajo debes presentar datos y casos concretos. Comentar ejemplos. Si lo haces contando una historia mucho mejor. Te recordarán con facilidad. Explica los beneficios que consigues con tu trabajo. No hables de ti sino de lo que puedes aportar. Usa tu creatividad. Y no te olvides de transmitir toda tu pasión y ganas 🙌🏻

Based on you answer. You know nothing about business, let alone procurement. You do not know whether you need a procurement professional or an IT professional. Please, sit down, take a course, learn something and then you maybe suitable to hire a professional.

In addition to the specific tips for resume building, interviews, self-assessment, and online presence, consider broader aspects. Highlighting cultural fit by emphasizing your ability to work effectively within teams is crucial. Results-oriented language, showcasing the impact of your procurement initiatives, is key in both written documents and interviews. If relevant, emphasizing a global perspective in procurement, such as experience with international suppliers or global supply chains, adds a valuable dimension to your profile. Balancing technical skills with interpersonal qualities and effectively communicating this balance across various platforms completes a holistic strategy for demonstrating procurement competencies.