Letter from the StudentsConnect Editor

 Happy Holidays! Congratulations on completing another year. Reflect back on your successes so you can better prepare for those things you would like to improve on. Feel free to ask for help or seek out a mentor to help you along. I hope you enjoy the freedom of finishing your finals and sleeping in a little longer. We are closing out the year with more interview and writing tips, and a great article on choosing a major. Have a great day.  

Shene’ Commodore, CPCM, is the government contracts manager with Intertek Testing Services.

Interview Preparation
By: Shene’ Commodore

More on interview preparation and ways to set yourself apart from the competition.    

Think back to a situation in which you had to resolve a conflict. Tell me how you did it. Interpersonal skills are critical because you are required to interact with people on a daily basis. It’s important for hiring managers to understand how you effectively interact with people and resolve issues. The importance of customer service (internal/external) and the company’s best interest are key factors. Choose a couple of examples to demonstrate your ability to be respectful, yet firm enough to maintain integrity within the scope of your daily responsibilities.

What do you do in your spare time? This is another opportunity to show you’ve done your homework on the company. If you see anything on the company website that is related to any of your interests, charity work, etc., these might be of interest to the interviewer. Being able to bridge connections between you and the company you interview with will definitely help your interview.

What other types of jobs or companies are you considering? This gives the interviewer an idea of competition for your talent/skills among other similar companies. This is a great opportunity to highlight your skills and interests which may not be evident in your résumé but are of great added value to the company you are interviewing with. Your answer should show your level of interest and career development plans, and how you may fit within the organization. 

Do you have any questions for us? Ask specific questions regarding daily tasks, expectations, projects, organization and departmental goals, organizational/management styles, company culture, philosophy, etc. The hiring manager will understand that you have done your due diligence in researching the company. This helps the interviewer determine your level of interest in the company. Are you really interested or are you just looking for a job until something better comes along? It's good to ask questions!

Deciding on a Major 
By: Dominique Davis

Read more >>>  

Events

The 49th annual Aerospace and Defense Contract Management Conference will be held in Glendale, Arizona, March 17–18, 2011. The conference is unique for many reasons, but especially because it is the only conference that caters directly to those focused in aerospace and defense contracting. Attend alongside over 350 fellow contract management professionals from across the nation to learn about and discuss today's hottest aerospace and defense topics.

Learning Corner

This section is dedicated to answering the questions you submit. Definitions and basic contract learning tools will also be provided here.

 
Definitions:

• Fact finding: The process of identifying and obtaining information necessary to complete the evaluation of proposals.
• Financial analysis: Includes international financial analysis, return on assets, return on investment, asset turnover, and variance analysis.
• Operations management: The concepts, techniques, and practices used in managing the operations of an organization.

NCMA Resources:

NCMA has established the Guide to the Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK) as the prevailing guidance for how universities should align their contract management curricula. The guide provides the knowledge areas and competencies that are integral to the contract management process and the contract management profession. Visit the NCMA Bookstore to learn more about the CMBOK and other NCMA publications.

Benefits of NCMA Student Membership include:

• Networking opportunities with experts;
  
• Real-life experience in your field;
  
• Great savings on advanced training; and
  
• The opportunity to have your work published in NCMA publications, such as Contract Management magazine and the annual Journal of Contract Management.

Sign up for NCMA Student Membership!

If you know others who would benefit from an NCMA membership, please forward this newsletter to them and encourage them to join. Also, please feel free to send this newsletter to any faculty members who may be interested
in learning more about contract management or NCMA. If there is enough interest, your school may be eligible to charter a Student Chapter and receive all of the benefits of a regular chapter.

For more information, contact NCMA Customer Service at memberservices@ncmahq.org or call 800-344-8096.