Inevitably, in a book telling you how to interview, I have included a lot of difficulties, problems, and the occasional catastrophe! Now is the time to reassure you that it isn't always as difficult. This example shows how you can be fortunate. My Operations Managers were asking for a resource to provide quick specialist tools, fixtures, and facilities. These required a mixture of mechanical and electrical engineering skills and an ability to listen to the Ops Manager's people and deliver something quickly, experimenting if necessary. The Financial Director (FD) would not agree to a permanent contract, so I wanted someone past retirement age (no longer legal), so there was no problem terminating the contract. I also didn't want to pay too much so the person had to live nearby to avoid traveling costs. I advertised in the local newspaper and had one application from someone who lived a mile distant. He had worked maintaining the land-based connections of undersea cables on islands strung across the Pacific Ocean. He was a self starter and could do anything! He was also retired and a very intelligent, softly spoken man. He was extremely successful and played a big part in raising the performance levels. When we couldn't afford him anymore, he offered to work for nothing as he enjoyed it so much!

Despite all the difficulties you may face finding the ideal candidate, sometimes you will be lucky. You always have an ability to vary the skill specification to make your own luck. But be careful not to move too far from the established specification until, and unless, you are confident you understand, and can cope with, the ramifications.

Together, we have worked through, and you have practiced, the basic skills, the observational skills, the interview questioning skills, and the post-interview selection process.

When you have completed all the activities in this book, you will be ready to interview.

More than that, your interview panel colleagues and candidates will be impressed, and you will be prepared and confident every time you enter the interview room throughout your career.

I wish you every success in your management career.