You're interviewing for a Vendor Manager position. What's the most important thing to remember?

1 Know your vendors

One of the first things that your interviewer will want to know is how familiar you are with the vendors that you've worked with or will work with in the future. You should be able to name some of the key vendors in your field, their products or services, their strengths and weaknesses, their pricing and delivery terms, and their performance and quality metrics. You should also be able to explain how you selected, vetted, and onboarded them, and how you maintained regular communication and feedback with them.

4 Ask smart questions

A final part of your interview will be to ask smart questions that demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the Vendor Manager role. You should avoid asking generic or obvious questions that can be easily found on the company's website or social media. Instead, you should ask specific and relevant questions that show your curiosity and insight into the company's vendor management challenges and opportunities. For example, you might ask about the company's vendor management strategy, goals, priorities, or initiatives, the vendor management team's structure, culture, or collaboration, or the vendor management best practices, trends, or innovations that the company follows or adopts.

5 The most important thing

The most important thing to remember when you're interviewing for a Vendor Manager position is to be confident and authentic. You should highlight your achievements and successes as a Vendor Manager, but also acknowledge your areas of improvement and learning. You should showcase your skills and competencies as a Vendor Manager, but also express your willingness and eagerness to learn new ones. You should align your goals and expectations with those of your potential employer, but also be honest and realistic about your fit and suitability. You should ask smart questions that demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the Vendor Manager role, but also listen and respond to the interviewer's questions and feedback. By doing so, you will show that you are a professional, competent, and passionate Vendor Manager who can add value to the company and its vendors.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?