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A Job Seeker's Guide to Interviewing - Protis Global

As a job seeker, finding the right role goes beyond ticking boxes on your skills checklist.

The experience you encounter in a new position will significantly impact your overall job satisfaction and performance.

During the interview process, it’s essential to pay attention to more than just the technical aspects of the job. In this blog post, we will guide you through the key elements to look for when interviewing for a new role, ensuring you uncover the perfect employee experience that aligns with your values and aspirations.

company-culture-in-office

Job Seeker Tip #1: Observe the Company’s Culture

One of the most critical aspects of your interview experience is how well you fit within the company culture. Company culture encompasses the organization’s values, norms, and work environment. During the interview, take note of the company’s values and mission. Consider how these align with your own principles and beliefs. A harmonious cultural fit creates a sense of belonging and enables you to thrive in the workplace, leading to a more fulfilling experience.

opportunities-for-growth-at-work

Job Seeker Tip #2: Opportunities for Growth

A job that offers opportunities for growth and development can be a game-changer for your career. Inquire about the company’s approach to professional development during the interview. Are there mentorship programs, skill-building workshops, or opportunities for advancement within the organization? A company invested in nurturing its employees’ growth will empower you to reach your full potential and excel in your role.

Job Seeker Tip #3: A Supportive Leadership Team

A supportive leadership team can make a world of difference in your experience in the new role. During the interview, try to gauge the management style of your potential supervisors. Are they approachable, open to feedback, and invested in their team members’ success? Strong leadership provides guidance and encouragement, fostering a positive work environment where you can thrive and contribute effectively.

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Job Seeker Tip #4: Aligns with Your Lifestyle Needs

A healthy lifestyle is essential for your overall well-being and productivity. During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask about the company’s policies regarding work hours, flexible work options, and support for personal commitments. Finding a job that allows you to maintain a healthy equilibrium between your professional and personal life, resulting in higher job satisfaction.

Job Seeker Tip #5: Team Recognition and Appreciation 

Feeling valued and appreciated for your contributions is a vital aspect of your experience on the team. Inquire about the company’s approach to employee recognition during the interview. A company that acknowledges and celebrates its teams’ achievements fosters a positive and motivating work environment, encouraging you to put your best foot forward and excel in your role.

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Job Seeker Tip #6: Look for a Collaborative Team Environment

A collaborative team environment can significantly impact your day-to-day work experience. Pay attention to how team members interact during the interview process. Are they supportive, cooperative, and respectful of each other’s ideas? Working in a collaborative team allows you to leverage diverse perspectives, enhances creativity, and builds strong professional relationships.

Job Seeker Tip #7: Look for Transparent Communication

Transparent communication is the bedrock of a healthy work environment. During the interview, observe how openly information is shared and how your potential employer encourages feedback and ideas from their team. Posters, internal communication notices on TV screens, and other team communication avenues throughout the office space are a good sign that this is part of the culture. Transparent communication fosters trust and ensures that you are well-informed about company goals, changes, and developments, leading to a more engaged and informed employee experience.

Job Seeker Tip #8: Employee Benefits and Perks

Employee benefits and perks can greatly enhance your overall experience with a company. During the interview, inquire about the comprehensive benefits package, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Additional perks like flexible schedules, wellness programs, or a fun office culture can contribute to a more satisfying work experience.

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Job Seeker Tip #9: A Sense of Purpose

Having a sense of purpose in your work is incredibly fulfilling. During the interview, discuss the company’s mission and how your role contributes to achieving it. A clear sense of purpose empowers you to connect your daily tasks with meaningful impact, motivating you to give your best and stay dedicated to the organization’s goals. Additionally, as a job seeker, you will present as interested in the overall business goals, which will leave a lasting impression on your interviewers.

Conclusion

As a job seeker, evaluating the employee experience during the interview process is crucial to finding the perfect role. Beyond technical skills, consider factors such as company culture, opportunities for growth, a supportive leadership team recognition, collaborative team dynamics, transparent communication, employee benefits, and a sense of purpose.

Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about the right fit for your career aspirations and values. A positive employee experience will not only enhance your job satisfaction but also enable you to unleash your full potential and achieve long-term success in your chosen role.

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

Cannabis
Cannabis

“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

arla-testimonial

Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

poppi-testimonial

Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

arla-testimonial

Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

coppali-testimonail

Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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