Career coaching
Every career starts with a successful interview...
Competition on the globalised labour market is getting tougher every year. Professional and human skills are a basic prerequisite that every candidate must bring along. However, the total expenditure for further education and training is of little use to you, should you not be able to present your strengths and competences convincingly in the interview.
From my many years of experience, I know that a large part of the candidates fails with relatively simple entry questions. The primary aim of an interview is to establish that technical skills, management skills and personality match to the job description. A diligent interview will always focus on these outcomes.
Also a successful mastering of interview skills is essential, and more importantly these skills can be learned. Thanks to more than 25 years of experience in various industrial sectors, I am able to prepare you optimally. I know the whole spectrum of unpleasant interview questions as well as the usual interview techniques.
Interview-Coaching
it depends on the "how" ...
Imparting the basics and important tips on posture are a part of the coaching process. However in this "real life" interview we will work through the parts which cause you problems. We will practive all the relevant topics together until you feel comfortable. Together we practice all important conversation areas such as
Professional competencies (training, further education, practical experience); interpersonal relationships (contact behaviour, integration, cooperation, conviction); intellectual capabilities
(communication skills, problem identification and analysis, stress tolerance); working style (organisation, care, speed, initiative, decision-making) and presentation (flexibility, creativity, appearance).
Career-Coaching
Has your career come to a standstill?
Do you have problems with members of your team? Do you want to build an international team or lead one? Let me advise you and benefit from my extensive experience and intercultural competence.
Profile
Why I become a coach
Rooted in the family
The decision to become a coach has roots in my original family. Both parents were in health care, and since my childhood, they have influenced me by their ability to help and advice. The ability to quickly gain the trust of others lies probably in our genes – my sister is a social worker, and already in our youth, we both knew how to listen with empathy to others who seek our advice.
Experience and know-how
After completing an interview preparation course ten years ago, a wave of layoffs had just begun, and I decided to share my acquired knowledge and long-term experience as an interviewer with my friends who were affected by those layoffs.
Feedback and decision
I received positive feedback that working directly with me was better than visiting the Outplacement Center. This convinced me to dedicate myself to it as a profession fully.
more than 25 years of experience ...
- Born in Budweis, Czechia
- Studied Analytical Chemistry at Charles University in Prague, a resident of Switzerland since 1990
- More than 25 years in the industry in various roles as a member of the Management Board, member of the Board of Directors, middle Management Novartis Pharma AG, leading up to 60 direct reports.
- More than 250 interviews conducted
- Further Education "Efficient Interviewing for Managers", Managing of Managers
- Certified Coach and Consultant (CTAS/ISO/ICI)
- Experience in Quality Assurance, Development, Manufacturing,
- Supply Chain (APICS certified as CPIM, CSCP) and general management, multilingual: German, Swiss-German, English, Czech, Slovak, Russian
- Married, father of 3 daughters, grandfather
- Hobbies: Ice hockey goaltender, modern history, music, politics
Questions
Are you prepared for the questions?
A large pool of questions from all areas has been compiled over the years, to best prepare you for the actual interview. (here few examples only)
Tell me about yourself.
It seems like an easy interview question. It’s open-ended. I can talk about whatever I want from the birth forward. Right? Wrong. What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you’re the best candidate for this position.
So as you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity. “Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.
What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I just work and work and work.” Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: “I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . .” then show them your planner and how you are using it. Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.
If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.
For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.
Stay focused on the positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
Testimonials
That's what my customers say ...
Even though I have worked in a highly multicultural environment at different roles and have been through some enriching interview sessions, I still feel that I am not a person who could promote my own skills. However, after meeting Vaclav my perspective and outlook changed as he guided me through to tackle certain critical things which act as a game changer in the interviews. He also helped me to perfect my own skillsets which I find highly valuable and encouraging. No matter how proficient or confident you are, I personally have experienced that there are times when speaking to a subject matter expert helps you clear your own thoughts and gives you a crisp direction to tackle given questions. It’s extremely important to be able to communicate and deliver your message in a short time span. If you can nail it well you will indeed have a higher probability to be called for the next round! If you are looking to excel at interviews and gain clarity on your career path I would recommend a face to face session with Vaclav.
D.P. Logistic Specialist
A friend recommended me to contact this highly skilled professional with many years of coaching experience and right after, I landed in an interview for the job of my dreams. I looked at several career coaching websites and after speaking with Vaclav I knew he was the person I would get me the right help to put my best foot forward on the day of my interview. He helped me in so many ways both big and small. He has an amazing wealth of knowledge and experience and he uses it in the best way to reinforce and highlight your most suitable skills. The great coaching he provided me really helped a lot.
E.C. IT Specialist
When it comes to marketing my own skills, I would draw a blank. Until I did the interviewing preparation session with Vaclav. He helped me build my own brand identity, make myself visible and structure my ideas into clear messages. I find these highly valuable skills that have been helping me at job interviews as well as daily work situations. Vaclav is an extremely personable and highly energetic coach. He has the tools, deep understanding and clear structure to take professionals to the next level. Most importantly, he connects to the person. During the interview session, he quickly understood my own strengths and motivation and applied easy to follow steps that suit my personality. I highly recommend the interview sessions with Vaclav for anyone looking to improve interview performance and career development
D.A. Financial Analyst, Basel
I had a highly efficient job interview preparation with Vaclav. He helped me to reflect on the content and structure of my CV and master the self-presentation. My biggest learning was how to tell my story by answering standard interview questions and how to make a strong and positive impression. We practiced questions and answers until my answers from lengthy and somewhat boring became crisp and concise. By coincidence my job interview was planned the following day and I got a chance to practice my new skills. Vaclav’s tips and energy were still there and I was less nervous and more efficient during the interview. It just went on the fly. And most importantly… I got the job! I would highly recommend doing the interview coaching with Vaclav to anyone who wants to make the best impression in a situation that matters most!
P.E. Supply chain professional, Basel
Auch wenn ich in einem hochgradig multikulturellen Umfeld in verschiedenen Rollen gearbeitet habe und einige bereichernde Interview-Sitzungen durchlaufen habe, fühle ich mich immer noch nicht als jemand, der seine eigenen Fähigkeiten optimal verkaufen kann.
Doch nach dem Treffen mit Vaclav änderte sich meine Perspektive und mein Jobcahncen, als er mich durch bestimmte kritische Dinge führte, die in den Interviews als kritisch eingestuft werden.
Er hat mir auch geholfen, meine eigenen Fähigkeiten zu perfektionieren, was ich sehr wertvoll und ermutigend finde.
Egal, wie kompetent oder selbstbewusst Sie sind, ich habe persönlich erlebt, dass es Zeiten gibt, in denen das Gespräch mit einem Fachexperten hilft, Ihre eigenen Gedanken zu ordnen und Ihnen eine klare Richtung gibt, wie mit den gestellten Fragen optimal umzugehen.
Es ist äußerst wichtig, dass Sie in der Lage sind, in kurzer Zeit Ihre Botschaft zu übermitteln. Wenn Sie es gut hinbekommen, haben Sie in der Tat eine höhere Chance, eingestellt oder für die nächste Runde aufgeboten zu werden!
Wenn Sie bei den Interviews glänzen wollen und Klarheit über Ihren Karriereweg gewinnen möchten, würde ich Ihnen eine persönliche Sitzung mit Vaclav empfehlen.
D.P. Logistik Spezialist, Basel
Ein Freund empfahl mir, diesen hochqualifizierten Profi mit langjähriger Coaching-Erfahrung zu kontaktieren und gleich danach bekam ich den Termin für ein Interview für den Job meiner Träume. Ich schaute mir einige Karriere-Coaching-Websites und nachdem ich mit Vaclav gesprochen hatte, wusste ich, dass er die Person war, die mir die richtig helfen würde, um das Interview zu meistern. Er hat mir auf so viele Arten geholfen, im Grossen und auch im Detail. Er verfügt über einen erstaunlichen Reichtum an Wissen und Erfahrung und er nutzt es auf die beste Art und Weise, um Ihre Fähigkeiten zu festigen und hervorzuheben. Das tolle Coaching, das er mir gegeben hat, hat mir sehr geholfen.
E.C. IT Spezialist
Wenn es darum ging, meine eigenen Fähigkeiten zu vermarkten, war ich eine Anfängerin, bis ich die Interviewvorbereitung mit Vaclav absolviert habe. Er half mir, meine eigene Markenidentität aufzubauen und meine Ideen in klare Botschaften zu strukturieren. Diese sehr wertvollen Fähigkeiten haben mir sowohl bei Bewerbungsgesprächen als auch bei der täglichen Arbeit geholfen. Vaclav ist ein äußerst sympathischer und hochenergetischer Coach. Er hat die Werkzeuge, das tiefe Verständnis und die klare Struktur, um Profis und Ihrer Kariere auf höhere Ebene zu bringen. Das Wichtigste ist, dass er sehr schnell im Stande ist eine persönliche Beziehung und Vertrauen aufzubauen. Während des Vorstellungsgesprächs konnte er meine eigenen Stärken und meine eigene Motivation verstehen und wendete einfach zu befolgende Schritte an, die zu meiner Persönlichkeit passen. Ich empfehle die Interviewsitzungen mit Vaclav für jeden, der das Vorstellungsgespräch und seine Karriereaussichten verbessern möchte.
D.A. Finanzexpertin, Basel
Pana Václava Šulistu mohu jako odborníka na interview coaching vřele doporučit. Jeho rady opravdu pomohou při pohovoru. Ma výbornou slovní zásobu nejen v německém jazyce ale i v anglickém jazyce, opravdový profesionál. V případě další potřeby se na něho ráda zase obrátím.
J.M., specialista logistiky
