What to Expect at the Interview Forum in Stamford

With the Interview Forum coming up on November 4^th and 5^th, we have been getting a lot of questions from invited candidates about what to expect. I personally remember all too well how nervous and excited I was. Before I went, I found this blog post very helpful.  Jared points out three key things to be thinking about during your time at Forum:

1. How do you fit in?  It’s always a good idea to have a clear picture of why you think GE is the right company, and what you think you could offer. 
2. How do you lead?  In a company that has produced countless CEOs, it’s also good to reflect upon your personal leadership style and attributes. 
3. Remember, it’s your chance to shine.  As for the presentation, while this may be different than other interviews you have done, think of this as another way to distinguish your personal brand.  What are you passionate about?  How can you tie that into a career at GE?  Remember, your presentation skills and ability to persuade is really what is evaluated, and not your expertise.  Be creative and memorable to distinguish yourself from the pack.

Ultimately, the Interview Forum was an incredible experience for me, which you can read more about here and in an MBA Journal entry I wrote for Business Week last spring. Or see the excerpt below:

The agenda for the forum was the perfect mix of formal and informal—with plenty of time for questions and networking, in addition to one-on-one interviews and the “final pitch,” where each candidate has five minutes to pitch a business concept or new product/service idea to a room full of candidates and interviewers. Most exciting was how many senior-level employees took time to attend the event. GE’s CMO, Beth Comstock, was the keynote speaker, and at dinner I sat at a table with GE Capital’s CMO, Lee Cooper. Many current ECLPs were also in attendance, so I was able to get an authentic picture of what my life would be like as an ECLP. I genuinely liked everyone I met—from other candidates to current ECLPs to C-level officers.

Obviously, a big question on everyone’s mind is “the pitch.” As Jared mentions in his post, it is more important to be passionate and polished than to have an airtight business plan and flawless domain knowledge. So, find a subject or idea that excites you and that you believe in. Of course, you will need to make sure the idea is relevant to GE and that you are thinking like a business person in terms of how you present the opportunity.

Above all, make sure you practice on friends, loved ones and professors – don’t get so caught up on finding a great idea that you don’t take time to nail the delivery. As you get closer to Forum, ask your listeners to be more critical - to listen to your pitch and pull it apart – that way, you’ll be prepared for any questions you may get.

The ECLP Blog will be hosting a online chat session to discuss all aspects of the Interview Forum. This will be a chance for you to ask questions in a safe environment. Stayed tuned for details. In the meantime, practice and get excited. We look forward to seeing you in Stamford!

Posted by Kathleen