by Carla Herren

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that for one of the first times in the Bentonville arena it is acceptable for a potential employer to learn that you have been downsized. At one time that did not sit well. In today’s market we are seeing positions eliminated at all levels, from analyst to VP of Sales. I don’t have to go into the bad news; it is blasted on the front page of every newspaper and at the top of every news broadcast.

The bottom line is there are many very talented candidates out of work today. Living in the Bentonville bubble does afford some protection. Walmart is an account for which most vendors can’t afford to lose their top talent. At CSA our clients are still looking for the best. They are not resorting to Monster and CareerBuilder. They require the same caliber of talent and expect to interview polished professionals, just as they did before the current economic turmoil.

But if you’ve just been downsized or expect the axe to fall any day, you may be feeling more panicked than polished. When you get the chance to interview, you don’t want to come across as desperate or fearful. You want to walk in with a warm smile and a firm handshake, ready to connect. You know you are competing with that candidate who is not out of work and interviews calmly and confidently.

Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for your next opportunity. Getting this information together in advance will help you react quickly when we call:

• Have a few good questions about the company and/or the position;
• Be prepared to share examples of how you have made a difference in your positions that are similar to the job profile;
• Have a few stories of how you have made a difference in your company, i.e., a few success stories of how you helped to advance the business, worked with adifficult situation to turn it around, came up with a creative solution to a problem, etc.
• Research the company (if possible, go to a Walmart store and check out their product on the shelf);
• Have a positive answer to why you are looking to make a move from your present situation.

By remaining calm and positive, you reflect the capable, confident professional that hiring managers want to meet.