video interview-compressed

0:05

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

Hi, Mr. Melvin. My name is Celeste Cortez. Today I'm going to be conducting an executive interview for my course. I'm honored to be speaking with you. I know you're a technical project manager at Trace Systems, where you manage IT and communication systems supporting the military. So thank you so much for joining me. Thank you for having me. Thank you. Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your current role?

0:33

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Well, my name is Melvin Cortez, Jr. I'm a current technical project manager for Trace Systems. Prior to that, I'm a disabled veteran from the United States Army. I did about 12 years doing a signal system support specialist, being a senior, which led me to the current career that I'm in in information technology. Well, thank you so much for your service.

1:01

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

It's an honor to be here with you today. Thank you for your support. What does a typical day look like for you in your position? A typical day, we'll start off with a kickoff meeting, just meeting with all the stakeholders, vendors, or anybody involved in our current daily projects or any high-vis projects that we're currently working on,

1:30

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Meeting with the customer, which is normally what we call green suitors, which is whether U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines that are currently working on the project that we're supporting. Thank you. And what inspires you to pursue a career in management? Just willing to mentor and lead individuals and being on a team and actually.

2:00

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Feeling a sense of accomplishment when you're working with a group of individuals like-minded on a task and being able to complete that. Okay. And are you currently happy in that position? Most definitely. Being in a position definitely is encouraging. It's uplifting. And you get to...

2:29

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Work alongside people that are very smart, intriguing, and, you know, you can learn so much from just working on a team with somebody over time and working on a project. So I definitely like it. Okay. Would you say that is something that motivates you or what is something that currently motivates you?

2:58

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Filling a sense of accomplishment is what motivates me. Completing a project to a high level, completing it on time, definitely is. And then under budget, those are some of the things in a higher optimal area. It pushes me and my team to work a little bit harder, a little bit faster.

3:27

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

you know getting the job done right so okay and is that something that keeps your team motivated or what is something that keeps your team motivated uh i would say what keeps my team motivated is um the constant um uplift uh mentorship and communication um

3:52

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Just having a heart-to-heart with people sometimes, uplifts their spirits, letting them know you care, being supportive, acknowledging their feelings is one of the biggest things. And it all comes back to communication. So definitely I would say that. Well, I love hearing that. I'm sure that your team appreciates that and it's super important. Thank you. It's served me well so far.

4:21

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Can you share one of your best experiences as a manager? Just being able to assist people in their growth, progression, or their career path. Being able to mentor somebody.

4:42

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Basically put out a plan for them and help them achieve those goals are definitely some of the greatest experiences as a manager. Because you always want the next generation or the next man or lady to achieve this.

5:00

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

the same thing you've done or greater. So there's no greater joy in helping somebody with their career progression and actually grow as an individual within their career path. Okay, so growing others and just kind of keeping them going and motivated is what's fulfilling to you. Yes, and just helping them lay out a plan and sticking to it. And getting to the next step. Yeah, definitely, most definitely.

5:27

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Can you also share a challenging or difficult experience and what you've learned from it? Some of the most difficult experiences I would say is in this career in service of the United States of America or just working alongside the Department of Defense would be the time away from home and your family and the sacrifices that you have to make.

5:56

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Those would be some of the hardest things I've experienced and challenging in my career field. And also being in a war zone as well have been some of the most challenging besides being away from home. Of course, and I'm sure that's also challenging on your family. Most definitely. It's been a tasking.

6:24

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

that no one should have to endure. But at the end of the day, it takes strong individuals to be able to do what we do. Of course, and I'm sure your family loves you and appreciates you for it. Now let's move on to the next question. What communication techniques work best with your team? I would like to say that the best would be active listening.

6:54

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

A lot of people are from different backgrounds, different cultures, and everybody learns differently. So I believe the best thing that serves my team is active listening. Because once you can hear, one's intent.

7:14

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

wants and needs you can kind of gauge on how to meet those wants and needs collectively and come up with a plan that serves everyone in the same uh objectivity that we all have for the end state goal uh to be on the same team okay and how do you handle conflicts or misunderstandings among teammates or in the workplace kind of goes back to active listening um

7:44

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Just hear what the situation is, what the problem they're facing. Try to address it as best as possible. Be kind, be a human being, being able to listen because everybody's journey or issue is specific to them and you have to just be able to gauge them and be able to help them solve that problem. Is there anything that you have in place for that?

8:16

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

have set in place or it just depends on the situation

8:20

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

I always keep, it goes back to when I was in the military, always having that open door policy, being able to be reached, whether it's by email, cell phone or in person. I've always kept that door open just to show that, you know, I'm always here for the individual, a teammate, a battle buddy.

8:48

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

So I kind of did the same thing once I got out of the military. And it's been very lucrative to being able not only to know the person you're working with, but to avoid issues and problems in the future. Okay, thank you so much for elaborating. What are some qualities that you look at when you are to hire new employees? Continuity. I would say...

9:19

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Observing their resume, making sure that there is plenty of continuity between timeframes of work being conducted with different companies. I would say there are answers to certain scenario-based questions that kind of gauge what level of...

9:41

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

worker you're getting, how they communicate, how they work as a team. So those are all things that I look forward to when hiring. And you would say that those are also traits that you look at that make a strong teammate? Or can you add to that? Definitely.

10:00

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Some of the strongest traits I've seen, and those are based off of what I've seen in the military as well. Just ensuring that, you know, everybody has that work ethic that you're looking for, that continuity, reliability, and everybody having their own back, everybody else's best in mind. Okay, thank you. Thank you for that information.

10:28

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

Okay, let's move on to challenges. What are some of the biggest challenges managers face today? Maybe some of the traits that candidates are lacking. And what are some common mistakes that employees make the managers notice? Sorry, that's a loaded question. We can break it down. Let's start with some of the biggest challenges that you face as a manager.

10:59

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Telling the customer no. Sometimes it's very challenging based on certain scenarios due to timing, budget, and solutions would be some of the most difficult conversations I have, especially with the leadership in the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense. Okay, thank you.

11:24

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

What are some coming mistakes employees make maybe when they go to say no to a customer or in any other situation? Being able to explain your thought process and your reasoning would be the biggest mistakes that employees take in not going in depth when you're breaking everything down to the customer.

11:54

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Because then they kind of leave the door open for more questions and kind of leave the customer in limbo or not fully understanding. And it leads to, I would say, not resentment, but kind of.

12:16

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

anxiety on their behalf and it's a feeling that nobody wants so that's the common being able to thoroughly explain things in depth and actually breaking it down to where they leave the the meeting understanding your point of view okay okay yeah that's definitely that's definitely an important one thank you how would you describe your little your leadership style

12:48

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

My leadership style is simple. I won't ask you to do anything that I wouldn't do myself. I like to get my hands dirty. I like to be hands-on as well.

13:05

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

You know, from the lowest man on the totem pole all the way to myself. I like to engage with some of my coworkers because they're educated and smart as well. And you can always learn something from someone else. So I've always gone in the mindset to where going every day, seeking knowledge from basically one of your subordinates or your peers alike. So you can learn something from someone at all times.

13:32

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

So you would say simple, open-minded, and straight to the point in a way? Pretty much. Okay. Thank you. What personality traits make someone a successful manager, such as yourself, as I see today? Reliability, hard work, communication. Those are the key essential characteristics that will make you successful. Thank you. In my opinion.

14:04

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

Thank you for that. Okay. How do you go about handling objections or disagreements among employees or even leadership? Just having a debate, a conversation, hearing each side.

14:29

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

You know, something might not be explained properly, which throws another individual off or one side off. But just having that dialogue, that open dialogue, being able to communicate and express their wants and needs or their views. And kind of take all that information and then kind of gauge it and come up with a solution that everybody's happy with. Okay, so you would say open communication. Oh, definitely. Perfect. Thank you.

14:58

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

What negotiation strategies have worked best for you? Maybe with employees or even a customer. Negotiate from a place of power. Know what you're talking about. Ensure that you're confident in your tone and the way you express yourself.

15:26

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

And nine times out of ten, that puts you at an advantage when it comes to negotiations. And you can kind of break, you know, the other side down to get everything you want and come out there with the win in negotiation tactics. Okay, so you would say come from a place of knowledge and power, correct? Yeah, definitely. Okay, thank you.

15:55

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

And how do you build and maintain strong working relationship with others? What are some of your secret strategies that you may have?

16:07

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Being a social butterfly. I would say networking, getting to know people as an individual, asking about their family, asking how their day's been. Just simple little engagements like that can go a long way in building your network and getting along with individuals.

16:29

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

Again, you can learn from or just networking for your next job or promotion or just kind of the cohesiveness in whatever field you're in as well. Okay. So be sociable and personable. Yeah, definitely. Okay. Thank you so much for that. And let's see. What advice would you give students who want to become managers in the future?

16:59

S… Speaker 1 (video interview-compressed)

I would say do a self-reflection on who you truly are. What are some of your good character traits? Know what you have to offer. Be personable. Be able to listen. And be ready to mentor people. Because if you're not willing to do that, then in my opinion, you shouldn't be a manager in a leadership position.

17:29

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

Okay, thank you so much. Is there anything else you would like to add today before we end? Not at this moment. But other than that, thank you for having me. And it's been a pleasure. Okay, well, thank you so much, Mr. Cortez, for sharing your valuable insight and experiences with me today.

17:50

S… Speaker 2 (video interview-compressed)

I truly appreciate your time and acknowledge everything you shared with me today. This has been very helpful and inspiring. Thank you again. Thank you for your time. Again, have a great day.

video interview-compressed

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