How great would it be if you could meet your potential boss before sending in your resume? Now’s your chance to do lunch, hypothetically speaking, with Adam Ferguson, senior VP of client engagement at SWC Technology Partners.
SWC provides IT consulting services to midsize companies throughout the Midwest. Ferguson recently took some time to talk with us about his professional influences, go-to interview question and favorite fast food joint.
Where should we eat?
J. Alexander’s, a contemporary American restaurant. But I have a secret weakness for sliders from White Castle. So if you twist my arm, I’d go there too.
Who is your professional role model?
Bill Gates. What’s most amazing to me is where he began. He took chances and became one of the key pioneers responsible for building the technology industry. And after that, he used his success to lead massive philanthropic initiatives across the world. He has his priorities straight, which I take to heart.
Can you point to a business book that’s been influential?
Let’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play, by Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig. We have adopted the key principles of this book at SWC. The main points revolve around putting clients’ success first—actually finding solutions to their complex and specific business problems with technology. We believe that if they succeed, then we succeed.
Describe your leadership style in three words.
Accessible. Flexible. Empowering. I believe everyone learns and communicates differently. A good leader should try to adapt to different personalities and styles. It’s my job to hire the best talent, give them the tools they need to be successful and then get out of their way.
What do you look for in a resume?
Clarity. Being able to clearly describe your experience and the impact you had is a skill that not everyone has. Often less is more. Being able to quickly get to the heart of the issue says a lot about how someone will perform in the future.
What’s one question you tend to ask job candidates?
What are you most proud of and why?
What kind of answer would impress you?
It’s not about a specific “right” answer, but it’s my way of seeing how they personally define success and achievement. I want to learn more about the real human being I’m interviewing.
Want to work with Ferguson? Read more about SWC Technology Partners.
