More and more open project manager (PM) positions. It feels like everyone has realized that they need PMs to run their projects more efficiently, which is great. I’m very excited about this, and I can’t wait to see more and more PMs working with cross-functional teams. I know this territory still confuses some people. They don’t know what the role of a project manager actually does, and it’s important to understand these differences to leverage your skills and experience during the interview process. This exercise will definitely help you get on your feet during the interview.
It doesn’t matter if the interview is in person, on a screen or over the phone, you really need to be prepared since the beginning of the hiring process. It is important to understand the hiring process starting with stages and milestones. It’s easier to use the interview process if you have a good understanding of the hiring process. I don’t believe in absolute right and wrong, and I believe that depending on the situation, your level of experience and your project priority, you can take a different approach.
Last but not least, sometimes it depends more on whether you fit in. However, I believe that even without formal project management experience, you can demonstrate your experience and ambition excellently. For example, I really want to know what the candidate is studying, what they are reading and what kind of project management she has done in her current job. In addition, individual projects can be really fun and a great opportunity to show off your abilities, experience, and ideas.
Share the interview via phone/screen
Typically, for the first interview, you will have either a telephone or a live/in-person interview. The first phase usually occurs over the phone or screen sharing. They are usually easier because you can open a browser and display your resume and job description. At the same time, keep in mind that there is only one way to present your work by sound, and this can be tricky, especially in places where you are not quiet. When conducting a screen sharing interview, your Internet needs to send out a good signal so that the interview can proceed smoothly without interference.
I really recommend wearing successful clothes, even if the interviewer doesn’t want to see you. Find a quiet place. Check your Internet and surroundings to make sure everything is in place. Pets can really be distracting and noisy, so don’t forget to limit them so they don’t bother you during the interview. My dog snores in his sleep and my cat plays with toys all the time, so they’re definitely not in the room when I go for an interview.
Tip:
- Make sure your Internet connection is good.
- Choose a quiet space.
- No pets allowed.
- No children are allowed in.
- Choose a minimalist environment, or show things that will benefit you in the process, for example, you can show PM books, and wall certifications that show how engaged and smart you are.
- Show that you care and wear appropriate clothes, so no pajamas will suit you.
- When you smile, maintain a positive attitude and the interviewer will feel the change.
On-site interview
Keep this in mind that on-site visits are usually made after the first telephone visit, usually during the second or third visit phase and sometimes even during the fourth or fifth visit phase. You can shake hands and establish a visual connection with visitors, so you can definitely take advantage of live visits.
I believe in the power of body language. It’s time to use your body language. There’s no substitute for eye contact, so be strategic about it and use this opportunity to check out your company’s facilities and overall environment.
Tip:
- Show your best self, but be true to yourself.
- Dress professionally and appropriately, of course.
- When you smile, maintain a positive attitude and the interviewer will feel the change.
- Eye contact.
Q&A
I have a list of possible interview questions, so I try to categorize them and present some that I think are very important. I’ll also explain the thinking behind them, and how you can use that in an interview to really make an impact.
Tell me a little about yourself and your background
I know, how many times are we going to hear this question? I don’t know, but I do know that your answer to this question can tell the interviewer a lot about you and even how enthusiastic you are, so let’s prepare a surprising answer that will throw the interviewer off his or her feet. It’s important to show enthusiasm, appreciation and ability for new things. What I admire most is their willingness to learn new things, their enthusiasm and their ability to solve problems.
First, think carefully about what you want to highlight first, and then try to customize the answer based on the job description provided, their expectations, and some skilled skills. For example, guide them through your resume, highlighting your accomplishments, education, and experience, and show them why you’re the best person for the job. Mention what makes you apply for a particular job. Show positivity and enthusiasm. If you don’t have the experience they are looking for, try showing similar prior experience and your level of involvement.
Tip:
- Be positive and active at all times.
- Engage the audience and make eye contact.
- In short, if they need more information, they will ask.
- Be confident and keep calm.
- Put your best foot forward according to their needs.
What are your strengths?
Again, the problem arises. How can we find a balance in showcasing your experience without sounding boastful? First, you need to be sincere, while emphasizing the benefits of the company and its products. Always try to show examples and talk briefly. If clarification is needed, they will ask questions.
Tip:
- Don’t brag
- Stay true to your identity and strengths.
- Tailor your answers to the job description.
What are your weaknesses?
If they ask about your strengths, they may also ask about your weaknesses. Be especially prepared to answer this question. Your answers can tell you a lot about yourself and your aspirations. This may be a good opportunity to show off your talents and how you overcame your weaknesses. Think carefully about what you are going to answer and how your answer relates to the job. If one of your weaknesses is that you can’t swim, that’s fine, being a perfectionist is a very bad example – sorry!
Tip:
- Be true to yourself.
- Always show how you overcame your weaknesses.
- Provide the right amount of detail.
- Finish on a positive note.
How do you stay in top shape?
This is one of my favorite questions. You can use it to show your status and industry knowledge, enthusiasm, and examples in a concise way. The interviewer can learn a lot about you from your answer to this question, so think wisely about what you are going to answer. We are living in a time of rapid change, and it is important to know how enthusiastic the candidates I am interviewing are and how important their channels are for finding information. It also demonstrates your ambitions and relationships with relevant information and people. After all, they say we are the people around us, right?
Tip:
- Show your desire.
- Mention the example.
- Shows how to surround yourself with great talent and resources.
How do you ensure that you and your team stay focused on milestones and deadlines?
The interviewer basically wants to know how you can keep the team focused on the right things so that you can deliver on time. What’s your style? How do you fit in? Try to explain this by showing an example. The most important thing is to show how prepared you are and how you react when things go in a different direction. Last but not least, show how you are organized and what tricks you use to make sure everything is in place.
Tip:
- This is the time to shine and show off your preparations.
- Mention the example.
- Show your secret tips and lessons learned.
- Prove that you have priority.
- Don’t forget to talk about your organizational skills.
- Talk about how you collaborate.
Can you talk about your experience in process improvement?
I believe that project managers should always be looking for process improvement. I love doing this, and I believe there are always new ways to optimize. With this question, they want to know how much you know about new technologies, tools, and frameworks/methods. Even if you are a junior PM, this shows how much initiative you have. Again, don’t be shy about providing examples. Sometimes the most important effects are small changes. For example, dude, if you implemented daily stand-up meetings and reduced the total number of meetings by 10%, great, you should be proud of that!
Tip:
- Explain your process and display examples.
- Be proud of who you are.
- Always show the number and its impact.
How about a project failure? Have you experienced it?
I know another problem. This is difficult, but you need to keep in mind that if you are advanced enough, you may still encounter many failures. This reminds me of a great book called The Lean Startup. After proven learning and failure, author Eric Ries has created an amazing framework and book. Instead of feeling bad, try to be true to yourself and explain what happened, what was learned and how to prevent it from happening again. This is a great opportunity to show off your problem-solving skills as well as your ability to innovate. Don’t forget that a PM is simply a problem solver. Answer the question in a positive manner and as a team player.
Tip:
- Be true to yourself.
- Show initiative.
- Think strategically about what you want to highlight.
- Show your experience.
- Provide the right amount of detail.
- Demonstrates how to prevent failure.
What tools and resources are you currently using or have you used with your team in the past?
This problem sounds tricky, but it’s not. When I asked this question, I really wanted to know about your experience with different software and tools. I know this is tricky, because as a project manager, you don’t always get to choose the tools you and your team will use, especially if your company is a multinational. They’ll also be interested to know how much you value certain tools and how creative you are. There are a hundred different PM tools on the market today, such as the popular TITA project management software, and it’s always nice to know all of them and their benefits. Of course, it’s impossible to know all the tools and test them all, but you can show interest and keep learning.
Tip:
- Always check for new tools.
- Show your interest.
- Show your knowledge of the technology (always helpful).
- Be open-minded.
- Don’t be attached to certain tools and software.
TITA project management software
Behavioral problems
Behavioral problems are basically related to your past experience and work. They want to know more about you and your style. The interviewer wants to know if you have the skills needed for the job and if you are healthy. These types of questions can help the interviewer assess how you handle the job situation. Read the following questions and try to formulate an answer.
- How do you stay motivated?
- Have you ever made an unpopular decision? Tell me more about it.
- How do you deal with repetitive work?
- Do you work independently or as a team? What kind of working environment do you like best?
- How do you go beyond your responsibilities to solve a problem?
- Discuss important written documents that need to be completed.
- How do you motivate your team?
- Talk about when you anticipate potential problems and develop preventive measures.
- Describe a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things their way.
- How do you handle stressful situations? Discuss techniques you can use to reduce stress and help your team.
Questions to ask the interviewer
Do you have any questions to ask me? Do you have any other questions? I know that sometimes it’s hard to ask smart questions, especially when you’re nervous or the meeting has been so helpful that everything has been cleared up. So you need to be prepared and ask some other questions in case you run out of ideas and want to express interest in the company and the job. You can ask the following questions:
- What do you enjoy most about working at [company name]?
- What is the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 30 days?
- How is success measured and defined?
- Should I be coached or become a mentor?
- What PM software do you use?
Don’t forget:
- Send a thank-you note after the interview.
- If you don’t get a response after the deadline they mentioned, don’t forget to follow up to see if they need any additional information.
I hope this blog has been helpful and that you find your dream PM job and get started on some awesome projects as soon as possible! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to contact me.
Free Guide: How to successfully implement project management in your company. Visit the Tita website and book an appointment with a project management product consultant for solutions: scenario scenarios, business cases, best practices, and a guide to beware.