To hone your story-telling skills, I recommend following four main steps. First, review your experiences and see which ones are most applicable to the position e.g. experiences involving leading or managing a team, resolving conflicte, solving difficult challenges e.t.c. Secondly, structure your stories using the STAR( Situation, Task, Actions and Results) format. For the actions, make sure to highlight the various options you considered and why you chose your course of action and also include some measurable results that arose as a result of your actions. Third, practise your stories until you are comfortable with the delivery- you can practise by yourself and also with career coaches and friends so they can give you feedback on the stories. Finally, ensure to thoroughly research the company and the role so you can clearly articulate why you are interested in the company and the position and how your skillsets and experience will add value in the role.
Know and explain your “why”. Great project management requires a visionary mindset, so being able to effectively communicate your “why” with clarity and passion will help you stand out. Be able to explain what has motivated you to pursue the project management career path and what your short and long term career goals are. Prospective employers also want to know why you have chosen to pursue them specifically among all the choices of companies out there.
Spend time familiarizing yourself with key worlds and tricky phrases associated with common project management professional certifications. Most organizations are going to have their own internal project management terminology but interviewers holding common PM certifications will recognize these key terms and tricky phrases. Just make sure to also studying what the words and phrases mean and when they apply, in case they want to dig deeper. Doing so will lend an air of credibility to you and show that you have an understanding of core PM theory and practices.
Project management heavily relies on strong communication, stakeholder management and the ability to drive change. The best way for an interviewer to understand your skills in these areas are through situational questions. Think of a time in your previous experience where you handled varying opinions, pushback, or unresponsiveness and how you persevered. Be able to provide examples of how you have adapted work to meet the needs of varying stakeholders or how you met a deadline when faced with a challenge. Of course, you will not be able to foresee every possible situational question, so think of 2 or 3 stories that could apply to a variety of questions. Make sure they are specific, detailed, and dynamic stories that emphasize your strengths and what makes you unique. The interviewer will remember not what you say but how you make them feel, so paint them a picture!
"Project Management" is a very broad term. Make sure you clarify what projects YOU will be doing through your time, so you avoid stepping on others toes. Expect having to do things that are not specific to your scope of work at times. Set your boundaries. Really clarify with the interviewer your goals, desired projects, and the project types you will be executing. Marketing & Music Business December 2021
It's crucial to research the business and its project management strategy. Look at LinkedIn, the company website, and other internet resources. Review the fundamentals of project management, including communication, planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management. Your expertise in these subjects may be tested during the interview, therefore it's critical to be well-versed in them. Make a list of inquiries you want to make of the interviewer regarding the company's project management philosophy, the team you are going to be collaborating with, and any particular projects you might be in charge of.
The one thing I would advise to those joining the workforce is to be flexible. During the interview process, you may think you have the perfect answer to the question, “What are your weaknesses?” and you may be right. However, if you say your weakness is that you are too hard on yourself, and the interviewer reveals that they are looking for someone who is lax in their work, you may be out of luck. In addition, as technology and business practices change, you must be flexible enough to adapt. When you have an answer ready for the question, “What about your work style do you think will be the most challenging for this position,” you must be able to answer that you are willing to learn and grow.