PM Network - August 2014

Q

PRACTICE RUN

profession, there’s another technique that can specifically help project practitioners showcase their project experience. It’s called (IM)PACT, which stands for I manage: project challenges, actions, communication and transformation.

Right off, the “I” serves as a reminder that the interviewer is interested in you: What did you manage? Rather than a situation or task, address a particular challenge faced on a project. This focuses the discussion on the project environment rather than just any work situation.

Once the challenge is presented and the scene set, talk about the actions you took to overcome the challenge. Then, the communication: As a project practitioner, you work and communicate with many people—your teams, stakeholders, sponsors and clients. This is also a great time to show off the leadership skills you use as a project practitioner. These skills, such as influencing and persuading, are part and parcel of what you do yet are often neglected in an interview.

Lastly, the transformation: This is the change that came about because of the actions you took and the way you managed projects. Talking just about the results of your actions doesn’t fully convey the impact you potentially have as a project manager—not only on the project and team, but also on the wider business. During this part of your interview, you can detail how your actions had a positive effect on benefits delivered or the organization’s bottom line.

To prepare for your project management interview, consider the impact you could have on the interviewer. Think about how to best describe your experiences so that he or she sits up and takes notice.

Q: I’m moving to another country
later in the year, and I’m concerned
about how to find a new job quickly.
Any advice?

A: Get started now. Research your new market before the big move. You can get a sense of the types of positions available and the knowledge and

Q: I have an interview coming up. How
can I get prepared?

A: Count on the interviewer using the phrase, “Tell me about a time when…” Interviewers love to use this classic setup because it allows them to concentrate on core competencies the position needs—and because the same request can be made of any project practitioner, regardless of where or how long he or she has worked.

Examples include “Tell me about a time when
you had to manage a difficult team member.” “Tell
me about a time when you managed conflicting
resource demands on a project.”
An effective way to prepare for these interview
moments is to practice the STAR technique—
situation, task, action and result. In the stressful
environment of an interview, this tool provides a
helpful, reliable structure.

First, explain the situation—the context and background. Then describe the task you needed to achieve. Once you have briefly set the scene, discuss the actions you directly took that demonstrated your ability to deal with the situation or task.

Take note, project practitioners: It is important that you concentrate on your own actions. Many project managers fail to do this in interviews because they are so used to working in a team environment. It is your direct actions—not the team’s—that the interviewer wants to hear about.