- Details of your decision-making process
- Major decisions you facilitated
- The bottom-line impact of those decisions
- The positive effects of your work on timelines, schedules and customer experience
Methodology Is Critical
While technical know-how is important, both Simm and Silver agreed that methodology has primacy, since it deals directly with the execution of the project. Someone who can demonstrate skills in risk identification, mediation planning and issue management is a top-tier candidate. “We're obviously looking to hear both their experience in challenging situations, especially where they’ve overcome challenges,” Silver said. A candidate using his or her communication and planning skills to turn around an at-risk project is the sort of narrative that would play exceptionally well in a job interview, especially if the end result was a satisfied client. But that doesn’t mean a tech pro should downplay the contributions of the larger team: Good managers “recognize the importance of a team effort in achieving the desired results,” Simm said. Part of your story should focus on your ability to identify team members’ individual strengths and how you delegated accordingly.Soft Skills
When it comes to “hard” skills such as tech knowledge, most companies are willing to train and teach a candidate. “But it’s the intangibles that are the things you can't always teach,” Silver said. “A person either has it or doesn’t have it.” Silver (and many others) not only look at a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly, but also pay attention to detail, organize well, and manage time efficiently. Having nerves of steel is another key aptitude: Managers often deal with heavy workloads and cover several projects at a time, juggling opposing priorities while staying on top of the action. In light of that, candidates should “explain how they were able to remain calm under pressure and discuss how they adjusted their strategy using existing resources to tackle those challenges,” Simm said.For the Win
So what makes a PM truly successful? “It’s really their ability to anticipate, be proactive and understand why the client is engaging them in the first place,” Silver said.Upload Your ResumeEmployers want candidates like you. Upload your resume. Show them you're awesome.