PM Network

Used to be, the job interview was something you prepared for in a certain way. Perhaps you memorized some responses to questions that always came up, such as “What’s your greatest weakness?” Or “What project were you most proud of?”

Organizations have gotten wise to this type of preparation and are inventing new ways to evaluate job candidates that really separate the finalists from everyone else.

The April edition of PM Network^® provides a guide to new interview formats you might currently encounter in your career journey. These include digital assessments, often done as online surveys. The object of the survey is to evaluate key applicant skills such as grit, curiosity, polish, rigor and initiative. This technique is called predictive hiring, and satisfies the corporate urge for quantitative data in the hiring process.

Another new interview technique, auditions, is the project management version of what happens in the performance arts. Candidates are asked to perform some sort of project task such as mapping a work breakdown structure or managing a test project. This gives the interviewer a more thorough look at how the candidate might perform.

Virtual Reality simulations are becoming part of the hiring process. Recruiters are bringing headsets to job fairs as a new way to find talent by immersively showing what the job is all about. VR is also used in the interviewing process to assess candidates’ styles in, for example, teamwork and leadership style.

Finally, some companies are loosening up candidates by holding conversations in less formal venues, such as coffee shops or restaurants. The goal is to gain a truer sense of the candidate’s engagement.

For each of these selection techniques, PM Network provides “prep talk,” advice on what to do and what not to do in these new interview styles.

Have you had a unique job interview experience? Please share your insights in the comments below.

Back in the old days when people rarely switched jobs, references were not particularly a priority for career management. Before you left a company, you might have asked a coworker, mentor or even your boss to write a reference—or else, this might have been left for the potential new company to do, with contact information you provided.

Well, it’s not the old days any more. A reference strategy must be part of your career management planning. And this month, you can turn to PM Network^® for advice on how to make references work for you.

First thing you need to know is that you don’t need to have a new opportunity in mind to ask for a reference. If you have references in your pocket ahead of time, so to speak, that makes it easier when that new opportunity comes along.

When should you ask for a reference? Right after closing a successful project is an ideal time, the article says. This way, your teammates’ memory of working with you is fresh. And as you manage the project, keep in mind that providing extraordinary service to stakeholders will pay off in great recommendations later.

Whom should you ask? Experts say diversity is paramount. Get colleagues, sponsors, bosses and peers to “write you up.” If you already know what opportunity you are seeking, try to match the desired recommendations with the needs of the new job, such as skills in a particular tool or strategy expertise.

How do you ask? In person is always best, but if that can’t happen, a phone call allows for full explanation of what is needed. Once the potential reference agrees to help, urge him or her to provide specific project details, positive anecdotes and relevant metrics.

Where do you put recommendations? Written ones are always great, but public references on LinkedIn will help you show up on recruiters’ searches.

The article also covers what to do if your reference wants to help but does not have the time. Either you or the reference might suggest writing your own recommendation to be endorsed upon completion. As long as you maintain objectivity, this should work. Another possible way around the time conundrum is to provide your reference bullet points to expand upon.

Finally, one sure way to meet the need of having a recommendation written for you in the future is to write recommendations for others. Offering it before being asked and extending your reference role beyond the usual places (such as people you interact with in volunteer work) are sure ways to strengthen relationships. And good relationships mean good recommendations in the future.

We’re here to support your career journey, so be sure to read PM Network every month for practical and helpful information.

So you want to climb the career ladder. You’re doing well in your job but you envision yourself growing, doing more, gaining skills and managing larger teams and initiatives.

A good boss can help you on your career path. He or she will mentor you, promote you with company executives and let you know about great opportunities.

Unfortunately, every boss is not a good boss. As a matter of fact, your boss could be the biggest obstacle to your ladder-climbing ambitions.

An article in this month’s PM Network^® looks at several different boss behaviors that could derail your career journey. Fortunately, there are ways around these obstructionist managers, and this article details what you can do.

For the boss who tends to steal credit for project wins and accomplishments, the article recommends promoting dialogue and forging direct relationships with key internal stakeholders. This is especially important right after wrapping up a successful project.

If your boss is the type that is too busy to map out a skills development plan or talk about career goals, you can stretch your role and its responsibilities in order to grow on the job. Opportunities may come up that will enable you to show what you can do beyond your ordinary duties.

For organizations with very loose reporting structures for project professionals (i.e., you don’t really have a boss), the article suggests relying on project peers and company mentors to give you the advice and props that you need to forge ahead on your career path. More senior project managers may be able to help you out.

And in case these ideas don’t help you move forward, the article includes a sidebar that explains when it might be time to find a new employer.

If you are looking for career advice, be sure to check out PM Network every month. PMI members have been turning to it for valuable information and perspectives for over 30 years.