i recently completed my masters in international business and i m working for a large firm in customer support. i recently applied for the position of junior PMO analyst within the firm and i have succeeded in the initial application. i have to go through a telephone interview now. to be honest i dont have much idea about PMO. can u plz tell me what questions can i face in the interview and also can u suggest some articles that will give me a basic understanding of PMO. i want to start up a career in PMO. please help me prepare for the interview. Saving Changes...
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Andrew MakarProgram Manager| AMAKAR LLCOakland Township, Mi, United States
You might find the following articles helpful:
1. PMO Forms and Functions The article provides an overview of the PMO functions and common types of PMOs
MS Project Tutorial Learn how to EFFECTIVELY develop a project schedule Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Anon, interesting post and helpful information from Andy. But, I have a much different perspective on preparing for your interview. Don't. You know nothing about a PMO. You have not performed any of the roles typically found in a PMO. Your skills and knowledge obtained from both education and work experience along with your professional desires and integrity is what you bring to the table. That is what you will or will not be hired on. Don't feign knowledge about PMOs or attempt a quick study to impress your interviewer. There is no integrity in that and it rarely works. A good interviewer will be much more impressed by your honesty and integrity (what you say that you know and what you say that you don't know) rather than stretched claims of knowledge and experience. In my years of hiring staff, I have never hired an individual that tried to impress me with false or overly stretched knowledge and credentials. To the contrary, it is the easiest way to not get the job. And, it is so very easy to spot. So, regarding your interview, be true to yourself and act with integrity. Now, regarding your desire to have a career in the PMO and how to prepare for that, that is entirely a different question..! Saving Changes...
Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
Dear Anon
Interesting question and it will be easy to bamboozle you with all kind of facts regardnig tasks, responsibilities etc. However I do agree with Mark yo must be honest with your interviewer and yourself.
My question to you is: Why do you want to make a career in PMO if you have no clue what it is?
If what you know is sufficient to make the decision to have a career in that field for sure it should be sufficient to prepare you for the interview. After all they are looking for a junior analyst and not a seniior one
good luck with the interview and let us know if you got the job
Hans Saving Changes...
Elyse NielsenSenior Project Manager| Ascension Health Information ServicesHaines City, Fl, United States
Hi,
PMO's are different given the project management maturity of the organization and how it was established. My recommendation is a little between Andy's and Mark's. The position is an entry level junior analyst for the PMO. During the interview ask questions regarding the type of work the job entails and about the PMO and its structure. A little reading to understand the basics would be good. However, Mark is absolutely right. Honesty is the best policy.
