Have you ever interviewed candidates for project manager roles in the company that you work for? If yes, focusing on some experiences, what were some of them that instantly made you realise that 'Yup, this is the right person for a project management role'. Of course, this depends on the role too but would love to hear some memorable experiences. Saving Changes...
Yes, I've been in this position multiple times over my career. Things that made me pay more attention to the candidate were:
- A strong emphasis on ongoing learning & professional development
- Keen self-awareness, especially of their weaknesses and what they do to address them
- Breadth as well as depth. I wanted PMs who came from a variety of backgrounds and had a number of lateral skills.
Kiron
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1 reply by Bisharah Saeed
Nov 25, 2024 3:27 AM
Bisharah Saeed
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Thanks for sharing Kiron! Self awareness and taking care of one's own weaknesses shows how much the candidate is willing to improve.
Project Manager| AWR Development (BD) Ltd. Cox's Bazer , Bangladesh
Hi Bisharah Saeed
Yes, I’ve had the opportunity to interview candidates for project manager roles, and a few moments really stood out. One candidate shared a specific example of overcoming a significant project hurdle, demonstrating not just problem-solving skills but also resilience and leadership.
Another impressed me with their ability to articulate a clear vision and strategy for managing cross-functional teams.
Thank you
Golam
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1 reply by Bisharah Saeed
Nov 25, 2024 3:28 AM
Bisharah Saeed
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Sounds amazing, Golam! Examples are the best way to define your paths or achievements and to make people understand in a better way.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Bisharah, that actually happened very recently. Self-Confidence, Ambition, and Ability/Desire to learn fast is what stood up and lead to the "Yup" moment! Saving Changes...
Yes, I've been in this position multiple times over my career. Things that made me pay more attention to the candidate were:
- A strong emphasis on ongoing learning & professional development
- Keen self-awareness, especially of their weaknesses and what they do to address them
- Breadth as well as depth. I wanted PMs who came from a variety of backgrounds and had a number of lateral skills.
Kiron
Thanks for sharing Kiron! Self awareness and taking care of one's own weaknesses shows how much the candidate is willing to improve. Saving Changes...
Yes, I’ve had the opportunity to interview candidates for project manager roles, and a few moments really stood out. One candidate shared a specific example of overcoming a significant project hurdle, demonstrating not just problem-solving skills but also resilience and leadership.
Another impressed me with their ability to articulate a clear vision and strategy for managing cross-functional teams.
Thank you
Golam
Sounds amazing, Golam! Examples are the best way to define your paths or achievements and to make people understand in a better way. Saving Changes...
What stood out to me, was the experience in the area - the PM understood the system and company we were looking to implement. Had real life examples of cases where they had overpromised timelines and knew where this might cause challenges with deliverables.
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1 reply by Bisharah Saeed
Nov 25, 2024 8:20 AM
Bisharah Saeed
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Thanks for sharing Stephanie! Like I said just above, real life examples are probably the best ways in which we can communicate complex theories into something that can be easily understood.
What stood out to me, was the experience in the area - the PM understood the system and company we were looking to implement. Had real life examples of cases where they had overpromised timelines and knew where this might cause challenges with deliverables.
Thanks for sharing Stephanie! Like I said just above, real life examples are probably the best ways in which we can communicate complex theories into something that can be easily understood. Saving Changes...
I gravitate to the one-off projects where we have to tailor or invent the rules as we go. I look for people who are comfortable being uncomfortable because that is where we will spend most of our time while forming and storming before norming.
I'm far more interested in if you can invent a solution to the next problem that arises rather rather than if you can track action items or make dahsboards If you show me that you have a problem solving aptitude, I am far more interested than the administrivia behind how that solution is documented.
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1 reply by Bisharah Saeed
Nov 26, 2024 6:16 AM
Bisharah Saeed
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I completely agree with you Keith because problem solving is something I believe that comes through the experience and mindset. Tracking and making dashboards is something we can learn through the resources available online. But the former takes some special skills which is something that we can convey through examples from our professional experience.
I gravitate to the one-off projects where we have to tailor or invent the rules as we go. I look for people who are comfortable being uncomfortable because that is where we will spend most of our time while forming and storming before norming.
I'm far more interested in if you can invent a solution to the next problem that arises rather rather than if you can track action items or make dahsboards If you show me that you have a problem solving aptitude, I am far more interested than the administrivia behind how that solution is documented.
I completely agree with you Keith because problem solving is something I believe that comes through the experience and mindset. Tracking and making dashboards is something we can learn through the resources available online. But the former takes some special skills which is something that we can convey through examples from our professional experience. Saving Changes...
Yes, I've interviewed candidates for project manager roles.
The right candidate often stands out through their ability to clearly articulate real-world project challenges they've faced and how they resolved them using structured methodologies like PMP or Agile. I look for strong communication skills, confidence in stakeholder management, and adaptability in dynamic situations.
One memorable candidate shared how they turned around a failing project by re-scoping, realigning the team, and communicating transparently with sponsors—showcasing leadership, problem-solving, and a results-driven mindset. Such practical, impactful examples instantly signal readiness for a PM role.
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