Gerald BostonSenior Project Manager| CelerityNorth Potomac, Md, United States
Hello,
I am entering the second round of an interview for a PM job at a state institution. They are estimating a 90 minute interview with the hiring manager, though I expect there to be additional persons in the room. I have not done an interview of this type in the past, has anyone had experience with this?
Their directions are as follows:
"This interview will be approximately 90 minutes in length and will include a scenario-based exercise. The scenario will be sent to you 48 hours prior to your scheduled interview time
Presentation/Scenario Instructions:
You may bring any materials you feel are appropriate for an effective kick-off meeting.
Please plan to conduct a 15–20-minute presentation followed by time for questions from the hiring manager.
Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
A practical suggestion: use ChatGPT as part of your preparation. Ask it to challenge you with interview questions across multiple scenarios, simulate full sessions, help structure your kick-off presentation, and test your reasoning with real project-management situations. It’s a fast, structured and confidence-building way to practice exactly what these interviews assess, and significantly increase your chances of performing well and being selected.
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1 reply by Gerald Boston
Dec 05, 2025 3:45 PM
Gerald Boston
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thank you Luis, I have started using CGPT for the deck, and using it for interview prep will definitely be put to use
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
An effective kick-off meeting not only establishes the scope and objectives of the project, but also builds trust and alignment among participants. My approach will be to ensure clarity in roles, expectations, and next steps, creating a collaborative space where each party feels heard and committed to the success of the project.
🔑 Practical tips for your interview/presentation: • Clear structure (15–20 min): • Introduction (2–3 min): who you are, purpose of the kick-off. • Project context (5 min): objectives, scope, stakeholders. • Initial plan (5–7 min): timeline, roles, risks, communication. • Closing (2–3 min): next steps and how to ensure value. • Useful materials: • A visual agenda for the kick-off. • A simple stakeholder map or RACI chart. • An initial schedule or roadmap. • A final slide with “success = value delivered + trust generated.” • Attitude during the session: • Facilitate as if it were a real kick-off: encourage participation, ask questions, demonstrate active listening. • Maintain a balance between professionalism and approachability: they want to see how you lead and connect. • Prepare for Q&A: think about risks, communication with authorities, and how to handle resistance.
If you want, I can help you put together a visual outline of slides.
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1 reply by Gerald Boston
Dec 05, 2025 3:49 PM
Gerald Boston
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Hi Fabian This is great, I need to confirm with the entity if I'll have access to audio visual, making the assumption I will, but I love your structured agenda, I am working on similar, I'd love any input. I've done this before as part of a job, but the 48 hour window to create based on their scenario is a twist, assuming they want to see the direction I take and how I deal with ambiguity and tight deadlines., I will take you up on the visual outline. Thank you,
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Gerald BostonSenior Project Manager| CelerityNorth Potomac, Md, United States
Dec 05, 2025 12:18 PM
Replying to Luis Branco
...
A practical suggestion: use ChatGPT as part of your preparation. Ask it to challenge you with interview questions across multiple scenarios, simulate full sessions, help structure your kick-off presentation, and test your reasoning with real project-management situations. It’s a fast, structured and confidence-building way to practice exactly what these interviews assess, and significantly increase your chances of performing well and being selected.
thank you Luis, I have started using CGPT for the deck, and using it for interview prep will definitely be put to use Saving Changes...
Gerald BostonSenior Project Manager| CelerityNorth Potomac, Md, United States
Dec 05, 2025 2:42 PM
Replying to Fabian Crosa
...
An effective kick-off meeting not only establishes the scope and objectives of the project, but also builds trust and alignment among participants. My approach will be to ensure clarity in roles, expectations, and next steps, creating a collaborative space where each party feels heard and committed to the success of the project.
🔑 Practical tips for your interview/presentation: • Clear structure (15–20 min): • Introduction (2–3 min): who you are, purpose of the kick-off. • Project context (5 min): objectives, scope, stakeholders. • Initial plan (5–7 min): timeline, roles, risks, communication. • Closing (2–3 min): next steps and how to ensure value. • Useful materials: • A visual agenda for the kick-off. • A simple stakeholder map or RACI chart. • An initial schedule or roadmap. • A final slide with “success = value delivered + trust generated.” • Attitude during the session: • Facilitate as if it were a real kick-off: encourage participation, ask questions, demonstrate active listening. • Maintain a balance between professionalism and approachability: they want to see how you lead and connect. • Prepare for Q&A: think about risks, communication with authorities, and how to handle resistance.
If you want, I can help you put together a visual outline of slides.
Hi Fabian This is great, I need to confirm with the entity if I'll have access to audio visual, making the assumption I will, but I love your structured agenda, I am working on similar, I'd love any input. I've done this before as part of a job, but the 48 hour window to create based on their scenario is a twist, assuming they want to see the direction I take and how I deal with ambiguity and tight deadlines., I will take you up on the visual outline. Thank you, Saving Changes...
I did a few scenario-based exercises in interviews over my career both on the candidate and the hiring manager side so a few things I'd suggest are:
span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"/spanUnderstand what roles (if any) the interviewers will be playing in the exercise and if that is not clear in the info they send you, request it.
span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"/spanLog ALL assumptions and share those with the interviewers in advance of your presentation. Remember that context counts!
span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"/spanBe pragmatic in the analysis and recommendations you put together
Good luck and remember that such scenario exercises are useful not only for the interviewers but for you as well to get a sense as to the level of organizational PM maturity at the hiring company.
Program Manager| HARPER SRLSanto Domingo / Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
For this kind of interview, think of the scenario as your chance to show how you run a real project kick-off. I’d focus your 15–20-minute presentation on clarity, structure, and leadership: agenda, stakeholders, scope, risks, communication plans, and early alignment steps. Bring simple, visual materials a one-page roadmap, RACI, or risk matrix. The goal instead of fancy slides, is showing how you think, how you facilitate, and how you’d set a project up for success. Saving Changes...
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