Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
Mar 21, 2017 10:16 AM
Replying to Aaron Porter
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I wouldn't include a failure in my resume, but I would be prepared to talk about it during the interview; the question will most likely come up.
I agree with Aaron. How you deal with a project failure and what you learn from it are interesting conversations, but you'll never have those conversations if your résumé fails to get you an interview. Your space is so limited, you need to focus on your achievements, not your difficulties. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Aaron & Wade made very good points - I agree. Saving Changes...
Lisa KomidarService Delivery Manager - Sr. Engagement Manager| Optimum Healthcare ITKane, Pa, United States
To follow up on this, how far back do you list previous employment? I don't think that my staff assistant job from pre-2000 is really relevant unless I want to demonstrate my hard work and dedication to grow within the University. All of my jobs since 1991 have been at the University. Saving Changes...
Focus on the requirements being asked of the Project Manager. Saving Changes...
Tara BachmanDeputy Administrator| Public Service Commission of WisconsinMadison, Wi, United States
Mar 21, 2017 10:36 AM
Replying to Keith Emery
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You'll be asked in an interview about projects that didn't go to plan, so no need to focus on them in the resume. The most important thing is to be truthful. Embellishments are an invitation to investigate, so make sure everything you include will be corroborated by your supervisors and coworkers.
There is nothing wrong with focusing on your most successful projects, but be sure to give credit where it is due. If you worked with a great team of developers or subcontractors, make sure that is communicated.
When you are asked about projects that were challenging, make sure not to come across as shifting responsibility to anyone but yourself. If you are the PM, the buck stops with you.
As an interviewer, when we ask about a project that failed or didn't go as planned the worst answer we hear is, "I've never been on a failed project," or "I'm lucky enough to have never been on a failed project." That tells me that you haven't managed complex, large projects. It also tells me that you likely don't understand the definition of "failed." Just because a project produced deliverables, does not mean it was a successful project from the organization or PMO perspective.
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1 reply by anonymous
Mar 22, 2017 4:00 AM
anonymous
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I have recently went through a round of comprehensive interviews for a Senior PM role and was actually asked about the projects I felt most proud about, and why. I also got several questions about stakeholder and team management. And even a thorough psychological interview to ensure that I had the right personality to successfully develop the PM role.
In my experience, the interviewer is more interested in learning how the PM overcomes difficulties and challenges rather than going into detail about why a particular project "failed".
A specific experience that the recruiters asked to add and I don't have any idea. Ethical behavior before updating my resume with systems or program code that I've never seen before. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Cookie cutter task oriented responsibilites without identifying accomplishments and results.
A better conversation to have, is taking the flip side of the coin, looking at what is needed to have a strong, impactful resume. Saving Changes...
Ed Tsyitee JrConsultant | Consultant Tucson, Az, United States
Well unfortunately, my resume does not reflect any project management work. I'm trying to change careers and spinning retail work into a project is a bit of a stretch. I've volunteered, and even then there weren't any projects to do there.
I do know that you should have a results based resume when describing your past work, and doing that will allow you even to list a failed project. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Mar 21, 2017 4:30 PM
Replying to Ed Tsyitee Jr
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Well unfortunately, my resume does not reflect any project management work. I'm trying to change careers and spinning retail work into a project is a bit of a stretch. I've volunteered, and even then there weren't any projects to do there.
I do know that you should have a results based resume when describing your past work, and doing that will allow you even to list a failed project.
Ed - you have a point... Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Mar 21, 2017 4:12 PM
Replying to Drew Craig
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Cookie cutter task oriented responsibilites without identifying accomplishments and results.
A better conversation to have, is taking the flip side of the coin, looking at what is needed to have a strong, impactful resume.
Andrew - So, what's your comment in what to include to make it a powerful resume?
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1 reply by Drew Craig
Mar 22, 2017 6:14 AM
Drew Craig
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George, I started to write that, then realized the question was what not to include. : )
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