Interviews today for Software Project Managers OR IT Managers are definitely different than the interviews which happened 10 years back. Although interviews are a way to sell yourself, today's interviews do not just see how you present yourself but would like to see how you analyze, assess given a specific technology issue and see how you propose and sell new ideas to your Customers OR Partners. With the changing economy and technology trends, the standards are much higher for Software OR IT Project Managers. Companies would like to see how you use the existing technology to your advantage in terms of enhancing your productivity on a day today life.
TRADITIONAL INTERVIEWS
Back in late 1990s, a candidate was really inquired about the role he played in every project and also how did he drove the project to a successful completion. Candidate was asked about every project he worked on OR at least one favorite project. As most of the candidates were involved in their projects for a long time, the candidate was very successful in representing his expertise on the projects, his approach and methodology.
Specific technical queries were asked for the Candidate to know his expertise around a specific technology OR business domain. Some interviewers even asked to write algorithms from IT managers to find out whether he was hands-on. This would allow the interviewer to see how the candidate thinks and also presents his problem solving approach.
Here were some standard queries in traditional interviews.
1. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
2. What did you like about your last job? What didnt you like about your last job?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years? ten years ??
4. Which technology OR domain did you work on ?? How do you plan to learn the new technology OR domain ??
5. In a scale of 1 to 10 ( 10 being the ideal score ), how much do you rate yourself on a certain area ?? Why ??
Interviewers would see the confidence level of that candidate as well as the attitude of the candidate as he presents a solution to a problem including the unexpected ones. The candidate was sent to see representatives from Development, Quality Assurance, Product Marketing and other key groups. All the representatives would then sit and decide on the candidate's performance. Referrals were also checked to verify how the candidate has been in his previous Companies.
THE NEW GEN-Y INTERVIEWS
The Interviewers today are increasingly following a new approach to interviews. This is called the Gen Y Style of Interview . Interviewers today belong to MySpace generation and are very efficient in using all kinds of gadgets and devices to be very productive in their day today activities. Interviewers today are very respectful of candidate's freedom of thoughts and are instant communicators. Apart from technical competence, they expect a candidate to be humorous and enthusiastic.
Here is what to expect from the current generation of Interviewers:
1. Do not expect the interviewer to ask about your Resume at all....
2. Today's Interviewers expect the IT Managers to have technical as well as business perspective of the problem.
The candidate has to be able to assess on current technology trends and see what the next gen technology looks like. Interviewers want to really see your passion for the technology you are working on. They would like to verify how would the next generation technology save money for all their Customers ?? OR directly impact the revenues for your Company. How would it improve the quality of your life OR people around you.
3. Interviewers want to see how you communicate your ideas and thoughts with wit and humour. Content of your ideas are as important as your Style.
4. Interviewers would like to hear and see real examples of your team building activities. They want to see how many people are following you and your blogs. They want to see whether you have exercised your leadership skills by organizing any major events, whether it is a personal OR professional related.
Here are some real examples, I can quote based on my recent experience. Recently I attended a Google interview for the position of 'Product Manager'. Here were some sample queries posed to me.
1. Where does Google's main revenue comes from ?? Who are Google's main competitors ??
2. What Google service do you use and how would you improve it?
3. Where do you see Google in the mobile space with Android
4. If you were heading a Google's product ( you name it), what questions would keep you awake at night ??
These queries demonstrate how Google is trying to identify a candidate's Business and Analytical skills as a Product OR Program Manager. They want to see how much are you interesting in using Google's products and services. Google is less interested in your previous projects. Google is rather interested to assess how are you applying your current expertise to analyze a specific business situation OR market condition ?? How does an IT Manager OR project takes a decision in a specific circumstance ?? what are the attributes he focuses on to make those decisions.
I also applied for another Leadership Opening in Project Management at a Social Networking Company. This reputed Company sent me a quick set of pre-interview queries to be answered before the first technical interview. Here are some sample queries.
1. Describe a website that you think doesn't work well, why don't you like it, how would you improve it.
2. How can you speed up the user's internet experience?
I was asked the following queries in another interview. This interview was for a Mobile Company. This Company was trying to assess my interest and passion in any specific technology and what am I doing to improve this Technology.
1. What technology excites you? How would you improve it? How would you measure the success of the technology?
2. Which Desktop OS OR Mobile platform do you use to develop a new application ?? Why ??
3. How do you bring about Synergies between all the groups at your Company ?? What role do you play to achieve a better synergy ??
Yea you may say.. So what the heck ?? How is it different now ?? Can you summarize it ??
Here are some key differences. The interviews are not the same anymore. Here are some of the expectations from the potential Software Project Managers.
1. PASSION FOR A SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY IS PRACTICED BY THE CANDIDATE NOT JUST PREACHED ??
Candidate's passion in any Technology is seen by your actual knowledge of that specific technology. How may patents did you file OR attempt to file on this specific technology ?? How many White Papers did you publish on this specific technology ?? Can they see your interest in Technology through actual work not through your discussions. The more footprint they find about you through any social networking sites OR blogs will confirm
Generate a trail of your activites using Social Networks - White Papers, Blogs, Presentations, Videos, News Paper Articles, Books etc.
2. HOW DO YOU INFLUENCE PEOPLE AROUND YOU ?? HOW DO YOU INFLUENCE GROUPS ??
Interviewers would like to find out how many people are really following you ?? This can be done through inquiry OR using the social networking sites. How many people have subscribed your blogs OR presentations ??
What is your approach to win new customers. Customers could be internal OR external. What is your Philosophy OR Management style ?? Why would it win new customers ??
Did you influence people at a personal level by leading a non-profit Organization ?? How many websites did you conceptualize or build ??
3. COMPANIES WANT TO GIVE YOU CASE STUDIES UNRELATED TO YOUR DOMAIN TO UNDERSTAND YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS AND BUSINESS SKILLS ??
By giving case studies and asking queries relevant to this case study, Interviewers are trying to see how you think and analyze a technical and a non-technical problem. A candidate is necessarily given appropriate amount of time to study and answer related queries.
4. COMPANY WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT RESTRUCTURING AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT
In the changing world, it is important for an IT Project Manager to be aware of change coming around you and how do you adopt to the changing situation.
For a candidate, it is certainly a diligent idea to prepare for both traditional as well as the next gen interviews. Some Interviewers follow a middle path between the traditional and new style of interviews.
SUMMARY :
Preparing for a 'Software Project Manager' OR 'IT Manager' interview is really a long process. Choose the technology you are passionate about. Your passion on a specific technology domain OR area should be seen in your enthusiasm to evangelize that technology with your colleagues and in general 'Society'. It should start with your ability to influence people. Leadership qualities do not accumulate as you gain number of years of experience in a certain field. You will have to take opportunities to lead teams OR groups at a personal level OR professional level. This will help you to transition from your current role to the next role at your Company. Use professional networking sites to connect with people, influence people, solicit feedback on your performance, appreciate your colleague's performance, gather and express your thoughts both personal and professional.
Start Websites...Write blogs. Create presentations using document sharing sites like scribd. Evangelize and Influence people on the technology you are working on. Participate in organizing local events at non-profit Organizations. These experiences will go a long way in becoming a successful Project Manager.
No comments:
Post a Comment