In today’s tough job market, putting your best foot forward at every interview is crucial. There are job sectors where this is more true than in project management. Project management is a highly lucrative position, and the competition is fierce. While you may have the degrees, the experience and say all the right things, today’s companies and recruiters are looking for just a bit more. When they’re looking for their next project manager, everything from your personality to the current PMP online courses you’re taking can count.

1) You talk about your failures, as well as your successes.

It may sound surprising to discuss where you went wrong on previous occasions on projects, but showing that you understand your failures and discussing what you did to fix them can show a strong character. Additionally, it can show that you have the ability to recognize when something isn’t working, which is a huge plus for any project manager. Candidates who fail to do this may look boastful or unable to come to terms with any previous shortcomings.  

2) You’re constantly topping up your abilities and skills.

If you’re attending PMP online courses with Masterstreet.com, regularly writing articles on project management issues or even meeting with other professionals to discuss new ideas and programs in project management, be sure to highlight these in an interview. Dedicating your own time towards your education, even if it’s just to fulfil your PMP certification requirements, goes a long way with a potential employer to show that you care about your profession and want to maintain the highest standards of knowledge. It will also show that you’ll be able to come in and ensure that the best practices and most up-to-date standards are in place for any project you’re working on.

3) You’ve got a sense of humour.

There’s nothing worse in business than a sour-faced co-worker, and projects can be stressful, particularly near the end. Having a maintaining a good sense of humour with your colleagues and upper management alike can help to keep everyone at ease, and that work flowing. This is a particularly handy skill when diffusing an argument, or dealing with an unexpected snafu of some sort.

4) You can prove that you’re a great listener.

One of the easiest tricks you can use in an interview is to get the interviewer to talk more than you do. When you’re nervous, it’s very easy to babble, lose track of what you were saying or even stop making sense. By slowing down the conversation on your end and encouraging the interviewer to talk, it gives you a chance to show off your listening skills. Try asking questions before you answer. For example, if you’re asked “What are your strengths?” you can respond with, “Perhaps you could tell me a little bit about some of the projects I’ll be working on, so I’m able to tailor my strengths better to what you’re looking for.” Commonly, the more an interviewer talks, the better they tend to think the interview went.

5) You think outside of the box.

Project management is an ever-evolving, multi-faceted discipline. It requires frequent PMP online courses and updates, as well as being able to think creatively and on your feet. When you’re discussing projects that you’ve worked on, be sure to highlight a few issues you may have encountered and what you did to smooth them over. Very few companies are interested in the same old fixes. Innovation is the keyword of the day, and highlighting that will serve you well in any interview.