How would YOU answer this job interview question?

[QWK SVT]

I've recently been looking at a potential new jobs... Same company, different functional team that does similar type of work - project management type stuff. I usually interview well (I think so, at least), and in an interview this week, the following question was asked to me, by the reporting manager (with my paraphrasing):<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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The new hire's first task will be to pick up a project that was previously deferred, in November. This project involves a moderate tech build, which is near completion. It was de-railed due to a shift in priorities, at the time (an urgent fire-fight came up). The project is to deliver an online mechanism to track training, within a specific area of the organization.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

I will obviously be working very closely with the new hire and project team to ensure successful delivery of a specific project but given this limited information provided to you today, what steps would you take to get "up to speed" and assist with putting this project back on track?<o:p></o:p>

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Generally quick on my feet, I was a little stunned by this one. There's so little information provided, it makes it tough. The best I could come up with was the obvious type of response:<o:p></o:p>

- meet with others who can impart their experiences, relative to this initiative<o:p></o:p>

- review previous project documents (particularly the charter, project plan, etc.) to understand the problem, solution and where we are today<o:p></o:p>

- speak with those that this initiative will impact, to understand their specific needs<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Other than that, I couldn’t really think of anything on the fly, to answer the question…<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

So… How would YOU have answered the question, above?<o:p></o:p>

[STLR FN]

I would've said WTF?? Give me someone else's FU and you expect me to fix it? No FN way.:D

Seriously, given the limited info, I would've replied the same way. Not much more you could do. Except give the above response.

[QWK SVT]

I would've said WTF?? Give me someone else's FU and you expect me to fix it? No FN way.:D

Seriously, given the limited info, I would've replied the same way. Not much more you could do. Except give the above response.
Since I'm looking at a potential 20% increase in pay, it's more like... "Give me someone else's FU, and I'll fix it! :bounce:Am I jumping high enough for you? I can jump higher!" :D

[BillyGman]

I think it's pretty good what you said, and in addition to that, I would've added that I'd look to meet with him,(theSr. management, supervisor, or whatever) to get all the details of the job so that I can make an educated, and accurate assessment of what's needed for the task at hand to prevent wasted time spent fishing aropund for answers somewhere else. that would've given him a strong message that he needs to do his job in order for me to do mine efficiently. That might not be what he was looking for, and I might not have secured the position for that answer though. but hey, you never know, maybe he's a rare bird in the business place, and he's a responsible leader who's a straight up guy, and that's the type of answer he was looking for.

I see too many supervisors, and people in lower management, covering up problems from their superiors, and sweeping problems under the rug. And the cover ups persist until ther's a meeting held by their superior which is supposed to serve as progress reports, and the only thing that happens in those meetings is who can lie the most, and point the finger of blame at their fellow lower management employees. it's like pin the tail on the donkey. the whole meeting is a blame game, and nothing gets done, and production suffers in the longrun. it's irresponsibility at it's best, and all because the lower management people want to cover things up in hopes that the middle management people do not find out. Instead of taking the bull by the horns and confronting problems head on, and bringing them to their superiors so that they can do what it is that they get paid to do....make decisions. okay rant OFF. :D

[Smokie]

My reply::D

If this project is now a priority to you, then it will become my first priority, I can only promise you that I will devote all my energy and resources to motivate our team in reaching a succesful completion to this project.


I know it sounds like BS, but the interviewer knows he is asking a question that you don't have enough information to answer in any meaningful way....what he is measuring is your ability to respond and more importantly how you respond.:D

[hitchhiker]

1. Review Project charter and sponsorship

2. Evaluate resources and existing timeline and do critical path analysis

3. Meet with project sponsor and define milestones and delivery dates

4. Meet with team members

5. Prepare new project plan and reporting metrics

6. Monitor project progress

7. Motivate project resources

8. Report project progress

Regards,

David

[snowbird]

I've recently been looking at a potential new jobs... Same company, different functional team that does similar type of work - project management type stuff. I usually interview well (I think so, at least), and in an interview this week, the following question was asked to me, by the reporting manager (with my paraphrasing):
...
...
So… How would YOU have answered the question, above?IMO, Smokie and Hitchhiker hit it in the nail. You did answered good thought but, like you said, maybe had been caught a bit off guard.

But, giving that they kind of put that project aside for priority reason a couple months ago, they did paint themselves in the corner... for some obscure reason.

The hill will be harder to climb to bring things back on rails, enthousiasm and motivation wise, but it's not impossible, just harder. It looks a bit like a trap. Maybe i saw too much bull**** in my career thought.

[sailsmen]

1. Review Project charter and sponsorship

2. Evaluate resources and existing timeline and do critical path analysis

3. Meet with project sponsor and define milestones and delivery dates

4. Meet with team members

5. Prepare new project plan and reporting metrics

6. Monitor project progress

7. Motivate project resources

8. Report project progress

Regards,

David

Good out line, use it to head up a meeting of the previous and new team members.

[snowbird]

<FONT color=black>I've recently been looking at a potential new jobs... Same company, different functional team that does similar type of work - project management type stuff. I usually interview well (I think so, at least), and in an interview this week, the following question was asked to me, by the reporting manager (with my paraphrasing):ffice:office" /><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com /><o:p></o:p></FONT></P><P style=
<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Generally quick on my feet, I was a little stunned by this one. There's so little information provided, it makes it tough. The best I could come up with was the obvious type of response:<o:p></o:p>

- meet with others who can impart their experiences, relative to this initiative<o:p></o:p>

- review previous project documents (particularly the charter, project plan, etc.) to understand the problem, solution and where we are today<o:p></o:p>

- speak with those that this initiative will impact, to understand their specific needs<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Other than that, I couldn’t really think of anything on the fly, to answer the question…<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

So… How would YOU have answered the question, above?<o:p></o:p>IMO, Smokie and Hitchhiker hit it in the nail. You did answered good thought but, like you said, maybe had been caught a bit off guard.

But, giving that they kind of put that project aside for priority reason a couple months ago, they did paint themselves in the corner... for some obscure reason.

The hill will be harder to climb to bring things back on rails, enthousiasm and motivation wise, but it's not impossible, just harder. It looks a bit like a trap. Maybe i saw too much bull**** in my career thought.[/QUOTE]

[Logan]

1. Review Project charter and sponsorship

2. Evaluate resources and existing timeline and do critical path analysis

3. Meet with project sponsor and define milestones and delivery dates

4. Meet with team members

5. Prepare new project plan and reporting metrics

6. Monitor project progress

7. Motivate project resources

8. Report project progress

Regards,

David
I would've answered it by going:

Yeah, uh... I know this guy named David who lives for this crap. Go hire him instead. :D

[Krytin]

I would've answered it by going:

Yeah, uh... I know this guy named David who lives for this crap. Go hire him instead. :D I'm gettin to old for this crap! I'm w/Logan!

[jgc61sr2002]

I think you handled yourself very well. That was IMO a very tricky and loaded question. The interviewer was trying to confuse you. I would say again you done good. :D

[dwasson]

I think that all of the important things have been said. The interviewer could have just have well said, "How would you steekle a versmiggle?"

"Well Sir, I'd research all of the prior versmiggle efforts and reexamine the usual steegle processes and apply the best of them to the current versmeegle."

But don't ask me, I'm still unemployed.

[MENINBLK]

Lets discuss whether or not I'm the person for the job, and then we'll talk shop...

[STLR FN]

...I see too many supervisors, and people in lower management, covering up problems from their superiors, and sweeping problems under the rug. And the cover ups persist until ther's a meeting held by their superior which is supposed to serve as progress reports, and the only thing that happens in those meetings is who can lie the most, and point the finger of blame at their fellow lower management employees. it's like pin the tail on the donkey. the whole meeting is a blame game, and nothing gets done, and production suffers in the longrun. it's irresponsibility at it's best, and all because the lower management people want to cover things up in hopes that the middle management people do not find out. Instead of taking the bull by the horns and confronting problems head on, and bringing them to their superiors so that they can do what it is that they get paid to do....make decisions. okay rant OFF. :D
Hell that's an everyday occurence around in the assembly plant. The only difference is the hourly employees are to blame. Never mechanical or management always the employees.

[hitchhiker]

I think that all of the important things have been said. The interviewer could have just have well said, "How would you steekle a versmiggle?"

"Well Sir, I'd research all of the prior versmiggle efforts and reexamine the usual steegle processes and apply the best of them to the current versmeegle."

But don't ask me, I'm still unemployed.

Very Very Schmeeglely!

:D

[QWK SVT]

1. Review Project charter and sponsorship

2. Evaluate resources and existing timeline and do critical path analysis

3. Meet with project sponsor and define milestones and delivery dates

4. Meet with team members

5. Prepare new project plan and reporting metrics

6. Monitor project progress

7. Motivate project resources

8. Report project progress

Regards,

David
I think this is a great response - I wish I could've brought mm.net into the interview with me... Everything else about the interview went well, so I figure I've got a good shot. Actually, a 33% chance - it's down to me and two others... I'll know within the week.


I think that all of the important things have been said. The interviewer could have just have well said, "How would you steekle a versmiggle?"

"Well Sir, I'd research all of the prior versmiggle efforts and reexamine the usual steegle processes and apply the best of them to the current versmeegle."

But don't ask me, I'm still unemployed.
Now that I've had time to reflect on the situation, I've decided to go into the versmeegle business... I've got a revolutionary way to steegle them :D

[AzMarauder]

I think this is a great response - I wish I could've brought mm.net into the interview with me... Everything else about the interview went well, so I figure I've got a good shot. Actually, a 33% chance - it's down to me and two others... I'll know within the week.


Now that I've had time to reflect on the situation, I've decided to go into the versmeegle business... I've got a revolutionary way to steegle them :D
Give the interviewer the link to this thread... he will so impressed by all your cool friends and your choice in cars... you will be a shoo-in !

:P

[QWK SVT]

Well, It's seems my answer was sufficient! I was offered and subsequently accepted the position, this evening. :woohoo:

It's a promotion (though to another group within my organization), with increased complexity, responsibilty, challenge, and... Oh yeah... Pay! 20% increase seems pretty good, to me.

Now I have to hide my ear-to-ear grin, tomorrow morning, and meet with my current boss to have this discussion:
"It's with mixed emotion (teehee :D) that I must inform you I have accepted a role within another department... (teehee :D)"

[jgc61sr2002]

Well, It's seems my answer was sufficient! I was offered and subsequently accepted the position, this evening. :woohoo:

It's a promotion (though to another group within my organization), with increased complexity, responsibilty, challenge, and... Oh yeah... Pay! 20% increase seems pretty good, to me.

Now I have to hide my ear-to-ear grin, tomorrow morning, and meet with my current boss to have this discussion:
"It's with mixed emotion (teehee :D) that I must inform you I have accepted a role within another department... (teehee :D)"


Good luck with your new position. :D :up:

[2003 MIB]

The answer to any project question breaks down into four steps;

1) Plan, 2) Do, 3) Check, 4) Act (PDCA)

[dwasson]

I was offered and subsequently accepted the position, this evening. :woohoo:

Congratulations and good luck. With you taking this promotion all of us move up one space right?

[Krytin]

Well, It's seems my answer was sufficient! I was offered and subsequently accepted the position, this evening. :woohoo:

It's a promotion (though to another group within my organization), with increased complexity, responsibilty, challenge, and... Oh yeah... Pay! 20% increase seems pretty good, to me.

Now I have to hide my ear-to-ear grin, tomorrow morning, and meet with my current boss to have this discussion:
"It's with mixed emotion (teehee :D) that I must inform you I have accepted a role within another department... (teehee :D)" Good luck brother!! Onward and Upward!!
or...
For Duty and Humanity!!
nyuk nyuk nyuk!

[Hotrauder]

I think your answer was right on and so were most of the others. The post served one other important function for me:


A VIVID REMINDER OF THE ABSOLUTE WISDOM IN MY MY DECISION TO RETIRE......
EARLY!!!

[Slowpoke]

I would have asked lots of questions about the project. If it got derailed once perhaps there were other reasons why it was put on hold. Your job is of course to finish it, but you want to be looking at the bigger picture at all times too.


of course, I only had something like 5 job interviews in my whole life, but got every job I went in for.

[Petrograde]

did ya get the promotion?

[CRUZTAKER]

My reply::D

If this project is now a priority to you, then it will become my first priority, I can only promise you that I will devote all my energy and resources to motivate our team in reaching a succesful completion to this project.


I know it sounds like BS, but the interviewer knows he is asking a question that you don't have enough information to answer in any meaningful way....what he is measuring is your ability to respond and more importantly how you respond.:D
I just took an online test of questions and this very question was in there amongst other 'trick' questions.

I was fortunate to do it online and had time to think and confer with oh wise one, my grandfather, ....but my answer consisted of a choice of pre-made selections. I had to choose one.

Funny how these questionaires get around....