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General Interview Advice - Project Manager

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    • CommentAuthorheffe
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009
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    I'm going in for an interview later this week. I've not been a web project manager before and we are talking about an entry level apprentice type position.

    I really want to wow this interview. What should I review before this interview? Do you have any advice for me?
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      CommentAuthorDoug S.
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009 edited
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  3.  permalink
    Thanks for the recommendation Doug :)

    Heffe, if the job is an entry level position the first thing to do is to not worry too much. The interviewers will probably not be looking for a vast amount of experience but more for potential in you and awareness of a few key areas a junior Web PM would ideally have, e.g.:

    * A foundation understanding of web design and technologies (front and back-end)
    * Attention to detail
    * Commercial awareness
    * Organisational skills
    * The ability to talk to both clients and internal production teams in languages they understand
    * A genuine passion for all things web

    It would be wise to also check out a few other job specs that are similar to the one you're going for, just to see the particular skills they're looking for, and if you aren't sure on a few, get Googling and read up on them before the interview e.g. project scheduling and milestones.

    Another tip would to try and think of a few real world examples where you've 'project managed' something. This doesn't have to be a web project, or even a project in the traditional sense, but perhaps an event you arranged or team you led - you just want to be able to demonstrate you have the attributes of a project manager and now just need the opportunity to use them in a web project environment.

    And just to re-iterate my first point, don't worry too much, if you can display the personality attributes, give examples, show you have a grasp of basic project management and an intense passion for the web, you'll be in with a good chance!

    Let me know if you have any other questions before you head off for the interview, if not, good luck and let us know how it goes!
    • CommentAuthorheffe
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009
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    thanks for the advice! I've been reading the first few posts Sam, I've got to say since I have a lot of Account Management experience, they really make a lot of sense to me.

    I am going to read as much of your posts as I can tomorrow and if I come up with some questions, I'll shoot you an email.

    I really appreciate the advice and the confidence, it helps!
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      CommentAuthorrichquick
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009 edited
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    I'd suggest buying a copy of the PDF version of Paul's book and reading it cover to cover.

    http://boagworld.com/websiteownersmanual/

    It may also be worth getting a copy of "Project Management in easy steps" or something similar and flicking through that .. so that you have an idea about formal project management methodologies if that comes up.
    • CommentAuthorheffe
    • CommentTimeNov 13th 2009
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    update - I didn't get the job right out, but it is because I don't have any experience with drupal which is their major CMS.

    So we are working on a plan to get me up to speed on some of the technology they use, then we'll see where it goes.
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      CommentAuthorthesambarnes
    • CommentTimeNov 14th 2009 edited
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    Awww unlucky Heffe, still, if they're wiling to work with you to get you up to speed they must be keen on you - a good sign :)
    • CommentAuthorheffe
    • CommentTimeNov 18th 2009
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    agreed sam. Paid training would've been ideal, but I understand for a business of only 15 or so.

    I'll post another update (if i can find the thread) in a month or so when I finish this process.

    On a side note, Is there a good resource or database of technology terms that I can study to become more familiar with other technologies?
  9.  permalink
    Depends what technologies youre talking about Heffe?

    If its Drupal, then your best bet is to learn by doing, start with the basics. Maybe get some shared hosting that includes the ability to install the Drupal and Joomla type CMSs so you can get to know how they work... many will say to install yourself locally, but that can be painful if youre learning that as well and just want to have a play with some CMSs.
    • CommentAuthorheffe
    • CommentTimeNov 27th 2009
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    I just wanted a good general Web Technology terms page, so that I can at least talk about other technologies, such as Cold Fusion, without having to learn that too.

    @sam, I built my own Linux box running Ubuntu server with the basic LAMP install. (I haven't used a Linux command line before so I had to learn that in this process) Then I put Drupal 6 on that and have been installing modules and themes, and now I'm working on developing some JavaScript code that will interact with the theme.

    I'm having a much harder time writing JavaScript that interacts with a Drupal page then a standard HTML page, but hopefully I can overcome that next week.

    That at least gives you an idea of what I'm doing to become a little more tech savvy. Its actually been pretty fun.

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