9
O P I N I O N
J uggler. Cat herder. Diplomat. They go by many names, but project managers have one of the toughest jobs in the AEC industry. On top of that, the selection panel members tell us the PM is the most important person in the interview, making the pressure even greater. Get personal There are four ways AEC project managers can shine in team interviews. Try them all and win more work.
Scott Johnston
project manager for this project. I’m really excited to manage this project – it’s the perfect fit for me. Did I mention I’m passionate about being a project manager?” Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration. But only a slight one – and only to make a point. It’s hard to stand out as a PM. To rise above the crowd, follow these four tips: 1)Get personal to be memorable. Record your in- troduction and play it back. Now ask yourself the following: Could a project manager on another team say exactly the same thing? All PMs claim they com- municate regularly, listen well, ask questions, and are well organized. What are you saying that’s differ- ent and memorable? “We always try to connect with the client on a per- sonal level,” says Stefan Rehnfeldt, a project man- ager at GLY Construction. “While it might seem like banter or chitchat, there are clues as to what [the panel] is looking for.”
“The PM must be a powerful, confident leader without coming across as arrogant or domineering. The selection panel will rarely select a PM who appears passive – they want someone who will direct the team to a successful project no matter what obstacles appear,” says Carol Slaughterbeck, executive vice president/CFO at Herrera Environmental Consultants . “All PMs claim they communicate regularly, listen well, ask questions, and are well organized. What are you saying that’s different and memorable?” So how do project managers introduce themselves at a big interview? Often, by saying something like this:
See SCOTT JOHNSTON, page 10
“Hi, my name is Johnny Appleseed and I’ll be the
THE ZWEIG LETTER February 6, 2017, ISSUE 1186
Made with FlippingBook Annual report