When change occurs in the workplace, it can create new problems. Do you see these as inconvenient problems or opportunities to learn?
As a project manager, you already know that problems often arise due to new implementations and procedures or unforeseen kinks that need smoothing when a change occurs in the workplace. The interviewer wants to see if you positively approach these problems or resist the change. Talk to the interviewer about how you adapt to issues that cause change. If you have work experience, try answering this question using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
"Change is inevitable when you work in the healthcare industry, as there are multiple moving parts and ever-changing regulations. Also, with a blend of permanent employees, temporary staff, and subcontractors, even the most skilled PM cannot control everyone's actions in a day. Recently I had a major shift in my team and, overnight, went from being completely staffed to reassessing our temporary staffing strategy due to multiple no-shows. I saw this as an opportunity to stretch outside of my comfort zone. I found a new temporary staffing agency that could provide a greater number of reliable service workers at an even lower rate than I was previously budgeting. In the end, I saw this situation as a blessing because it caused me to revisit my temp labor spend, saving me nearly 15K by the end of the project. I embrace unexpected changes and certainly view them as learning opportunities."
"Being new to my PM career, I plan to approach every day and situation as an opportunity to learn and grow, even if it's uncomfortable. I believe there's something valuable to take away from any situation that involves change, so I remain adaptable. I am capable of pivoting when needed and maintain focus through unexpected challenges."
Healthcare project managers must be flexible and willing to approach change positively. You want to avoid saying that you do not adapt to change well or view change as an inconvenient problem. It is your job to use change as an opportunity for you and your team to learn and grow together.
