What are some methods you would use to build relationships as delivery manager at a new company?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
What to Avoid
Answer Example

Relationship-building skills are essential to the success of a delivery manager. Interviewers ask this question to understand how a candidate would approach building relationships within a new company or with external clients.

Avoid single strategy answers when discussing how you would build relationships with stakeholders. Delivery managers directly rely on the efforts from various internal and external groups in order to be successful, and it is expected that a variety of techniques would need to be deployed in order to be effective.

"When starting at a new company I would first reach out to my peers and management to understand how things work internally. I would use these discussions to determine a strategy for internal group outreach as well as customer outreach.

I would then use a mix of formal and informal check-in meetings to discuss the current state of what is working well and what needs to be improved. I would ask if there are specific actions I could take to ensure a positive working relationship going forward. I would also engage in end-user shadowing where possible. I find that spending time with end-users goes a long way towards building trust and establishing a valuable information stream.

Finally, I like to engage with clients or co-workers in a social setting where appropriate. I enjoy coordinating team-building activities and client meals or events to get to know the people I work with better. Taking the time to learn something personal about a co-worker or client quickly adds value and helps to build a solid communication foundation."

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How to Answer: What are some methods you would use to build relationships as delivery manager at a new company?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an IT Delivery Manager job interview.

3. What are some methods you would use to build relationships as delivery manager at a new company?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Relationship-building skills are essential to the success of a delivery manager. Interviewers ask this question to understand how a candidate would approach building relationships within a new company or with external clients.

Written by Karrie Day on April 6th, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid single strategy answers when discussing how you would build relationships with stakeholders. Delivery managers directly rely on the efforts from various internal and external groups in order to be successful, and it is expected that a variety of techniques would need to be deployed in order to be effective.

Written by Karrie Day on April 6th, 2022

Answer Example

"When starting at a new company I would first reach out to my peers and management to understand how things work internally. I would use these discussions to determine a strategy for internal group outreach as well as customer outreach.

I would then use a mix of formal and informal check-in meetings to discuss the current state of what is working well and what needs to be improved. I would ask if there are specific actions I could take to ensure a positive working relationship going forward. I would also engage in end-user shadowing where possible. I find that spending time with end-users goes a long way towards building trust and establishing a valuable information stream.

Finally, I like to engage with clients or co-workers in a social setting where appropriate. I enjoy coordinating team-building activities and client meals or events to get to know the people I work with better. Taking the time to learn something personal about a co-worker or client quickly adds value and helps to build a solid communication foundation."

Written by Karrie Day on April 6th, 2022

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