Remember to discuss your personnel management and development experience you have that comes from roles prior to program management if your experience as a program manager is limited. Also, be sure to include your experience assigning work and weighing in on performance reviews if you are not a direct manager.

"I currently work as a program manager within a PMO. There are four project managers that report to me directly. I handle their HR related needs, help them set their goals, assign their work, and write their reviews. I hold regular one-on-ones to discuss progress, issues and work together to help them achieve their goals and progress professionally. I work with them collectively to ensure we collaborate and share knowledge appropriately. I also coordinate their training and ensure they have access to mentors as needed.

Prior to working in project and program management, I was a senior business analyst and I mentored other analysts regularly. Also, I have mentored aspiring project managers that come from a number of backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoy this aspect of my work and I would love the opportunity to help develop talent as a senior program manager at your company."

"I do not have experience as a direct manager. My background lies in working in a matrixed organization where the cross-functional resources I lead report to centralized HR managers. However, I am responsible for managing the work assignments of three project managers. I discuss their performance with their managers and weigh in heavily on their reviews. The majority of their professional development comes from working with me or with mentors I help them to select. I also help to develop the analysts and scrum masters I work with. I have served in both of those roles, and I work to coach them on best practices and solve complex problems.

Finally, I participate in the hiring process for the majority of the resources for our teams, and I am typically involved with the management of any identified performance issues. I feel confident that I would be able to handle any direct resource management opportunities I may have at your company."