Tell us about a time when you had to work with cross-functional teams to deliver on a common goal.

Sample answer to the question

One time I had to work with cross-functional teams was when I was part of a project to develop a new mobile app. We had team members from different departments, including developers, designers, and marketing. We had regular meetings to discuss progress and make sure everyone was aligned with the goals. I was responsible for prioritizing tasks and ensuring that everyone had the resources they needed. Despite some challenges, such as conflicting opinions and tight deadlines, we managed to deliver the app on schedule. It was a great learning experience in collaboration and communication.

A more solid answer

I can provide a more detailed example of a time when I had to work with cross-functional teams to deliver on a common goal. In my previous role as a Business Analyst, I was involved in a project to implement a new CRM system for our company. This project required collaboration between the IT department, sales team, and customer service team. We had regular meetings to discuss requirements, prioritize tasks, and address any challenges. I took on the role of facilitating communication between the teams and ensuring that everyone had a clear understanding of their responsibilities. I also worked closely with stakeholders to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments to the project plan. Despite some initial resistance to change, we were able to successfully implement the CRM system within the defined timeline. This experience taught me the importance of effective communication, stakeholder management, and the ability to prioritize tasks and resources.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides a specific example of the candidate's experience working with cross-functional teams and delivering a project. It addresses the evaluation areas mentioned in the job description, such as communication skills, stakeholder management skills, and ability to prioritize tasks and resources. However, it can still be further improved by providing more details on the candidate's leadership skills and how they contributed to the success of the project.

An exceptional answer

Let me share a comprehensive example of a time when I had to work with cross-functional teams to deliver on a common goal. In my previous role as an Agile Project Manager, I was responsible for leading a software development project that aimed to redesign our company's e-commerce platform. This project involved cross-functional teams comprising developers, designers, testers, and product managers. To ensure effective collaboration, I organized regular meetings, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. As the Scrum Master, I facilitated the Agile ceremonies and ensured that the team followed the Scrum framework. Additionally, I created a shared understanding of the project goals by conducting workshops and engaging stakeholders from different departments, including marketing and sales. I effectively prioritized tasks and allocated resources based on their impact and urgency, resulting in the timely completion of each sprint. Throughout the project, I demonstrated strong communication skills by providing clear requirements, progress updates, and addressing any conflicts or challenges that arose. By fostering a positive team culture, I motivated team members to share their ideas and collaborate effectively. As a result, we successfully delivered the redesigned e-commerce platform, meeting all the project objectives, including improved user experience and increased conversion rates. This experience showcased my ability to work with cross-functional teams, communicate effectively, prioritize tasks and resources, and provide leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a comprehensive example of the candidate's experience working with cross-functional teams and delivering a complex project. It addresses all the evaluation areas mentioned in the job description, such as the ability to work with cross-functional teams, communication skills, stakeholder management skills, ability to prioritize tasks and resources, and leadership skills. The answer demonstrates a deep understanding of Agile methodologies, showcases the candidate's role as a Scrum Master, and highlights their successful track record in delivering projects. It provides specific details, such as conducting workshops with stakeholders and the project's impact on the company. The answer could be further improved by including measurable results, such as the percentage increase in conversion rates.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on past experiences working with cross-functional teams and delivering projects. Identify specific examples that showcase your ability to collaborate, communicate, and prioritize tasks.
Research and familiarize yourself with Agile and Scrum methodologies, as they are highly valued in this role. Understand the key principles and practices of Agile project management.
Review your leadership skills and experiences. Think about times when you have taken the initiative, facilitated teamwork, and motivated others to achieve common goals.
Practice storytelling and concise communication. Prepare concise and structured answers that highlight your role, actions, and outcomes in cross-functional team projects.
Be prepared to discuss any challenges or conflicts that you encountered while working with cross-functional teams and how you resolved them. Focus on positive outcomes and lessons learned.
Highlight any experience you have with Agile Project Management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, or similar. Familiarize yourself with these tools and be ready to explain how you have used them in past projects.

What interviewers are evaluating

Ability to work with cross-functional teams
Communication skills
Stakeholder management skills
Ability to prioritize tasks and resources
Leadership skills