How can you talk about your experience with agile methodology in IT?

1 Explain what agile means to you

The first step is to define what agile methodology means to you and how you apply it in your IT projects. Agile is not a one-size-fits-all framework, but rather a set of values and principles that can be adapted to different contexts and goals. You can use examples from your previous or current work to illustrate how you use agile practices, such as scrum, kanban, sprints, user stories, retrospectives, or testing. You can also mention how agile helps you deliver value to your customers, respond to changing requirements, and improve your team's performance.

2 Demonstrate your agile mindset

The second step is to show that you have an agile mindset, which is the attitude and culture that supports agile methodology. An agile mindset means that you are open to learning, feedback, and experimentation. You are willing to embrace change, uncertainty, and failure as opportunities for growth. You are collaborative, communicative, and customer-oriented. You can demonstrate your agile mindset by sharing how you approach problems, challenges, and opportunities in your IT projects. You can also highlight how you communicate with your stakeholders, teammates, and users, and how you seek and incorporate feedback.

3 Showcase your agile achievements

The third step is to showcase your agile achievements, which are the outcomes and results that you have delivered or contributed to using agile methodology. Agile achievements can be measured by various metrics, such as quality, speed, customer satisfaction, or business value. You can use numbers, percentages, or testimonials to quantify or qualify your agile achievements. You can also use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to structure your stories and explain how you used agile methodology to solve a problem, complete a task, or achieve a goal.

4 Highlight your agile skills

The fourth step is to highlight your agile skills, which are the abilities and competencies that enable you to work effectively with agile methodology. Agile skills can be technical, such as coding, testing, or debugging, or soft, such as communication, collaboration, or creativity. You can list your agile skills on your resume or cover letter, or provide examples of how you use them in your IT projects. You can also mention any certifications, trainings, or courses that you have completed or attended related to agile methodology.

5 Address any agile challenges

The fifth step is to address any agile challenges, which are the difficulties or obstacles that you have faced or overcome using agile methodology. Agile challenges can be internal, such as resistance to change, lack of trust, or skill gaps, or external, such as unrealistic expectations, complex dependencies, or changing priorities. You can use agile challenges as an opportunity to demonstrate your resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. You can also explain how you cope with agile challenges, such as seeking help, learning new skills, or adjusting your plans.

6 Express your agile aspirations

The sixth and final step is to express your agile aspirations, which are your goals, plans, or interests related to agile methodology. Agile aspirations can be personal, such as improving your skills, learning new tools, or advancing your career, or professional, such as working on new projects, collaborating with new teams, or delivering more value to your customers. You can use agile aspirations to show your enthusiasm, motivation, and curiosity for agile methodology. You can also ask questions, seek feedback, or request advice from your potential employer or interviewer about agile methodology.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?