What is the best way to answer "What is your experience with change management?

Although I have been offering change management consulting services for many years, I have never been asked this question. Potential clients want to know from me: - How can I help? - Which clients have I already advised? - Do I have experience in similar areas and sectors? - How do I proceed? It is usually not the techniques and frameworks that matter, but the phases and steps I have gone through with previous customers. So if we can tell and explain case studies from companies, from the initial situation to the objectives, challenges and procedures, then that usually answers the customer's question.

I've interviewed over 400 people who wanted me to hire them for a job. Yes, you need to understand what the interviewer is looking for, but I was always looking for how people could pivot, how they could lead others through chaos or uncharted territory, and how they would keep a level head along the way. This isn't just about seeing how you achieve results. This question is also very much geared towards how you handle yourself, lead others and if you can be agile and flexible.

Especially since Covid, we are living in a constant world of changes. Therefore such a question on managing change is irrelevant. If you cannot manage change, you cannot survive. Period.

To provide a comprehensive response to questions about experience in change management, highlight specific projects, methodologies, and outcomes. Begin by discussing direct involvement in change initiatives, elucidating roles, and detailing methodologies used, such as Kotter's 8-Step Process or the ADKAR model. Describe successful interventions, highlighting how strategies were customized to align with organizational culture and needs.

This is a great opportunity to actually start a discussion with the client. What have they experienced, what has worked or not worked in their context and why.

Case studies are a wonderful way to look at an answer to the question of experience in change management. Customers want to know whether we have already experienced similar situations and industries. The STAR method can be a structure for case studies. It is easy to explain what it is all about: - What was the customer's initial situation? What was it about? What was the problem? - What was the customer's objective? What did he want to achieve? - What were the challenges? Why had the customer not yet succeeded? - How did we proceed? What were the individual steps or phases? - What did the end result look like?

While this is a method must subscribe to, I would argue more so to speak to the empathy shown, the communication skills you possess, how your team responded to your leadership than just what the specific situation was. Anyone can make something up. Speaking to the humanity side or the empathy shown speaks to to fact you actually know what it takes to lead through change.

When asked about change management experience, start with a brief overview: "I have X years of experience in leading change initiatives, particularly in [specific roles]." Share a key example: "At [Company], I spearheaded a project to [specific change], involving [key actions], leading to [successful outcome]." Highlight essential skills: "I've honed skills in communication, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability." Reflect on learning: "Each project taught me valuable lessons about [aspect of change management]." Conclude by linking to the role: "My experience aligns well with [this role's requirements], especially in handling [specific challenges]." This concise response showcases your background, approach, and relevance to the role.

There is no one right answer. You should spend time, maybe, once a quarter, twice a year, reflecting on what you've accomplished and capturing the impact of your work. During this reflection, you can capture stories of change management and other areas you help with so that when you are presented with the question, you'll be prepared.

Find out more about the client's requirements and then mentally compile and pick from your own experience what strategies / actions can be applied to address them.