You're preparing for an IT Strategy interview. How can you make sure you stand out?

Companies mostly look on experiences you have made in the specific industry. Besides getting to know the customer as well as possible: prepare examples you did in the industry. What worked well - what not? What are findings you could feed into the strategy of the customer you are going to visit.

Moreover, by preparing relevant and insightful questions based on their research, candidates can engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and showcase their enthusiasm for the role and the company. This proactive approach not only highlights the candidate's preparation and dedication but also sets them apart as a potential asset who is invested in the company's success. In summary, thorough research on the company's mission, vision, values, IT strategies, projects, and challenges is essential for candidates to tailor their responses, demonstrate their fit with the organization, and position themselves as knowledgeable and strategic thinkers during the interview process.

Explore their mission, vision, values, and objectives, and examine how they leverage IT to advance these aspects. Identify details about their ongoing or prospective IT projects, initiatives, and hurdles, and contemplate strategic approaches to address them. Demonstrating your comprehension of the company's environment and requirements, and showcasing your ability to provide pertinent and beneficial insights, is crucial.

Research the company's industry, competitors, and current IT landscape to tailor your responses and demonstrate alignment with their needs and goals.

Do your homework on the business and show that you fully understand its problems, rivals, and industry to stand out in an IT Strategy interview. Demonstrate your ability to match business objectives with IT activities. In order to demonstrate your ability to lead to effective business outcomes, highlight your relevant experience and completed projects. Exhibit a good ability to solve problems and think strategically. Explain how you work with cross-functional teams and your communication skills. Get ready with well-considered inquiries that demonstrate your sincere curiosity about the company's IT plan. Display your capacity to adjust to new developments in technology and market trends.

Frames are tools. Very useful for a specific case. Useless for another. A dentist could lay you out a lot of tools. But before taking those into the hands, a dentist would find out: what is the problem, what is the goal. Then pick the right one. First listen, make interviews, then select right tools & treatment.

Developing an IT strategy isn't universally applicable; there exist diverse frameworks and methodologies tailored to assist in its conception, execution, and assessment, contingent upon specific circumstances and goals.

Understanding AI-driven disruption is key to navigating IT strategy effectively. As businesses face the impact of AI, adapting IT strategies to leverage AI for innovation and competitive advantage becomes crucial. When discussing frameworks, consider how they apply to assessing AI's role within the organization. For instance, use SWOT to evaluate AI's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Porter's Five Forces can help understand the competitive landscape reshaped by AI. The Balanced Scorecard can track AI integration's performance across financial, customer, internal processes, and learning & growth perspectives.

To stand out in an IT Strategy interview: Review popular frameworks like ITIL, COBIT, or TOGAF. Highlight past experiences aligning IT strategy with business goals. Showcase problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. Emphasize continuous learning and staying updated in the field.

Contrary to popular believe, I argue that there is one framework, which can be always applied and deliver at least initial guidance on your specific IT strategy question/challenge: COBIT 2019 and its Design Toolkit enables you to approach development/adjustment of IT governance, operating models or strategies based on a comprehensive, objective and consistent methodology and model. However in case interview situations it may be difficult to apply, understanding the basic concepts (e.g. Goals Cascade, Components and Domains) will benefit you already substatially in structuring your thinking, argumentation and solutions.

To excel in an IT Strategy interview, prepare cases by familiarizing yourself with common case types, analyzing real-world examples, practicing problem-solving, and ensuring clear communication of recommendations. Stay updated on industry trends to provide relevant insights during case discussions

Prepare for IT case studies: understand concepts, review past cases, practice analysis, develop frameworks, stay updated, mock interviews, seek feedback, remain adaptable.

While the role might be strategy-focused, a deep understanding of current technologies, architectures, and trends is essential. Be prepared to discuss technologies relevant to the company's context, such as cloud computing, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

You are sitting in the interview because you have proven your skills. The first talk should be initiated by the customer/interviewer. You should listen. Ask some questions - try to find links, similarities to cases you have done in the industry before.

Asking strategic questions is a key way to differentiate yourself in an interview process. Understanding that your ability to ask articulate and thoughtful questions is imperative to your success as a strategy leader - this is your chance to showcase your skills in action.

I always advocate to remind yourself to have the right mindset when it comes to any kind of job interviews and always ask one specific question: Based on the exchange with a seasoned C-Level executive search professional, I glearned that the moment they interview you, it is not about convincing them, but rather confirming the hiring managers expectations/assumptions about you. Thus, in order to show the required persuasiveness the key question to ask is: "What about me/in my CV made you invite me for the interview?"

Standing out in an IT Strategy interview by the questions you ask can demonstrate your depth of understanding, strategic thinking, and genuine interest in the role and the organization. Here are several tips and examples of insightful questions that can help you make a positive impression. 1. Research the Company's Current IT Strategy and Technology Use 2. Ask About Strategic Goals and Challenges 3. Inquire About Innovation and Future Plans 4. Discuss Technology Trends and Their Impact 5. Understand the Company Culture 6. Explore Professional Development Opportunities 7. Ask About Metrics and Success Evaluation 8. Show Interest in the Team Dynamics

Just like any other interview questions. Learn as much as possible about the organization you are interviewing with in order to provide solutions/responses that are align with that organization's mission and vision.

Key to IT strategy is always "Vision Statement" which should answer some of the key questions like, 1. Review where are we today ? 2. Why are were here today & how did we land here ? 3. Where do we want to be and how do we get there ? Your IT strategy should answer all these key questions from the technology/infrastructure/operations point of view. Only then we can make "IT Strategy" more purpose driven execution journey. Since its current state of IT needs a serious shift in from the inherited tehcnical debt which now probably is not enabling the business the way it should ideally be doing !! If you can have been on this journey, then you can answer this question in the interview quite good.

IT strategy is an enabler of Business strategy and business outcomes. Never try to create an IT strategy in isolation without properly understanding business strategy and needs. Align your strategy and conversation with enterprise's business needs and ensure IT strategy not only aligns to it but also enables desired business outcome.

IT strategist must explore through the "art of possible" to get ahead of curve and lead business into future. It's time to go beyond enabling business, and empower them to #domore and #bemore. IT strategies should steer organisation towards safer, faster, cheaper and sustainable outcomes.