Preparation for John Hancock should be focused on articulating your experience with clarity and confidence. Because the interview process is often conversational, you should be prepared to dive deep into the "why" behind your past decisions.

Role-Related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a firm grasp of standard project management frameworks and how they adapt to a corporate, regulated environment. Interviewers will look for your ability to scale your approach based on project size and complexity.

Communication & Influence – As a Project Manager, your primary tool is your communication. You will be evaluated on your ability to explain complex project statuses to leadership while keeping technical teams motivated and aligned.

Problem-Solving & Adaptability – John Hancock interviewers look for candidates who remain calm under pressure. Be ready to discuss how you identify bottlenecks early and how you pivot when a project hits a roadblock.

The interview process at John Hancock is generally characterized by its focus on direct, professional dialogue. You should anticipate a process that values your personal history as much as your technical skills. Most candidates experience a mix of phone screens and, depending on the role, either virtual or in-person panel interviews. The pace can vary, but the interactions are typically transparent and focused on determining if you are a strong cultural and operational match for the team.

The visual timeline above illustrates the typical progression from initial screening to final onsite discussions. You should interpret this as a guide for your energy management; ensure you are fully prepared to discuss your resume in detail during the early screens, as these often set the tone for the entire process.

Experience & Methodology

The hiring team wants to understand your track record. They are looking for evidence that you have successfully navigated the lifecycle of projects similar to those found at John Hancock.

Be ready to go over:

• Project Lifecycles – Your experience from initiation to closure.
• Stakeholder Management – How you keep project sponsors informed and aligned.
• Resource Allocation – How you manage team capacity and budget constraints.

Example scenarios:

• "Walk us through a project that failed to meet its initial deadline. What did you change to get it back on track?"
• "How do you handle a scenario where project scope begins to creep?"

Cultural Alignment

Interviews at John Hancock are highly conversational. The team is assessing whether you will work well with their existing cross-functional partners.

Be ready to go over:

• Collaboration – Providing examples of how you have worked with technical and business teams.
• Adaptability – How you handle changes in company objectives or leadership.
• Transparency – Your philosophy on reporting bad news or project delays.

As a Project Manager, your day-to-day will revolve around facilitating progress. You will act as the "connective tissue" between departments, ensuring that project requirements are clearly defined, tasks are delegated, and milestones are hit.

Expect to spend a significant portion of your time in meetings, not just for status updates, but for active problem-solving. You will be responsible for:

• Developing project plans and timelines that align with departmental objectives.
• Monitoring project health and proactively identifying risks before they become issues.
• Facilitating communication between internal teams and external vendors or stakeholders.
• Maintaining project documentation and reporting performance metrics to management.

A competitive candidate for this position brings a blend of formal project management certification, industry experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Must-have skills: Proficiency in project management software, strong written and verbal communication, and a proven ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Nice-to-have skills: PMP or equivalent certification, experience in the financial services sector, and familiarity with agile or hybrid project management methodologies.
• Experience level: Most successful candidates have a solid foundation of 3–5+ years of experience in project coordination or management roles.