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You have an interview scheduled for a project management role you’re super excited about. While you’re hoping to move to the next step of hopefully landing the job of your dreams, you also have those inevitable pre-interview nerves.
What will they ask? How will I answer? Do I have the right direction to the office? Feeling anxious is normal but being better prepared makes the interview process much easier.
Here are some common project manager interview questions, as well as some quality answers that you can use to prepare for your upcoming project management interview. You’ve got this!
Tell me about your favorite project that you’ve managed and what you enjoyed about it
This question is a way for the interviewer to gauge what sort of project management experience you have, what sorts of projects you excel at managing and how much passion you have for the role.
How to answer: Be specific. For example: “I really enjoyed managing the implementation of [new software program] at my last company. It gave me an opportunity to evaluate and refine any processes that weren’t really working for us. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to collaborate with every department in our office to ensure their needs were being met.
What communication style do you use with a team that you’re managing?
Being a strong communicator is one of the most important skills a project manager can possess, and that’s exactly what this question is getting at. At the center of everything a project manager does, there’s communication. From formal presentations and casual brainstorming sessions to in-person meetings.
How to answer: You could say: “I think strong communication skills is one of the most critical qualities of a project manager. My communication style can vary greatly depending on the situation. During a conflict, for example, I tend to be more direct and assertive. But, during a team meeting, I prefer to sit back and be more of a facilitator of collaboration. I believe a strong project manager is able to adjust his or her communication style when necessary, and that’s something I excel at.”
How do you set project goals? How do you monitor the progress of those goals?
What they’re asking: A project won’t get done without clear goals. And, typically, it’s up to the project manager to establish those objectives and ensure they are achieved.
How to answer: Try something like this: “I’m a big believer in setting SMART goals. Ensuring that the project team’s goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound helps to confirm that we’re setting ourselves up for success. I also make sure to sit down with the project team when setting goals in order to incorporate their own thoughts and opinions on where we should be headed. I also prioritize the crucial tasks first and do regular check-ins with the team to ensure we’re moving in the right direction.”
How do you deal with team conflict?
Conflict is pretty much inevitable when managing projects. It’s the project manager’s job to make sure things get resolved in an efficient and effective manner.
How to answer: Think of past situations where you had to diffuse a conflict and make an informed answer.
“First and foremost, I limit the interaction between the conflicting parties in order to get some separation and identify the root cause. Then, I facilitate one-on-one conversations in order to identify if there’s a certain task or stressor that’s causing the issue. At this point, the confrontation comes into play. I’ll facilitate a problem-solving meeting where the conflicting members can talk about the issues, reach a compromise, and move forward. I also make sure to continuously check in on that matter moving forward, to ensure that the root issue has been addressed, resentment has been eradicated and a new conflict isn’t brewing.”
How do you ensure that your project is on schedule to meet the deadline?
The employer’s goal with this question is to confirm that you’re someone who can deliver a project on time and on budget.
How to answer: Try something like this: “Meeting deadlines involves a balance of scope management and schedule management. First and foremost, I ensure that the team has a solid grasp of the scope of the project. Everybody needs to understand what needs to be done before it can be done on time. Then, I move on to schedule management, including time management processes required to complete the project by the deadline. I think it’s important to make sure these processes and a detailed schedule are somewhere that the entire project team can easily access, so there’s no confusion or question about when pieces need to be delivered. I frequently check in on progress and roadblocks to make sure things are coming together in accordance with the process and timelines.”
Tell me about a recent challenge you encountered and how you overcame it
Problems and surprises will always come up, and the employer wants to be sure that they find someone who can handle them and continue leading the team forward.
How to answer “I was tasked with overseeing the entire redesign and redevelopment of our company website. The engineering team and the design team were at a standstill about how to layout a specific page on the website, and it was slowing down the entire project. To shut down the various personal conversations and back-and-forth emails, I facilitated an entire team sit-down where everybody could voice their suggestions. We reached a compromise, and moved forward with the project, delivering it before the deadline.”
Ready to ace your next interview?
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could predict what exactly you’ll be asked in your project manager interview? Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. The good news is you can use these project manager interview questions and answers to prepare, and ace your next interview.
Eager to prepare even more for that upcoming interview of yours? Book a session with an expert interview coach and land the job of your dreams!
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