A project manager is one of the most important people in the team. They are tasked with making sure the project goes smoothly. which is why companies screen carefully for the perfect person for the job. Project managers are tasked with implementing, planning, executing, controlling and closing the project for the company and questions related to these core skills will be asked at the interview.
How to Prepare for a Project Manager Interview?
First things first, you need to know what to do to prepare for the interview. There are standard things that you can do to ready yourself to answer questions when meeting your recruiter to impress them. Our interview tips article will give you a few ideas of how to prepare.
1. How did you first become interested in project management?
This is one of the easier questions to answer but should be given the same consideration as the tougher ones. You should have an answer that shows that you are passionate about the field and talks about the education or experience that you possess.
My first job was working as an analyst on a project. Our project manager was very experienced, and I was introduced to project management by him. While working on the project, I began a diploma in project management and my project manager gave me duties in the field so that I could gain experience as well. .
2. Can you tell us about your last project?
If you are an experienced project manager, this question will definitely come up. You need to speak about your project and explain why you would be a good asset to the company. Elaborate specifics so that the company gets a clear picture.
My last project was working on creating a sustainable water filtration system. I worked with a team of 15 people …
3. Tell us about your most successful project
One of the best ways to answer this question is to actually define what you mean by success. It doesn’t have to be the most profitable project that you worked on. You should choose a project that will show off your skills as well as the success of the project.
I like to define success as delivering the project outcomes by the deadline to the highest possible standard. One of my most successful projects was a moblie app. My team was able to deliver the project to the client by the due date despite having to overcome several issues the week before.
4. Have you ever experienced a failed project and how did you handle it?
Not every project can be a success. If you have a failed project, tell the truth and let them know that you saw it as a learning experience. If you haven’t, try to imagine what you will do and tell them.
I have not yet experienced a failed project, but I hope that if I do, I tell myself that every experience is a teachable moment and that I will learn from it.
5. What’s your leadership style?
Companies need to know that you are a fit for their team and the work environment. Asking about your leadership style allows them to understand how you work and determine if you have the qualities they need.
I believe that I have a democratic leadership style. I allow every member of the team the chance to voice their opinions and provide feedback on the project. I believe that this makes me a better leader as it allows me to see multiple perspectives.
6. How do you prioritize tasks and allocate resources?
This is one of the more technical questions that you will get asked. In these kinds of questions, it is a good idea to mention your qualification in project management and how that helped you to learn the technical side of the job.
While I was studying for a bachelor's in project management at the University of Wisconsin, I was taught several methods of determining the priority of each task...
7. How do you assign tasks?
Being a project manager means that you need to understand what your team can handle. That’s why companies like to know whether you can manage your teams needs and delegate responsibility well. The S.T.A.R. method is the best way to answer this question as it will show your experience and abilities as well.
One of the things I like to do is promote my team’s interests and abilities. I assign tasks as they suit their abilities, but I also like to give them the chance to develop other talents with a senior in charge. Then I periodically check in with them to assess whether they are able to handle it.
8. How do you handle conflict within your team?
When working in a team, there are times when members disagree. As project manager, it is your job to handle the situation and ensure it doesn’t affect the rest of the team. Companies need to know that you are trained to handle issues as they arise.
As a leader, I think that all my team members deserve to voice their own opinions and I recognize that it can lead to conflicts when their opinions do not align. I recently had a situation where two of my team members disagreed with their approach to solve a problem in the project. To solve the conflict between the two members, I sat down with them and began to go over all possible approaches to solving the project problem until we came up with an approach that suited all of us.
9. How do you deal with unexpected setbacks in your project?
Projects rarely go as planned no matter how prepared you are. This is a good question to be prepared for because it is the kind of question that shows your ability to improvise and think quickly.
My last project had a few issues in the final troubleshooting phase. While we managed to fix the issues, it required us to ask the client for an extension of the project and we had to work overtime for several weeks to make sure that the project was running smoothly.
10. What do you think is the most important skill a project manager should possess?
Project managers have many skills, and you can choose any of them. If you have a skill in your resume that was highlighted in the job listing, you might want to choose that skill. But remember, all skills are equally important, and you shouldn’t diminish any of them.
For me, the most important skill has been the ability to listen. Paying attention to my team as well as the stakeholders has given me the insights that I need to make a project successful such as through budgeting or managing resources.
There are many questions that may be asked, and you should be prepared for all of them. You should also be ready for non-project management related questions. Check our article on the most common interview questions for all job types to prepare for every possibility.