So you want to be a project manager huh? According to Monster, “a project manager is responsible for overseeing the completion of a project, and they will typically be involved with every step of the process from hiring to construction. Project managers can work in any number of fields, and their projects can range from developing a new gated community to releasing a new type of music player device.” From this definition, it’s evident that this position depends heavily on the project at stake. However, there are still some common skills and qualities all project managers are expected to have. Here are 10 project manager interview questions and answers to help prepare you.
- How well do you work with project sponsors?
If you don’t know what a project sponsor is, you may want to consider a different career path. A project sponsor is the person who is paying for the project/holds the budget, and/or the one who reviews the project. An appropriate response would be to explain how well you work with others superior to you, and tell of a time when you’ve had to do so before.
- What are some projects you’ve managed in prior experiences?
Here’s your chance to sell yourself. Talk about your previous projects, and what you did to ensure they flourished and were completed on time. If you’re more experienced, you’ll probably have a portfolio that you’d like to share; this is the right time to pull it out.
- How do you make sure that your team works together to meet all project deadlines?
Show the hiring manager that you understand the importance of teamwork, and how vital communication between team members is. Explain how you’ll have weekly or bi-weekly team meetings so everyone can stay up to date on progress and where you’ll work together to set goals and create schedules to reach these goals. Further explain that you will personally check-in with team members individually to ensure that everything is being completed perfectly in a timely fashion.
- How do you recognize and deal with risks throughout the project?
Every project comes with risks, and you’ll be the one responsible for them. There are two types of risks – those that are known (you can recognize them) and those that are unknown (they just pop up). Explain how you are aware of both of these types of risks, and that you’ll create a risk register to record all of the possible risks.
- What have you learned from any previous mistakes you’ve made in a project manager position?
In the words of Hannah Montana, “everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days.” Be truthful here, and explain a mistake that occurred in a previous project you’ve managed, how you dealt with it, and how you overcame it. Also, tell the hiring manager the lesson you learned from this mistake, and how making this mistake betters you for any future position.
- How do you deal with issues that may arise amongst your team?
Politics can arise; some members of your team will want to do one thing while other members what to do another thing. As a project manager, you’re responsible for your team. If you find out about any issues, you’ll sit down with the appropriate parties and talk everything through. Communication is key, and you want to hear everyone’s side, however as project manager it is your job to choose whichever will produce the best results for the project.
- What’s an ethical decision you’ve had to make in regards to a project?
In this response, hiring managers not only want to hear the truth from a personal experience, but also want to hear that you’re aware of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. This answer will show that you can make tough decisions, while following through with the code of ethics.
- What’s your plan of attack when it comes to a new project?
Here you are showing your ability to think things through and that you are organized. The first step is to recognize the objective of the project, the goal end result of the project, and the time frame you have to complete it. Then address how you’ll create a list of all the steps that need to be completed, with corresponding time allocations, to be distributed amongst the team. Be sure to also remember to recognize potential risks that may arise and once again note that you’ll be prepared for unknown risks as well. Finally, explain how you will delegate assignments to members of the team, and oversee them every step of the way.
- What one skill does a project manager need?
There are a plethora of skills a project manager needs, and this question is tailored to show the hiring manager not only what you think is most important, but also what your strongest skill is. The key to crafting this answer is to share your greatest strength as a project manager. This then will make it easier for you to explain how you will utilize this skill within the position. Great examples of skills are flexibility or ability to stay on a schedule.
- How will you put together your team?
Working with and managing a team is a huge aspect of being a project manager. The answer to this question will show the hiring managers what type of leader you are and let them know that you recognize what proper skills are needed to complete the project. Explain how the team will be tailored to the specific project as each project requires a different skill set, and that you recognize the importance of a solid team.
These ten questions are specifically tailored towards project managers, however you will be asked other more general questions as well. Be sure to prepare for common interview questions as well. To impress your hiring manager even more, brush up on these top project management software tools for work and integrate them into your responses where applicable. Now go and rock the interview!