Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Project Manager Interview questions and answers

Project managers ensure that the client’s requirements are met; the project is completed on time, and within budget. Typical responsibilities of a project manager include representing the client’s interest, organizing people working on the project, risk assessment, making sure the quality standards are met etc. Depending on the project, responsibilities can cover all aspects from the design stage through to completion and handover to the client. Below are some frequently asked project manager interview questions and answers. However, you should be prepared with other questions as well.

1 Q: What were the projects that you handled before?

A: Describe the projects that you have handled briefly and accurately. Always answer honestly as sometimes you may be asked to produce a certification or they even contact your previous employer. Through this question, the interviewer gets an idea as to what kind of projects you will be able to handle efficiently. Answer in a few sentences and in a confident tone.

2 Q: What did you find the most challenging aspects of the project?

A: This question allows the interviewer to know how good you are in handling challenges and problems. Describe a situation based on your actual work experience. Then say about the solutions that you implemented. You should give a very honest answer to this question.

3 Q:. Describe your way of encouraging your team members?

A: The interviewer wants to determine your leadership skills. Share your key strengths and also mention how you have used them in various projects. For saying about your weakness avoid denying that you don’t have any weakness. Describing about your weakness shows that you accept this fact and also suggest the steps you are taking to overcome it.

4 Q: What are the essential qualities of a project manager?

A: The essential qualities of a project manager are good communication skills, leadership, ability to delegate tasks and problem solving skills. You can describe giving examples where you have shown such skills in your previous job. Answer in brief and to the point. Show your enthusiasm while saying your answer.

5 Q: What project management systems do you use?

A: The interviewer wants to know whether you have the required knowledge of existing management models and systems. Mention all the programs and software that you have used previously. Also, describe about the training you took for acquiring new knowledge. This will show how you are interested in updating your knowledge.

6 Q: How do you perform under stress?

A: A project manager will have to deal with stressful. So the interviewer will want to know whether you are able to deal with such situations. Give example of your work situation from the past. Describe why it was stressful and how you overcame the situation. You can also add your ways of dealing with stress in your answer.

7 Q:. What was your greatest success as a project manager?

A: Describe in detail the project that you consider was the most successful and explain your reasons. You can say this answer in the best way possible as it brings your success as a project manager. You need to prove that you did bring success as a project manager.

8 Q:. What was your biggest failure as a project manager?

A: Say this answer in such a way that it brings a positive impression of you on the interviewer. Describe the cause of the failure but mention what you learnt from it and how it has made you a better manager. Always end in a positive and confident tone.

9 Q:. Why should we hire you?

A: This question basically aims at selling yourself. You have to align your answer to the company and focus on the benefits you can bring. Describe your way of contributing to the company and what skills and abilities you bring with you. Limit your answer in a few sentences.

10 Q: What do you think are the main causes of project failure?

A: There are various reasons why projects fail. Describe some of them in brief. Some of the reasons can be poor governance of project, poor implementation and loss of focus on project benefits. However keep your answer short and also explain how these reasons can be resolved so that a project does not result in a failure.

11 Q: What are your long term goals?

A: This question is asked to see how goal oriented you are. This is a good chance to tell the interviewer how you progressed through your career, and what you did to achieve your goals. Be specific and to the point. You need to show the interviewer that you have a goal in life and you know where you are going.

12 Q: Why do you want to leave your job?

A: Avoid making negative remarks about your previous boss or employees or the company even if they are true. You will be viewed as a person with a negative attitude. Say something short and positive. You can very well say that you are looking for a change in environment or a more challenging job etc. Whatever you say, you should not sound negative.

13 Q: Have you ever faced any disagreements in your previous job?

A: A project manager has to face many disappointments. They can be between employees, between the boss and employees or between client and employee. Avoid saying that you never ever faced disagreements as it is difficult to believe this. Come up with one incident where you had to face disagreements and how you resolved the situation using your skills and experience. Talk in a few sentences and end in a positive tone.