Best Sample Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

If you are planning to take an interview for a project manager position, it is important to prepare for it with questions that may be asked.

There are certain questions interviewers will likely ask in a project manager interview and knowing them and preparing your responses before the interview date will help boost your confidence at the real interview and increase your chances of giving a great performance.

This post provides some of the most likely project manager interview questions you can use in preparing for the interview, please, read on:

What do Interviewers Look For in a Project Manager?

Interviewers look for candidates who seem like perfect fits for the project manager position that they want to fill.

They won’t only be focusing on your experience with project management, but also whether you will be a good personality fit.

It’s important to have a complete understanding of the project management position before you go into an interview!

10 Most Common Project Manager Interview Questions (with Answers)

If you are taking an interview for a project manager job, here are common questions you might face:

1. What are your greatest strengths?

Answer: I’m a good multi-tasker. I have the ability to take on many tasks at once and have them all done well. I’m also extremely organized and can keep track of many things at once.

2. Why should we hire you?

Answer: I am a good fit for the position. I have a complete understanding of project management and I’m ready for the job. Additionally, I have the relevant credentials, strengths, and passion for the position.

3. Where do you anticipate for yourself in five years’ time?

Answer: I hope to have moved on from my current job position by then and I see myself spending the next 5 years in this company.

4. How would your colleagues describe you as a colleague and leader?

Answer: One thing that plays to my strength is being a good leader. I’m very organized, which helps me stay on top of things when leading a project. I also have the ability to motivate others and connect with them in the process. My colleagues describe me as being easy-going, fun to work with, and someone who is very approachable.

5. Do you have any weaknesses that I should know about before the interview concludes?

Answer: Yes, like everyone, I am not perfect. My weakness is that I get too caught up in my work and this leads to me finishing late some days. I don’t think it’s a huge issue, but I am willing to tell you about it for the sake of transparency.

6. How did you handle a difficult situation in the past?

Answer: I was on my way back from work one night when I saw someone who looked like they were in danger. It turned out that the person was on drugs and threatening to hurt people at the docks unless he got more. At first I called for help but quickly realized that it wouldn’t be enough on its own. I tried talking him down first, but eventually had to fight with him so he would stand down long enough for me to get some help.

7. Why should we pick you over your competition?

Answer: I’m a seasoned project manager and I’ve been working in the industry for over ten years. I’ve had experience with both high and low-level projects and I know how to work well with others. I think that my experience will allow me to excel as your new project manager!

8. What relevant experience do you have for this role?

Answer: I’ve over ten years of comprehensive experience in the industry. I’ve been able to work at a lot of different levels and with a lot of different people. I think that my experience would be very helpful in this position.

9. How do you handle pressure and stress?

Answer: Everyone has experienced anxiety and stress. For me, I think that my strategy is to focus on the present moment and really be aware of how it feels in my body physically. It’s not necessarily great advice for how to handle pressure and stress but it works for me!

10. What motivates you to accept this position?

Answer: I want this position because I think that my experience would be invaluable to the company. Moreover, I have a lot of interests in the field and I feel like it would be a great way for me to learn more about all of them.

More Sample Project Manager Interview Questions to Work With

Here are more questions you can use in your preparation for a project manager interview (they are categorized):

Sample Behavioral Based Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. Can you tell me about a time when stress levels were too high for you to handle?
2. What are your expectations of the company during this position?
3. How do you feel about handling multiple projects at once?
4. What are your three greatest accomplishments?
5. Tell me about the last time you had to deal with a conflict or difficult person.

Sample Case Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. Tell me about a time when you’ve disagreed with someone in the past
2. What qualities do you look for in a colleague?
3. How would your co-workers describe you?
4. Give me an example of a conflict that you had to deal with and how did it end up resolving itself.
5. What was the last disagreement that you had and what was the resolution.

Sample Competency Based Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. Can you give me an example of a time when you were part of a project that was unsuccessful?
2. What is your plan if something goes wrong?
3. Give an example of a time when you successfully completed a project. What was the outcome?
4. What is your strategy for controlling changes?
5. How do you handle rejection and conflicts in the workplace?

Sample Problem-solving Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. What is the difference between a project and a program?
2. How do you think an organization should create value for their customers?
3. What are the benefits of customer relationship management (CRM)?
4. Where will IT be five years from now? What innovations can we expect to see in this field over the next few years?
5. Can you identify three business risks?

Sample Situational Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. How would you handle a co-worker who continuously shows up late?
2. What are some ways that you could improve teamwork in the office?
3. How do you feel about deadlines and time constraints?
4. How do you think your experience will help you to excel at this position?
5. What would be the biggest challenge that our new project manager might face while working here?

Sample Communication Skills Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. What is your management style?
2. Do you prefer to be a hands-on or hands-off manager?
3. Does one size fit all when it comes to communication with employees and stakeholders, or do you tailor your approach to each person’s unique needs?
4. What are some of the qualities that make for an effective communicator?
5. How do you know if someone is not telling the truth during a meeting or conversation?

Sample Interpersonal Skills Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. How do you work with those who have been difficult to get along with in the past?
2. Can you tell me about a time when you had to convince someone of something that they didn’t want to agree to?
3. In your opinion, is it more important for a team member or leader to be able – and willing -to speak up when problems arise, even if they may seem trivial?
4. Give me an example of a time where you used empathy in a project.
5. Are there any ‘hot button’ topics at work that could lead someone not on your team debating issues publicly with members on your team without going through formal channels first?

Sample Company Culture Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. What is your company’s mission?
2. What do you like most about the company culture?
3. Tell me about a time when something wasn’t working well, what was done to fix it?
4. What are some of the challenges ahead for the company to overcome this year?
5. How would you describe your own leadership style to me, if I were interviewing for this position today?”

Sample Leadership Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. What are the most important priorities for this position?
2. What does it mean to be an inspirational leader?
3. Tell me about a time when you needed to modify your leadership approach.
4. How would you explain the culture of this company in one sentence, if I were interviewing for this position today?
5. Who is your role model and why do you admire them so much?

Sample Management Interview Questions for Project Manager Position

1. Are you a team player?
2. Are you a leader or a follower?
3. What is your leadership style and what changes have you made to it in the past?
4. Have there been any obstacles that have helped shape who you are as an individual today?
5. Tell me about a time when something didn’t go well. How did you overcome that challenge or setback, and what was the outcome for this project?

Project Manager Interview Success Tips

Based on useful experience and research, here are 3 tips that can lead to success for anyone interviewing for a project manager position:

1. Have a Plan and Know Your Strengths: You need to know what you’re good at and the skills you’ll need for this job. You have to emphasize them in your answers to the questions you will be asked when appropriate.

2. Do Your Homework: Research the company’s mission, their recent projects, and their company culture. This will help you answer the questions from those areas effective and show that you are committed to the company if they hire you. Focus and emphasize your experience that relates to the needs of the company.

3. Be Confident: It may sound silly but confidence is key during an interview. Smile, be attentive, and answer each question confidently even if you don’t know the answer!

Conclusion

The interview questions for project managers can be overwhelming and intimidating, but we’ve put together a list of the most common ones to help you prepare well for the interview.

This post also provides valuable tips to help you to effectively respond to questions at the interview and increase your chances of getting the project manager job that you desire.