How to Answer the Most Common Project Management Interview Questions

So you’ve secured an interview for that project management position you recently applied for. Congratulations! Your next priority is to nail the interview — and we’re here to help by showing you how to answer some of the most commonly asked junior or senior project management interview questions.

Of course, if you already have experience as a project manager, then you have an idea of what to expect from the interview, especially when it comes to behavioral or scenario-based interview questions. But even if you’re new to the project manager title, you still have some relevant experience that qualifies you for the role — otherwise, you wouldn’t have been selected to move on to the interview stage.

In that case, it’s simply a matter of framing your experience within a project management context and demonstrating that you understand the responsibilities and expectations of the position. And that’s exactly what we’re discussing here.

With that, let’s dive into the top project management interview questions and answers!

How to answer the most common project management interview questions

1. What are the most important skills and qualities a project manager needs to be successful?

Ultimately, the most important skill a project manager needs is the ability to drive a project to completion, on time and on budget . While that sounds simple enough, it actually entails multiple qualities, including:

Of course, a good interview response requires more than just rattling off a list of desirable traits. What’s most important is that you understand — and communicate to the interviewer — why these skills and attributes are important to the project management position.

For instance, communication skills are necessary in order for the project manager to effectively interact with all vested parties, from team members to managers to executives and everyone in between. Critical thinking, decision making, and adaptability are crucial for steering a project through challenges or disruptions that may arise during the project life cycle.

2. What’s your communication style and how does it differ between team members, stakeholders, vendors, etc.?

In order to effectively communicate with everyone involved in or affected by a project, project managers need to adapt both the message and the communication style to the individual’s needs. For example, stakeholders will want the broad strokes of the project and its timelines. Team members, on the other hand, will need much greater levels of detail.

No matter what style the situation calls for, all communication ultimately needs to be documented — preferably in a project management tool that all parties can access and receive notifications from regarding relevant updates. This not only provides visibility on a project’s chain of events but also allows information to be clarified or supplemented as necessary.

3. Tell me about a challenging project and how you managed it.

Because the interviewer expects you to anticipate this question, they’re also expecting you to have a well-thought-out response at the ready. In fact, the only way to get this question wrong is to fail to prepare for it.

Remember: Even if you’ve never held the title of project manager before, you have some relevant experience that you can frame in the context of the question. Once you’ve identified an appropriate situational example , construct your response using the following formula:

4. How do you know when a project is off-track, and what steps do you take to get it back on schedule?

As the project manager, it’s your responsibility to understand the project’s overarching purpose and specific goals, monitor the creation of deliverables, and ensure the project adheres to the timelines set forth in the planning phase. If an element of the project hits a delay, you should know exactly what the issue is, how it’s being handled, and when it will be completed.

With that said, you’ll know a project is off-track if you don’t have a grasp on where the various elements are at any given time within the project life cycle. Naturally, challenges are going to arise during the course of a project, but the project manager should know exactly what’s going on and be able to deliver an accurate status report upon request.

Utilizing a project management solution that allows real-time work visibility, efficient resource management , and customizable automated workflows will empower you as the project manager and help you easily stay on top of multiple projects from beginning to end.

5. How do you manage team members who aren’t working to their full potential?

Oftentimes, team members who aren’t meeting their full potential simply don’t feel a sense of ownership over their work. In these instances, it’s critical to empower the individual and give them a chance to prove you wrong — or, better yet, prove themselves right.

This can often be achieved through guided conversation in which you pose specific questions and allow the person to come to a solution on their own rather than simply giving directives and issuing demands. Even if you know the answer to the problem or have a vision for the deliverable in question, team members are typically much more enthusiastic to execute on ideas they feel they own rather than those being imposed upon them.

Remember: The project manager’s job is not to be the shining star but to lift the entire team up and drive it to a collective win.

6. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made while managing a project?

Here again, it’s important to have an honest answer prepared for this question. Every project manager has made a mistake at some point along the way. To say anything different not only seems disingenuous but also reflects an inflated ego. Your interviewer wants to see that you have the ability to self-reflect and assess mistakes or weaknesses and that you have the integrity to own and admit them.

One common project management mistake is not spending enough time in the planning phase . Sometimes, upper management and/or executives can get hyper-focused on execution and rush through planning. In these instances, it’s critical for the project manager to hold the line and ensure they are crystal clear on the plan for every aspect of the project. As the project manager, you’re setting yourself up for failure if you lack clarity coming out of the planning phase and into the execution and monitoring stages.

7. What project management tools and software do you prefer and why?

Without an effective system or suite of tools to help you plan, monitor, and report on projects, you’ll struggle as a project manager. With this question, the interviewer will get an idea of your familiarity with project management software as well as your processes and workflows.

Most project management tools will include a Gantt chart to help you map and plan every phase of a project, as well as scheduling , reporting, and document sharing functions. If you’re able to find out the specific project management systems and tools the company you’re interviewing with uses, it doesn’t hurt to study up on them and discuss how they compare with others you’ve used.

Now you’re ready to nail your next project management interview

As with any job interview, the key to a successful project management interview is preparation. You give yourself the best chance to impress your interviewer and land that new gig when you:

For a deeper dive into the basics of project management — including an overview of project management methodologies — be sure to check out our project management guide !