Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives and a Project Manager is a professional in the field of project management. He or she is responsible for planning, executing, and closing any project. These projects can be related to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software development.
Given below are some common interview questions that come up again and again during interviews for the post of Project Manager.
1. What do you mean by project management?
Well, project management is a very broad field, it is an application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to plan and develop activities that are required to meet the project goals. It is the discipline of planning, organizing and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives.
2. Please elaborate the roles and responsibilities of a project manager?
A project manager has a very important position in any organization. The roles and responsibilities are very broad. He or she is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationship with project sponsors, accountable for the coordinating management of multiple related projects directed toward strategic business and other organizational objective, building credibility, establishing rapport, and maintaining communication with stakeholder at multiple levels. He is also liable for coaching, mentoring and leading personnel within a technical team environment.
3. Tell us how will you handle non-productive team members?
Being a project manager, it is my duty to make sure that the team’s output meets the performance requirements. If I find anyone unproductive or with weak skill set then I will definitely provide him or her training or coaching. I will talk to that person in a friendly manner and suggest him or her different ways for improving the productivity.
4. Please tell us how will you motivate team members who are burned out or bored?
Well, when my team members are in this situation, I provide them new challenges and performance targets. I even offer them incentives for reaching certain goals. I also shuffle them around to refresh them.
It is very important to be prepared for an interview. During the entire course of an interview, you may be asked various questions. Just one bad answer can stand out and cost you the job. So prepare well before appearing for an interview. Do not forget to say “Thank you” to the people who interviewed you.