Introduce your self

Thank you very much for inviting me to be interviewed for this project manager position
today with your organization. Over the years I have built up extensive skills qualities
attributes and experience that I believe are a match for this job description. I am very
passionate about project
management I take my responsibilities seriously I am an exceptional communicator both in
writing and when speaking with project team members stakeholders and contractors and I’m
very good at building relationships with people because I believe to be effective as a project
manager you need to build strong relationships. I am also very good at working under
pressure to work with tight project deadlines. I also have in-depth knowledge and
understanding of the project life cycle and I understand how to apply different elements of it
to make sure all projects are completed on time and more importantly to specification and to
the required standards. Over the years I’ve worked in a variety of different roles managing
lots of different projects lots of different peoples and I always pride myself on making sure
that I achieve the commercial and financial objectives of my employer. Whenever I manage
the projects I will align them to your strategic vision and I plan to become an integral part of
your organization as a project manager thank you.

Tell me about a time when you failed

There was a situation in my previous position at work, when we were working on a project
and as a team member, I was overthinking of risk involved which delayed the project and
failed to meet the optimum results. I understand that being cautious is good but sometime
situation needs a quicker response but due to resources constrains I couldn’t proceed within
the timeline failing to achieve results. The experience gave me chance to take better measures
at the start of project to avoid similar scenarios in future.

Where do you ideally see yourself in five years?

In five years, I would love to be an industry expert that others can go to for ideas, help and
strategy. I’ve had amazing mentors and managers in my past positions, so I’d like to be able
to provide similar guidance, potentially taking on a leadership role.

Describe a situation where you overcame a challenge

I was working on a project with a client, and they wanted to add a certain feature to their
custom software that would put them over the allocated time. As the project manager, I
needed to decide whether we should add this feature and miss our deadline or spend less time
on another part of the project.

I met with my team to understand how much time it would take to add the feature. Once I had
a very thorough answer for the client, I presented them with the options. They decided that
they would accept a later deadline for the feature. We ended up delivering the finished
product a month later than the original deadline, but the client was happy with the outcome.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is understanding your own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of the team,
then leveraging individual strengths to compensate for individual weaknesses and overcome
insurmountable challenges. It is recognizing that a team is more than the sum of its parts, and
people work best when they work together.

Tell us about a time when you demonstrated leadership skills.

In my last position, we created a new dress code policy, and I was asked to enforce it as the
supervisor. My approach was to discuss the new policy, clearly outline what new clothing
items were acceptable and provide a deadline for when the policy went into full effect. I also
listened to any concerns my team had about whether the new dress code would be
comfortable enough to work in.

Handling disagreement
In my last role, two of my team members had different approaches to completing their part of
the project. I let each side explain what their thought process was and what benefits they saw
in their method. I encouraged respectful discussion and positive commentary. After each side
outlined their arguments, I helped them brainstorm the ways in which both arguments could
become a combined solution.

This process enabled these team members work together and see each other’s perspectives. It
also helped them remember that they both were working toward the same goal and should
collaborate on the best way to complete their tasks

Improve:
Leadership
Emotional Intelligence
Conflict resolution
Budgeting

Bring on board:
Decision making
Cultural Intelligence
Adaptability
Collaboration
Negotiation skills
Willingness to learn
Skills possessed, What is the most important quality you will bring to this organisation?

"A competent project manager would need to have numerous skills and attributes to be
successful. However, the most important ones in my opinion are planning and execution. As
a project manager, you are ultimately responsible for delivering the project on time and
within budget. The only way you can successfully achieve these goals is to plan thoroughly
and execute the delivery of your plan. If you fail in these two areas, the client or your
employer is let down, and the consequences can be far-reaching. Now, in addition to planning
effectively, and the thorough execution of the plan, you also need to communicate
effectively, both in writing and verbally. You need to have outstanding motivational skills, be
enthusiastic about the project yourself, have a flexible approach to working, be a great
negotiator, be unwavering in the
face of adversity and challenges, and also be confident in your own and your team's abilities.
I believe I have all of these skills and qualities and can be relied upon to deliver fantastic
results on budget and also on time."

"Describe the most challenging project you have worked on and why?"

"One particular project immediately springs to mind. I was managing a project for a client
who had specific requirements that continually changed. Now, every week, they would
change their mind on what they required, but I focused on completing the project
successfully, on budget and on time, whilst motivating my team. Now, the project was
particularly challenging because some members of my team did not like the client, and they
were threatening to quit because they kept changing their mind. I motivated my team
continually and listened to their concerns as and when they raised any issues. I found that by
communicating with my team regularly, it helped them to stay focused on the project. I did
decide actually to discuss tactfully my concerns with the client. I felt it was important to
communicate with them how their indecision could potentially have a negative impact on the
project. Now, whilst I assured them the project would be delivered, I felt it was my
responsibility to inform them of the potential negative impact their indecision could have on
the overall result. Now, they took on board my comments, which was great, and my
suggestions, and they thanked me for my honest feedback. The end result was that the project
was delivered on time and to the satisfaction of the client. Now, at the end of the project, I
conducted a meeting with my team members, and we all discussed what we had learned from
the project, so that we could improve for next time. I always find an honest and open
approach to managing projects works really well."

"Describe your communication style during the management of a project.

"My style of communication is always open, honest and encouraging. I believe that, by
having an open and encouraging style of communication, my team will discuss with me any
issues and potential problems, which will in turn allow us to deliver the project on time and to
specification. Now of course, there are times when a limited communication style is required,
especially when we are operating to an extremely tight deadline. However, wherever
possible, I always encourage open, honest and frank discussions where the
team feel they can communicate with me at any time."

"How do you motivate a team during a project?"

"I would motivate my team in three ways. First of all, through a thorough brief at the start of
the project. Secondly, by laying out the required standards of the project from the get-go. And
thirdly, by communicating with them and also supporting them periodically throughout the
project duration. Now, I feel a thorough brief at the start of the project, that lays out the plan
and key tasks is essential. Now, if everyone knows their role within the project, then it's far
more likely to be a success, and the team will feel motivated throughout. Now, also by setting
out the required standard and expectations at the start, none of the team members will have
any cause to complain or feel demotivated. Now, clear lines of communication and
expectations are essential to motivating a team. Finally, by speaking with the team
throughout the project, and also offering words of encouragement and support, each team
member will feel valued, which is a key driver to delivering a successful project."

"How would you delegate responsibility during a very important project

"Now, one of the most important things with regards to delegation is to know your team's key
strengths and weaknesses. That is why it's important to get to know your team inside out as
soon as possible. Now, if you know your team well, you should not have a problem
delegating tasks. To specifically answer your question though, I would draw up a list of tasks
that needed to be delegated during the planning phase of the project, before identifying which
team members should carry out each particular task, based on their strengths. Now, once the
tasks were delegated, I would ensure each team member was fully aware of
the brief. I would also make sure they provided me with a situation report and update on a
periodic
basis. This would then allow me to benchmark against my plan, to ensure each task was
working towards delivering a successful project, on time and within budget. I would always
trust my team to deliver based on the fact I would be fully aware of their strengths and their
weaknesses."

"How would you ensure a project is delivered on time and within budget?"

"All projects I take control of are delivered by: proper planning, support during the execution
phase, and also by having a flexible approach to working. Now, the planning phase is always
done well in advance of the project start date, and this allows me to strategically plan for any
eventuality. I will always create a vision board during the planning phase, to identify the key
issues that could arise during the execution of the project. Now, this is important because it
then allows me to prepare in advance for any eventuality. Then, if something happens to
potentially put the project off track, it is not a surprise, because I have a contingency plan in
place to deal with it. Now, support during the execution is whereby I provide motivational
support to the team, and also look strategically for potential problems with the plan. This
allows me to foresee issues and deal with them properly. Finally, by having a flexible
approach to the project, you are not set in your ways and blinkered by your own thinking. It's
always important to listen to your team members and other stakeholders, as they may foresee
a better way of working that allows us to deliver the project more efficiently and cost
effectively."

"What is your strategy for working with an underperforming team member?"

"My strategy would be to use a three-step approach that has always worked for me in the past
whenever a situation like this arises, and that three step approach is: I identify the issue that is
affecting the team member. This would mean sitting down with the team member and getting
to the root of the problem. Obviously, knowledge is power, and if I understand what is
causing them to underperform, I can resolve the situation quickly. Now once I'd gathered the
information during step one, I could then put in place a coaching or development plan to help
them improve. If it is something in their home or personal life that is causing them problems,
I can create a plan for them based on their needs. However, if it is solely a performance-
related issue, I would put in a plan in place to help coach and develop them, and provide
additional training if required, while showing empathy if needed. I would then support them
for the required period of time, to ensure they got back on track with their performance. Now,
whatever the issue the team member had that was making them underperform, I would get to
the bottom of it really quickly. I'd support them, show empathy where appropriate, and put
them on track to get back to peak performance as soon as possible."

3. What does a typical relationship with your project sponsor look like?
Since I believe communication is the most important part of my job, I try to keep my sponsor
updated as much as possible. I try to have a weekly meeting with a project sponsor to deliver
updates. Should there be an occurrence outside of this meeting that requires their input, I will
contact them. The relationship depends on the sponsor, too. Sometimes I work with sponsors
that are busy and less involved. Others enjoy adding input and directly helping the project.

Of course, it also depends on the project. Sponsors for large, extended projects are very
invested in the process. If I have a smaller project, I may only want to have the sponsor
present for client meetings or if I encounter any major issues.

What sort of project management tools do you use?

I have primarily used Microsoft Project in the past, but my last organization used Basecamp,
which was great for team collaboration. Each stakeholder was able to add ideas to the online
board and select the best to address the issue or challenge at hand. I also use Trello for
managing the team's time and assign tasks

What escalation paths do you use? (challenging project) or failed

If I have the resources, knowledge and time to solve a problem with my immediate team, that
is my first course of action. If I feel the issue involves a sensitive matter, requires high-level
approval or I simply need additional input on my decided course of action, it is important for
me to work with my sponsor on solving the issue.
I was once working on a project where the sales team promised the client a feature our
program could not support. Ultimately, I had to involve the project sponsor. She agreed that it
was impossible to deliver the feature. It was a difficult conversation with the client, but we
managed to reach a compromise. We started working on a way to support the feature, and
will offer it to the client free of charge once it is ready

What project management methods do you use?

Since I have worked primarily on projects with the software industry, I have found the Agile
method works best for my projects. With Agile, I can create shorter delivery cycles so the
client can see my team's work and give us constructive feedback. It creates a more
collaborative environment where I can work to create goals with my team based on their
feedback.

I have also studied the Lean method in my own time and tried to incorporate some of it into
my style. I try to eliminate waste in time and budget in all of my projects and always find
ways to improve the process

Strength and weakness,

my strengths which I believe will be a benefit to your organization include the fact that as a
project manager I am commercially aware and I understand that my performance and the
performance of the team that I am managing is integral to the success of your business and I
will always work with you to make sure that all projects are completed on time and again to
the necessary specification and standard other strengths include the fact that I am a good
communicator I am good at dealing with people I am good at motivating people and I am a
very good leader and I take responsibility for things everything rests with me it's down to me
how a project goes and I will always be open to learning and improving so once a project is
finished I’ll always analyze a project to see where we went wrong or how we can improve for
next time and on that basis I am somebody who will always ensure high standards are
adhered to at all times other strengths include the fact that I have the ability to foresee
problems I’m very good at that so I have the experience to look ahead and think that could go
wrong that could hinder the progress of the project so let's take decisive action now let's put a
plan b in place to make sure that it doesn't affect us

In respect of my weakness I would say that I find it hard asking other people for help because
I’m the type of project manager who likes to be in control I have belief in my own abilities
and when a problem occurs I tend to spend time thinking right how can I resolve this and of
course sometimes the simple solution would be to pick up the phone speak to somebody else
in the organization to get their advice and guidance but having said that another strength of
mind is the fact that I am always open to learning and improving and I am trying to be more
mindful in situations like that whenever they do occur.