Project Manager Interview Questions

Craft an insightful interview for a healthcare data analyst with our guide. We provide you with characteristics to look for, how to interview, and the questions to ask for the best new healthcare data analyst hires.

Hiring the best project manager is crucial for the success of any project. A skilled project manager has the ability to plan, organize, and execute tasks effectively, ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. They also have the necessary leadership skills to motivate and guide team members toward achieving the project goals.

A great project manager can anticipate and mitigate potential risks and handle any unexpected challenges that may arise during the project. Ultimately, investing in the best project manager can save time and money, increase productivity, and ensure the successful completion of a project.

To help your hiring team identify and extend an offer to the best project manager candidate fast, we compiled a quick list of best practices and interview questions.

Jump to the interview questions ▼

What to Look for in a project manager

Strong leadership skills: A good project manager should be able to motivate and guide team members toward achieving project goals.
Excellent communication skills: Communication is key to any successful project. A project manager who can communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and clients is essential.
Excellent organizational skills: A project manager should be able to plan, organize, and execute tasks effectively, ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.
Flexibility and adaptability: Projects can be unpredictable, and a project manager who can think on their feet and make quick decisions is a valuable asset.
Problem-solving skills: A project manager should be able to anticipate and mitigate potential risks and handle any unexpected challenges that may arise during the project.
Attention to detail: A project manager who pays close attention to details ensures that all project requirements are met and nothing is overlooked.
Ability to work well under pressure: Projects can be stressful, and a project manager who can remain calm and focused under pressure is essential.

How to Interview a project manager

When interviewing a project manager candidate, it is important to ask the right questions to gain insight into their skills, experience, and work style early in the screening process. Ask open-ended questions that allow the candidate to elaborate on their responses. Ask behavioral questions that reveal their experience leading and managing projects, how they handle conflict resolution, and their problem-solving skills.

Ask for specific examples of projects they have managed and ask them to describe their process for planning, executing, and closing a project. It is also important to ask questions that assess the candidate’s soft skills, such as their communication style and their ability to work with different personalities.

Best Types of Questions to Ask project managers

Here are a few good questions to ask a project manager candidate in an interview:

Can you describe your project management experience and the types of projects you have managed?
What is your approach to project planning and how do you ensure that a project stays on track?
How do you handle conflicts or difficult situations that arise during a project?
Can you describe a time when a project did not go as planned and how you handled it?
How do you ensure that all stakeholders are kept informed and up-to-date on the project’s progress?
How do you handle changes to project scope or requirements?
How do you ensure that a project is delivered on time and within budget?
Can you describe your leadership style and how you motivate team members?
How do you measure the success of a project?
Can you provide an example of a project that you are particularly proud of and why?