Microsoft Project Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Microsoft interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Discovery
1. What types of projects do you have experience managing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are a wide variety of projects in flight at Microsoft at any given time. Projects may support internal stakeholders, external customers, or a mix of both. This question is asked to determine if a candidate's experience managing projects are in alignment with the type and scope of the typical projects the open role will support.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to discuss the scale of the projects you have led in addition to the stakeholders and business areas they supported. Some of the job postings for project manager positions provide specific budget and domain requirements, so it is important to demonstrate a background in alignment with the details of the role if possible.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current role, I am responsible for customer service-related projects. This has included projects aimed at improving operations within our call centers and projects focused on marketing and sales analytics. I work with stakeholders across various groups such as operations, sales, marketing, etcetera. The projects I have responsibility for are executed by cross-functional teams and affect our customer base which is currently over five hundred thousand people. The budgets of the projects I have responsibility for range from several hundred thousand to two million.
Prior to that, I worked as an IT project manager managing custom application development for enterprise customers. I mostly worked on finance, accounting, and HR solutions developed by smaller teams."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
2. What experience do you have with complex integration projects?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project managers may be responsible for leading the implementation of integrated solutions that affect many user groups or business functions. This question is asked to evaluate a candidate's ability to coordinate programs of work on this scale.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include any experience you have integrating with Microsoft products. Experience in this area may set you apart from other candidates interviewing for the same role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"As a senior business analyst, I developed the integration requirements and helped to drive the design for a solution that integrated a series of human resources onboarding solutions I was responsible for. The integration data layer helped to manage functions such as applicant tracking, approvals, security badge requests, application access and security, and termination rules.
As a program manager, I led a team that developed a data warehouse solution that held data about the product we sold to external clients. I oversaw multiple projects to integrate external client systems with our data warehouse. We use Microsoft Azure services to manage the data transfer jobs in most cases."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
3. Microsoft solutions sometimes require partnership with third parties. What vendor selection experience do you have?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is asked by interviewers who anticipate the need for a project manager to drive or participate in the selection of solution components that will be purchased. Vendor selection efforts can be complex and lengthy initiatives. It can be essential for a candidate to have experience in the main phases involved.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include all of the deliverables you were responsible for managing such as RFP, RFI, RFQ, etcetera. Also, mention any work you did to compare vendors such as scorecard development and review.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have led vendor selection initiatives for large and quick-hit solutions. I have experience facilitating the business requirement discussions, researching potential vendors, developing RFI and RFP documents, facilitating presentations, developing a scorecard to compare vendors, and serving as a technical subject matter expert during contract negotiation."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
4. What experience do you have leading project managers?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some project managers at Microsoft are senior and are responsible for assigning work, providing guidance, and the assessing performance of resources working in project management roles. This question is asked to determine if a candidate has experience leading or managing within this domain.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include any experience you have coaching or mentoring others in project management if you were not directly responsible for the quality of their work. This level of experience is common for project managers who are in the process of transitioning to a more senior role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last job I was a program manager and I was responsible for mentoring and setting the work direction of two project managers. Additionally, I was responsible for the project-related feedback on their annual performance reviews.
We worked together to develop high-level strategies and met regularly to discuss resource needs, customer issues, and challenges. The PMs I managed came to me for the escalation of any project-related issues, and I met with their executive stakeholders regularly to ensure we collectively provided excellent customer service."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
5. What skills do you have that align well with the project manager role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project managers come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about the specific skills a candidate has that will potentially add value to Microsoft, the products they develop, and the customers they serve.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a mix of both hard and soft skills within your answer. Consider aspects of the role such as leadership, communication, analysis, and customer relationship management. Also, be sure to only include skills that will add value to your work as a project manager. For example, you may have graphic design skills, but they are likely to add little value to a project manager role supporting Microsoft data center operations.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I worked as an analyst prior to becoming a project manager. My time spent in that role helped me to understand how businesses and customers operate at a detailed level. I lean on those skills often as a project manager as they help me to solve complex business issues.
I have also worked in various customer service roles over the years. I am adept at listening to my clients, understanding their needs, and delivering valuable solutions to them. I am empathetic and passionate about ensuring they feel supported and valued. My skills in this area are applicable whether I am working with internal stakeholders or external clients."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
6. What do you enjoy the most about project management?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
It is important to align new hires with roles that hold the potential for enjoyment and growth. This question is asked in a Microsoft project management interview to identify what motivates a candidate and whether the role would properly fulfill their needs.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to use this question as an opportunity to highlight your strengths. For example, a former analyst might mention that they love that the project manager role allows them to grow professionally while allowing them to analyze complex business scenarios from a new perspective.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoy the leadership and facilitation opportunities that project management provides the most. I am working to grow my leadership skills and being a PM allows me to work with various roles and personalities that require different approaches to leadership. As a facilitator, I enjoy the opportunity to bridge various groups together. Bening a PM affords me the opportunity to learn about various business functions and client operations and help them see from each other's perspective."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
7. Describe an operational improvement you delivered that had a significant financial impact.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many projects drive operational efficiencies and cost savings. This question may be included in a Microsoft interview to understand the scale of change the implementations a candidate was involved in had on this area of their client's business.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to focus your answer on an improvement you were directly involved in. Some operational changes that affect a project are a result of business decisions that occur outside of the scope of a project. It is better to select a scenario you or your team created and implemented directly.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I worked on a project to automate several resource management functions. Our main client was responsible for all of the management reporting, payroll, and billing functions. They had a system that held all of their resource assignment and cost data within it. The reporting functionality within it was obsolete and the operations team spent roughly 60% of their working time a month pulling data from the system, consolidating it in Excel, and running calculations and pivot tables in order to develop the dashboard reporting they needed for executives.
They would ask my team constantly to run queries for them and it took time away from the development of the project work I managed. I did some research and found that Tableau had the ability to generate over 85% of the executive reporting functions they needed. Additionally, the tool would be easy for my team to support because the operations team could generate their own reports once we set up a data feed.
For the price of a few Tableau licenses, we saved over $30k support time each year. We also cut their team's reporting and analysis time in half in the first year. They were also able to reduce their freelance headcount. Additionally, the executives of the group were able to learn some Tableau basics and gather answers to their own questions on the fly. This helped them to make quick data-driven decisions resulting in operational improvements and cost savings as well."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
8. What does the budget for a typical project you currently manage look like?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The budgets for projects at Microsoft vary. Interviewers ask this question to ensure that the candidate they select has experience managing projects with budgets on the same scale as the projects they will be assigned if hired for the role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include the budgetary information for the various types of resources involved in the projects you have managed. Interviewers are interested to know the budgets for resources such as employees, contingent resources, vendor resources, equipment, services, and support.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I currently manage internal operational improvement projects that last anywhere from six months to a year. The budget for my team ranges from 500 thousand to one million depending on the length of the engagement. Additionally, I manage 200-400 thousand in contract resources. Some projects include purchases for equipment or other physical resources and that number varies each time. Also, I have recently managed several projects that lean on SaaS solutions, and I manage the budget for that as well. We spend $650,000 annually for service on that."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
9. Do you have experience leading technology development projects? If so, can you describe the types of projects and the functions you performed.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many Microsoft project managers coordinate or lead technology solution development initiatives. Interviewers ask this question to determine a candidate's level of experience in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the roles you had responsibility over in your role as a technology project manager. Some Microsoft project manager roles specifically require experience managing cross-functional technology teams. It is important to offer a sense of the breadth of management experience you have in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am currently a project manager for a financial services SasS product. I manage projects to develop features for the API and mobile functions of our product.
I manage a cross-functional team that includes product managers, systems analysts, engineers, and quality assurance analysts. I am also responsible for coordinating the work of shared resources such as architects, database administrators, support analysts, support engineers, and consultants as needed."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
10. What project management tools have you used in the past?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Candidates may be asked this question in an interview to determine if they have experience in alignment with the tools that their potential team at Microsoft uses to manage projects, teams, and budgets. Advanced understanding of these types of solutions is often considered nice to have and may set a candidate apart from another without expertise in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include any experience you have administrating the tools in your answer. Activities like queue administration, workflow definition, or other advanced administration experience demonstrate that your knowledge goes beyond a basic user-level understanding of the tools you have used.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I used MS Project early in my project management career. Most recently, I have used Wrike, Jira, and Monday. I prefer each of them over MS Project as the collaborative features are a better fit for my teams and my needs as a project manager and a program manager.
I was involved in the initial implementations of Wrike and Jira for my teams. I worked to help align the tools properly with our workflows and defined the attributes of information we needed to track. I also helped to customize the reporting at the team and program levels."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Discovery
11. What training or certifications do you have that you can apply directly as a Microsoft project manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Microsoft project manager roles do not always require certification in the various areas that add value to project management, but they are listed as preferred qualifications. Interviewers ask this question to identify candidates that match their preferences and are likely to have advanced knowledge of industry standards and best practices.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to make the status of your certifications clear during an interview. Candidates that are not upfront about the status of expired certifications may be perceived as dishonest and excluded from additional interviews.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have current PMP, business analyst, and ITIL certifications. I have also studied lean practices, but I am not yet Six Sigma certified. All of these areas of study are directly applicable to my work as a project manager."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
12. What do you typically include in your project closeout process?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project closeout activities help to define metrics, distribute resources, and ensure closeout occurs in a timely manner. Microsoft project managers are responsible for the management of closeout and interviewers ask this question to test a candidate's general knowledge of this important set of activities.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include the process of reflection within your response. Reflection meetings are a valuable way to gather feedback, resolve lingering conflicts, and define how a team will improve going forward. Additionally, project managers often reflect with their clients or stakeholders to ensure all goals were met, tie up loose ends and resolve any customer service issues that may exist.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"It can depend on the type of project, but there are several standard activities I include. I ensure that all deliverables are complete and have been handed off to the client or stakeholders. I gather the numbers for the final spend and update the financial tracking accordingly. I work to ensure the resources I am working with are free and transitioned to whatever comes next for them. I also update any project management software I am using to indicate that the final stages are complete.
In addition to the administrative work, I hold a client or stakeholder meeting to gather feedback and ensure tie-up loose ends. I also hold a reflection meeting with the internal team to discuss our success and any commitments we need to make for improvement."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
13. What are some of the ways you keep costs as low as possible on the projects you manage?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Financial responsibility is an important aspect of project management. Microsoft interviewers ask this question to identify candidates with a clear understanding of the various strategies used to manage costs.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to discuss a mix of team and stakeholder-based strategies within your response. Effective cost management includes properly managing expectations while simultaneously monitoring the efforts of your teammates.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"The specific strategy of cost management can depend on the project methodology. However, I lean on three main strategies to keep costs low regardless of the method we use. These include using previous work and work from other teams to benchmark and refine estimates, setting clear expectations with my stakeholders, and looking for opportunities for reuse or cost savings during the course of a project."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
14. What methods do you lean on to perform root cause analysis?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Understanding the root cause of a problem with a product or an operational issue is imperative to resolving it and avoiding it in the future. Project managers at Microsoft engage in this type of analysis often to help resolve team, operational, and product-related problems. This question is asked to test a candidate's ability to perform this function of the role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to mention any of the widely accepted methodologies for root cause analysis within your response. While an interviewer may be able to follow your description of a custom method, interviewers value candidates that have a solid working knowledge of industry-accepted methods.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have used a variety of root cause analysis methods in the past. They each have their place, and I customize the approach to fit the situation. Most commonly, I use the 5 whys method. It is easy to follow, and all of the members of my team can apply it. I also like to apply the Pareto principle when it makes sense. In my experience, the root cause of an issue is usually multi-faceted, and narrowing the causes down to those that have the most impact is a valuable exercise."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
15. What are the primary responsibilities of a project manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Microsoft hires project manager candidates that have a solid grasp of project management-related knowledge. Interviewers ask this question to test a candidate's basic conceptual understanding of the functions they would be required to perform in the project manager role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to consider the responsibilities a project manager has prior to the start of a project as well as in a post-launch period. Additionally, remember to include customer and stakeholder relationship building and team development responsibilities.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"Generally speaking, a project manager is responsible for project definition, scoping, estimation, and securing resources before a project begins. During execution, a project manager is responsible for overseeing the various phases such as design, development, implementation, and post-launch. They handle cost control, progress tracking, and change management.
Throughout the entire project lifecycle, project managers are responsible for communication with stakeholders and customers. They handle escalation and work to resolve issues. Additionally, they help to facilitate success at a team-level by removing roadblocks, mentoring, collaborating to resolve complex problems, suggesting operational improvements, and addressing conflicts."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
16. What are some of the ways you would ensure the members of your team have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project managers at Microsoft are responsible for ensuring the members of their project teams have the knowledge necessary to perform the duties they are assigned. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate has the experience necessary to assess knowledge gaps within their teams.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include proactive strategies to help the members of your team stay ahead of the curve from a skill and knowledge perspective. Interviewers value candidates that work to understand their client's future needs and prepare resources accordingly.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I use several strategies to ensure the members of my teams have the knowledge and skills necessary for success. First, I like to work with each member individually to find out where they would like to grow professionally. If their growth needs require training, I partner with their management to plan accordingly. Otherwise, I brainstorm a strategy to gather the information they need while making sure their current project commitments are met.
Secondly, I work with the leaders on my teams that represent the other domains such as analysis or engineering to see if we have any knowledge gaps when we are planning for a specific project. If there is a gap, we develop a strategy to gather and disseminate the necessary knowledge.
Thirdly, I like to look ahead and work with program managers or senior leaders to understand the roadmaps and long-term needs of our clients. I then work with my team members to take advantage of any opportunities we have to proactively gain the knowledge and skills we know we will need prior to the start of a project. This helps to reduce delays and it gives my teammates time to get comfortable with new skills before they have to actively use them on a project."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
17. What is the difference between business, functional, and technical requirements?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Requirements drive how solutions are scoped, developed, implemented, and supported. Interviewers ask this question to ensure a candidate has a solid grasp on the three main types of requirements they are often expected to help gather and ensure the successful delivery of.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include an easy-to-understand example of each requirement type. Offer a simple scenario and break it down through all three levels.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"Business requirements describe business objectives. They outline the details of what a business must be able to do. Functional requirements define the functions that a solution should be able to perform. Technical requirements define how a solution will be developed.
For example, let's say a business has an objective to allow customers to purchase products easily. They desire to allow purchase through their website. Those are business requirements. There would then be a resulting set of functional requirements for a web page that allows customers to enter their credit card information. Additionally, there would be technical requirements describing the process for processing payments, updating inventory, and updating the various integrated financial systems accordingly."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
18. Describe a method for performing an impact assessment.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Determining the impact of potential changes is a key responsibility of project managers at Microsoft. This question may be asked in an interview to gain insight into a candidate's process for analyzing the impact of changes to their project, customer, or product.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include the aspects of your impact assessment process that rely on intuition and experience in addition to data-driven processes. The experience and feelings of a project manager can be an important factor when developing a strategy from the results of an impact analysis effort.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"The first thing I would do is brainstorm a list of impact areas to be assessed. For example, I might consider financial impact, customer satisfaction, resource time, the frequency in which something occurs, the number of affected clients or users, etc. I would assign a weight to each of these impact areas depending on the relative importance of the area to the client and business I am working with.
Next, I would develop an easy-to-use scale to rate each assessment item in terms of impact. A typical scale would be a high-low scale in which I use the numbers 1-10. I would rate the items myself or facilitate a stakeholder session to rate the items. Using a simple formula, I would then calculate the overall impact of each item.
I would consider adjustments to the scores based on my previous experience and intuition as well as the experience and feelings of the other subject matter experts involved. I would then develop a recommendation with strategic and tactical guidance supported by the impact analysis."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
19. How do you approach communication with senior leaders?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project managers at Microsoft are sometimes asked to provide project updates to executives and senior stakeholders. Interviewers may ask this question to determine how a candidate will approach these important conversations.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to demonstrate a style that is clear and honest. Interviewers appreciate candidates that respect authority and show integrity in their approach.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"In general, my communication style is direct. I use a clear and easy-to-understand approach. I offer summary-level details and I am prepared to back my assertions up with data and examples as necessary. I try not to spend extra time communicating details for items I am able to handle on my own so that my time with seniors is reserved for the valuable insight they can provide in areas that need support.
I face difficult conversations head-on and go in prepared with solution recommendations. I take any feedback that results from these meetings and work hard to incorporate it into my approach for future initiatives. I find the combination of integrity paired with quick and consistent action creates a strong partnership over time with the senior-level stakeholders, managers, and customers I am accountable to."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
General
20. What is the difference between program management and project management?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Microsoft employs both program managers and project managers. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate understands the differences between the scale and responsibilities of these two roles.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to provide a comparison of the roles across various aspects such as scale, impact, focus, timeline, and task responsibilities. It is helpful to explain the difference for each point of comparison as opposed to offering a complete description of one role, and then comparing them.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"At the highest level, program managers typically have a wider range of focus and responsibility than project managers. While there may be a crossover, the difference is usually a matter of scale and responsibility.
Program managers are strategic and monitor multiple projects and workstreams at a time. Project managers follow the strategic guidance they are given and ensure the success of individual projects through the coordination of work.
Program managers have a long-term focus on work for an area of business, or a portfolio of products they are responsible for. Project managers typically focus more on short-term projects and may shift their focus across products or business areas as needed.
Program managers oversee standardization across projects and implement a strategy. They bridge integrated efforts together, track high-level metrics, and help to advise executive decisions. Project managers are focused on the day-to-day operations of a team and track project-specific metrics. They bridge the individual contributors within a specific team together.
Finally, program managers are typically responsible for deliverables such as strategic plans, roadmaps, and program ROI while project managers are responsible for items such as individual project plans, team performance metrics, and client-focused implementation communication."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Leadership
21. What is your leadership style?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project manager roles at Microsoft require leadership skills. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate's specific leadership approach is a fit for the teams they will work with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe a leadership style that is a blend of various approaches. For example, a program manager should have the ability to act as a coach and as a performance-focused leader depending on the situation.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am a hybrid leader. My approach involves using my intuition and experience to deploy the right style at the right time with the right people. My default style is a combination of visionary and motivational leadership. I like to inspire others to reach beyond our given goals and offer guidance when I see an opportunity for improvement. I enjoy helping others find what they are great at and fully utilize their gifts in a team setting.
I am also a servant leader. I work hard to protect my teams so that they can stay focused on their important work. I do whatever I can to remove roadblocks and set them up to be successful. I am willing to jump in on any task at any time when it makes sense. I feel strongly that demonstrating that no task is too small and doing whatever needs to be done, at any time, helps foster wellness within a team."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Leadership
22. Describe some of the behaviors you leverage to foster high-performance teams.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project managers at Microsoft are often assigned to leadership roles of gifted and talented individuals. Interviewers who ask this question seek leaders that can inspire their teams to perform their best and collaborate well.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include more than one style of inspirational or leadership behavior in your response. Interviewers are interested in hiring candidates with the ability to deploy various techniques that align with the unique members of each team they work with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I use a number of techniques to inspire performance within a team. First, I believe it is wrong to ask my teammates to do anything I am unwilling to do myself. I continually monitor my own contributions, I own my mistakes, and I take steps to improve. If we have a superstar performer on the team, I look to match their pace. If not, I set the bar myself.
Secondly, I like to ask individuals what motivates them and what type of environment they thrive in. I use the information I gather to change up the approach I take so that there is a solid fit for everyone over time. This may include things like offering praise for a job well done, developing challenges or milestones to meet, introducing new things to learn, continual progress checks, taking a hands-off approach, protecting the team from outside influences, team building activities, time off rewards, etc.
Finally, I like to meet with my team regularly to discuss openly what is working well and what we need to improve upon. I ensure them that we have those conversations in a comfortable way in which everyone understands we are accountable for success as a team. Taking the time to discuss issues and develop a plan to avoid them in the future really helps to clear the air and inspire continual transformation."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Leadership
23. How would you help to develop a positive team environment within the teams you work on?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The vibe of a team is important. While it is impossible to maintain constant positive energy, Microsoft values candidates that can assist their teams in addressing challenges and conflicts to maintain a balance and a favorable team environment.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a method for honoring and validating negative experiences in your response. It is expected that conflict and frustration will occur in team settings. Asking others to ignore their feelings in favor of positivity generates inauthenticity and additional conflict. Interviewers value candidates that have the ability to facilitate discussions about negative situations and inspire others to balance their perspectives by finding positive and valuable opportunities alongside the unpleasant aspects.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am naturally a positive person, and I prefer to lead by example in this area. I like to smile and laugh, and I try to incorporate those behaviors in a team setting in a workplace-appropriate way. I also recognize that challenges and struggles are real. In a team setting, I strive to validate the concerns of others and not look the other way simply because something has a negative aspect to it. Instead, I inspire trust in others by being honest about how I am feeling and then balancing those feelings by exploring the positive aspects of the situation simultaneously. I find this to be an authentic approach that generates more positive energy than simply ignoring the negative and always painting everything in a positive light.
I take the same approach when brainstorming or imagining future outcomes with my teams. The future is what we come together to create, and while there may be risks or issues, we always have the opportunity to add value. I like to remind my teams of this when we are in a tough spot. I also like to encourage everyone to enjoy the easier times to the fullest. This includes facilitating social activities or just checking in on each other regularly to see how we can be of service to each other."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
24. Imagine you are assigned to manage the delivery of a series of solutions for an at-risk account. What are the first steps you would take?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Project managers are sometimes called upon to save at-risk implementations from failure. Interviewers who ask this question want to ensure the candidate they select understands how to properly navigate this difficult scenario.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to demonstrate humility and wisdom in your response. Interviewers may eliminate a candidate that indicates they would participate in gossiping about the previously assigned teams, or lack sensitivity to all of the parties involved in their approach.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"The first thing I do when I am assigned to step into an at-risk situation is meet with the internal team that was previously involved to understand the history of the situation from their perspective. I listen neutrally because I understand there are often multiple sides and factors involved.
The second thing I do is reach out to the clients personally. If possible, I like to do this in person. I ask them to be as honest as possible and let me know what has happened and what their concerns are. I do not challenge their feelings or experiences even if I have information from the other side that discounts their opinions. I demonstrate empathy, and if appropriate, I apologize for any painful experiences they have had on behalf of my company. From there, I try to explain my experience in working in situations like these at a high level. I find this can help to begin to build confidence and trust.
The last initial step I would take is to develop a specific tactical action plan to begin to alleviate their concerns and demonstrate progress. This may include offering some sort of good faith service, or ensuring a set of action items is completed. I follow through on those commitments as quickly as possible and then take whatever steps are necessary to get the project back to where it needs to be."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
25. At Microsoft, we strive to earn customer confidence, trust, and loyalty. What are some of the ways you feel you will be able to contribute to that goal as a project manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many project managers at Microsoft perform customer service-related functions. Interviewers who ask this question are interested in a candidate's ability to demonstrate the soft skills necessary to provide the level of service required by the role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include outreach activities beyond common support processes such as ticket resolution procedures to demonstrate your customer service skills. Microsoft seeks candidates who consistently go beyond what is required in a client setting and want to know what unique value you can add to the customer experience.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"One of the most important things I can do to earn customer confidence, trust, and loyalty is to show end-to-end ownership for the projects I work on. I let my customers know they can reach out to me to let me know about anything going on, even if I am not directly responsible. They know they can count on me to help facilitate a solution on their behalf.
I also take the time to listen. Sometimes clients just need to be heard and offering them an outlet to vent with someone who shows empathy and concern goes a long way. I maintain their confidence as needed and quickly address their concerns. I treat all of my customers with respect and show them that they are valued."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
26. What steps do you take to identify post-engagement opportunities with a client?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some Microsoft project managers serve on the front line of the project they deliver. They often own client communication and interviewers are interested to know how a candidate would identify opportunities to generate additional revenue.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe activities beyond those focused on revenue generation. Microsoft values relationship building and offering excellent customer service. Interviewers appreciate candidates that can demonstrate a balanced and holistic approach to the post-launch process.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"The first step I take in a post-engagement setting is to hold regular check-ins with my client to ensure their solution adoption experience is running smoothly. I take the time to listen to their stories and determine if there is anything I can do to add value. This might include scheduling additional training or assisting with configuration changes.
After some time has passed, I check in again to see how things are going and determine if any add-on opportunities exist. Clients often wish to expand their feature sets after a successful initial launch, and I work with them to develop a strategy for the next phase of their use in other areas of their company. I also review any issues they are having to determine if there is anything we can do for them from a customer support perspective. I am usually able to uncover a few opportunities that take just a bit of effort on our part but go a long way toward customer satisfaction.
Finally, I make sure to update our internal teams on any lessons I learn when working with specific clients. Developing best practices and honoring client preferences helps to ensure that future engagements go more smoothly."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
27. Describe your process for learning how to use a new application in the workplace.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Microsoft interviewers ask questions like these to gain insight into a candidate's thought process behind various tasks. This question tests a candidate's ability to demonstrate a systematic approach to learning something new.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to begin your process with various activities you can do on your own. Microsoft interviewers value candidates that are self-starters and those who know how to leverage information that is readily available.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"My first step in learning a new application would be to ask around to see if there is any documentation such as a quick reference guide available. Likewise, I would look within the application to see if there are tutorials, training guides, or automated help functions, and I would review those.
I would use what I learned and navigate through the application on my own as best I could. If there was a training or test environment to learn in, I would take advantage of that. From there, I would have a list of questions prepped and ready. I would schedule time with a subject matter expert or a peer to ask them to walk me through the functions I need guidance on."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
28. At Microsoft, we ask our project managers to learn the business of their clients. How would you approach this aspect of the role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Microsoft hires candidates who are passionate about their products and goals for supporting the world through technology. Interviewers ask this question to ensure a candidate has a strategy to extend their passion into subject matter expertise that will help them successfully lead their assigned projects.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to discuss a variety of information-gathering strategies within your response. You may consider including research, interviews, observation, and shadowing. Also, be sure to mention a strategy for gathering domain expertise in areas that impact your projects externally such as learning about competitors or the business partners that support operations or solutions within your area of focus.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"The first step I would take to develop domain expertise is to gather up any available documentation or research materials I could walk through on my own. I would use this as a framework to drive rich conversations with the various experts I would be working with. From there, I would meet with the subject matter experts and senior leaders in each of the client areas I have responsibility for. I would ask them questions about the history of the projects and products and for their take on upcoming and long-term needs.
I would also spend time attending team meetings. I would observe and gather detailed information about the current happenings on the team. This would build my product and business expertise as well as my knowledge about the individuals working within my team.
I would shadow the customers or users of any of the solutions my projects impact. This would help me gather information on how they use the products, what they feel adds value, and what they need going forward.
Finally, I would do research online to learn about competitor products and the solutions available from Microsoft's business partners. This would help me to better understand the external factors that affect my projects."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
29. Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality due to budgetary, resource, or time constraints.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Microsoft interviewers understand constraints and the need to make concessions when delivering technology solutions. They ask this question to determine how a candidate ensures that the sacrifices made are intelligently selected based on need and value.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include the details of how you supported a client through a difficult situation due to constraints. Interviewers understand that the outcome of the situation was less than optimal, but are interested in hiring candidates that add value and offer excellent customer service even when options are limited.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"A team I managed developed a strategy for a phased approach to improving the data entry and calculation for a multi-step workflow that had too many touchpoints that resulted in errors. We implemented the first round of improvements based on their frequency of use and the impact they had on the business overall when the manual pieces of the process were handled incorrectly.
My team and I delivered several successful features and then the executive management within the business paused the project to shift resources to a need they perceived as more important. This change in direction left a portion of my users leveraging a half-developed solution that was painful and not what was originally promised. I worked with their management to shift resources to provide additional support during peak business times. Additionally, I asked the analysts on my team to provide extra reporting and query support. Eventually, our development team was able to circle back around and deliver the entire solution as it was originally designed. Our customers appreciated our commitment to customer service during this difficult time."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Situational
30. At Microsoft, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees. How would you contribute to this value in your role as a project manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many companies are interested to know how candidates will work to create a comfortable and inclusive work environment. An interviewer at Microsoft may ask this question to understand how a candidate plans to contribute to this important company concept.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Remember To
Remember to keep your answer focused on actions as opposed to political agendas. Interviewers are more interested in how you can help your team thrive and contribute to the goals of your projects and the Microsoft departments you will support.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think enabling belonging for everyone starts with getting to know the people on your teams and understanding what inclusion means to them personally. In my experience, the definition of inclusion can be different for everyone and what might leave one person feeling supported would leave someone else feeling alienated. I would use this information to develop a collective vision of belonging that could work at the team level while staying in alignment with the company's vision for this goal.
The execution of this would vary and be customized to match the individuals within the team, but the core values behind it would be shared. For example, embracing diversity might look and feel different from team to team, but every team should be able to appreciate the diversity of thought. I appreciate the differences individuals have to offer, but I would continually encourage my teams to fully explore the areas in which they are in alignment and connected as this sets the stage to more easily understand differences and resolve conflicts in the future."
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2022