29 IT Project Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our IT Project Manager interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 15 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What is one word you would use to describe the role of an IT project manager, and why?
How to Answer
This is a typical question an interviewer will ask you early in the interview. The purpose of this question is to get you talking, learn more about your background, and collect information they can use throughout the interview. It also provides them with an idea of your approach to project management. You should select a word that best describes you and aligns with the role for which they are interviewing you.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"If I had to use just one word to describe the role of an IT project manager, I would have to say 'resourceful.' No matter how much planning goes into IT projects, there are always a great number of unknown variables that impact the project. Issues such as a lack of resources, mistakes by the project team, unrealistic expectations by the project stakeholders, and other issues occur during any project. The key is to anticipate these, have the strategy for addressing them, and resolving them as quickly as possible to get the project back on track and moving towards completion. Often the solutions need to be unique and require some imagination."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
2. Why do you want a career as an IT project manager?
How to Answer
Many professionals use the IT project manager role as a springboard to move into resource manager, director, and even executive-level roles. While this may be your ultimate motivation, now is not the time to focus on your long-term goals. Instead, focus on why you love project management and how the role aligns with your most notable professional skills. You can even describe how the role will help you grow in areas you need more experience in. Convince your interviewer this is the right role for you and you're committed to giving it your best effort.
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I want a career as a project manager because it is a natural fit for my strengths and also provides the growth opportunities I seek. It will allow me to leverage my background in system analysis and design while working from a more strategic perspective. Also, it will allow me to take my leadership skills to the next level.
I have shadowed project managers and have even managed smaller projects on my own as an analyst. I enjoy this aspect of product development and I feel confident this is the right role for me. I am excited to take this important next step in my career and would love to join the team here at XYZ company."
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
3. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
There's no one right answer to this question, but your answer should be compelling and well-executed. Stick to two or three main points and offer at least one specific reason that makes you a potential stand-out candidate.
Also, this question is a great opportunity to show your interviewer that you were actively listening during the interview. Consider describing your ability to solve a problem or gap they mentioned during your discussion within your response. This will highlight your ability to listen to stakeholders, team members, or clients and address their concerns as a project manager.
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"There are three main reasons why I am a great fit for this position. First, I meet all of the job requirements and I also meet the majority of the preferred qualification requirements. In some cases, my skills and experiences even exceed the requirements.
Secondly, I have extensive experience in providing excellent customer experiences. You shared that you're looking for someone who can repair the client relationships on the projects I will be managing and I excel in this area.
Lastly, I feel I am a fit for the culture of the team and the company. I share similar values and I enjoy working in teams like what you've described. I feel I could jump in and add immediate value while working to gather the information and experience I would need to be successful in the role long-term."
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
4. What are your weaknesses?
How to Answer
Openly discussing weaknesses is typically uncomfortable for project managers who work primarily in a leadership role. Regardless, your interviewer expects you to be vulnerable and share a genuine opportunity for improvement. The key to successfully answering this question involves showcasing your project manager skills by describing your ability to observe your weaknesses and develop strategies to mitigate them going forward.
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"One of my weaknesses is learning to feel comfortable letting go of some of the technical details of the projects I manage. As a former developer, I instinctively gravitate to those details, but I know that my time is best served managing the project and maintaining a wider perspective on the work.
To mitigate this weakness, I regularly take technical classes outside of work. This strategy allows me to keep my technical skills sharp without losing sight of my role in the workplace. Also, it helps me to better understand and appreciate the work the engineers on my team are executing. I feel confident that the strategy I have developed for dealing with this issue will continue to work well here at XYZ company if I am selected for the IT project manager position."
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
5. Tell me about yourself.
How to Answer
This question is often the first question asked in an interview and many candidates are still working to settle their nerves when asked. It helps to have a basic outline in mind so that you can start things off on the right foot and calm yourself for whatever comes next. Consider the following outline for your response:
- Where you went to school, or why you got into IT
- List the jobs you consider your "early career"
- Describe the most recent roles you've held and the projects you've managed
- Express your excitement/desire to work in the role you're interviewing for
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
Answer Example
"I have a curious mind and I've always loved technology. My parents worked in technical roles and I always knew I wanted to work in technology. I have a bachelor's degree in computer information systems and I worked for five years as a business analyst at a large consulting firm after college. It was there I learned how to follow both waterfall and agile methodologies.
I then moved into my current role as an associate project manager for XYZ company. We develop medical billing and patient tracking solutions. I typically work alongside a senior project manager on large initiatives and I manage smaller projects on my own. For example, I am currently managing a project for a provider with three offices and a project budget of $400k.
I have learned a lot in my current role and I enjoy the work that I do. I feel I am ready to take the next step in my career as an IT project manager and I am excited to be here today to interview with you."
Written by Karrie Day on March 9th, 2024
6. What steps do you take to close out a project?
How to Answer
People are usually pretty good about starting projects, but many may not know how to close out the project properly. An interviewer will ask you this question to understand your approach to this and determine how important you think finalizing a project is. As an experienced IT project manager, you should be able to describe step by step how you go about closing out a project so that the client is satisfied and the organization can account for the project costs and properly.
For xample: "Finalizing a project and closing it out properly is one of the most important steps in managing a project. If not done correctly, it could result in less than optimal client satisfaction and challenges in assigning the costs related to the project. My approach to this is to first call a meeting of all the stakeholders after the project has been completed to review the entire project, including any deviations from the original plan, and a summary of the results we attained. We then review all the project costs and how they were allocated. Finally, I solicit feedback from both the project stakeholders and the project team about what we could have done better. Their input is invaluable, and I include it in my planning for the next project. The last step is to submit a summary of the project costs to the finance organization so the costs can be allocated, the vendors paid, and the budget closed."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"Finalizing a project and closing it out properly is one of the most important steps in managing a project. If not done correctly, it could result in less than optimal client satisfaction and challenges in assigning the costs related to the project. My approach to this is to first call a meeting of all the stakeholders after the project has been completed to review the entire project, including any deviations from the original plan, and a summary of the results we attained. We then review all the project costs and how they were allocated. Finally, I solicit feedback from both the project stakeholders and the project team about what we could have done better. Their input is invaluable, and I include it in my planning for the next project. The last step is to submit a summary of the project costs to the finance organization so the costs can be allocated, the vendors paid, and the budget closed."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
7. Would you recommend project management to someone interested in pursuing a career in the IT industry?
How to Answer
An interviewer will ask this question to get a feeling for your passion for this career. Employers not only want competent people who are skilled and experienced in the role they are trying to fill, but they also want somebody who is passionate and will bring a great deal of energy to the position. You can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job in how you answer the questions, your body language, and by engaging the interviewer by asking interesting questions. A positive answer to this question will also reinforce your passion for the position.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I can't think of a better job in the IT industry than being a project manager. This role exposes you to a wide range of technology, requires you to be innovative and creative, allows you to work with teams of exceptional individuals, and provides you a sense of achievement once the project is completed. Even on the most challenging projects, I've enjoyed working as an IT project manager and can not think of anything else I'd rather be doing. I would recommend this role to anyone looking for a dynamic and diverse job in this industry."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
8. Can you tell me about a project you managed that failed, and discuss what you learned from this experience?
How to Answer
Nobody likes to discuss their failures or shortcomings, but you can learn to do this in a positive way. The secret is to turn the failure into a learning experience that you can use to help you do your job better in the future. Employers recognize that nobody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes. The idea is not to allow a failure to be repeated. Ideally, your answer to this question should not involve a project or task you will be required to do for the employer with whom you are interviewing.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I was recently involved in a project requiring installing a new type of network topology. The technology we are working with had just been released, and we were one of the first customers to implement it. Unfortunately, the hardware had not been properly tested and had many problems. We didn't realize that the supplier was using us as a beta test site. We worked closely with the vendor to iron out the bugs and eventually got the topology implemented. In the end, the network performed as per the specifications. However, the project took longer and cost more than what was budgeted. The lesson I learned from this was to thoroughly vet any new technology before selecting it for the organization."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
9. Can you describe what you spend your time doing during a typical day?
How to Answer
This is an operational question which the interview will ask to determine how you go about doing your job. While there probably isn't a typical day for a project manager, you should be able to describe the general tasks and duties you perform in this role. Again, you can use this question and your answer to highlight your qualifications for this specific job. You accomplished this by aligning your answer with the requirements detailed in the job posting and the research you've conducted before the interview.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I perform a variety of different tasks and duties during my typical day. I usually start with a review of the previous day's progress on the project I am managing. I then conduct brief interviews with the project team to understand their plans for the day and any challenges or impediments they have identified or anticipate. The balance of the day is spent meeting with project stakeholders, other cross-functional teams within the organization, outside resources, and other people who may contribute to the success of the project. I usually conclude the day by sending out a project status report which updates everybody on the day's progress and our plans going forward."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
10. What is your risk management strategy for the projects you manage?
How to Answer
Managing risk is another critical function of an IT project manager. While not all risks can be eliminated, mitigating risk without increasing cost or delaying the project is a key talent you should have as an IT project manager. Be prepared not only to acknowledge that you can do this but also to discuss specific techniques you use to accomplish this objective.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"No project is risk-free, so mitigating risk and minimizing them is important. This must be done without increasing the cost or delaying the project. Some risks are acceptable, while others need to be addressed before they occur. I do this by engaging the project team and asking them to identify any risks they can foresee for each step of the project. We then determine if we need to take steps proactively to avoid the risk, or take a chance that it will not occur. If we choose the latter course of action, we make sure we have contingency plans in place to address the risk event."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
11. Do you do any contingency planning when managing an IT development project?
How to Answer
The answer to this question should be pretty obvious. Anybody responsible for managing a project should plan for contingencies. No project goes completely smoothly from conception to completion, and as a project manager, you should anticipate issues arising that need to be addressed. The more experienced you are, the easier it is to anticipate the problems you may encounter and have contingency plans in place to address these.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I believe it is critically important to have contingency plans in place for every project I manage. I always assume issues will occur and will need to be addressed. Having worked on many projects, I can usually anticipate these issues based on the nature of the project, the organization I'm working for, and any outside influences which may impact the project's progress. Having the plans in place, I'm able to put the contingencies in play and execute on them as the problems arise."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
12. How do you manage to provide project updates to all the project stakeholders?
How to Answer
Ensuring that all project stakeholders and the project team are updated and understanding the current status of a project is a critical responsibility of an IT product manager. It would be best if you had specific processes in place to accomplish this and be able to discuss them in-depth with the interviewer. Again, having done some research about the organization before the interview, your techniques should align with the processes they are currently using internally.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I believe that the most important thing I can do is keep all the project stakeholders, including my team appraised of the status of a project. This is especially critical if the project begins to slip or falls behind schedule. I do this by creating an online dashboard that anybody on the team or involved with the project can access to see exactly where the project is, the next steps, and anything that has slipped or needs attention. Different software products provide this functionality, but I prefer to use Microsoft Project Manager."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
13. What certifications do you have that qualify you for this position?
How to Answer
Many professions require certifications. These validate that a candidate is qualified for the position and has acquired the appropriate education and training to work in this job. While not every employer requires a certification, having them will distinguish you from the other applicants and encourage the hiring manager to review your training, skills, and experience. Many employers will acknowledge your progress towards a certification even though you haven't received it at the time of the interview.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I have both a Certified Project Management Associate (CPMA) and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI. I am also ITIL certified and a Six Sigma Black Belt."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
14. What is your process for planning a schedule for an IT project?
How to Answer
You probably already recognize this as an operational question since you are being asked about a process that you use to do your job. The best way to prepare for an interview is to review how you go about doing your job, the processes involved, the relationships you have with other people, and some of the technical information you use. It would help if you also practiced answering questions like these out loud so that when you get into the interview, you are comfortable, and it feels more natural.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"When establishing a schedule for a new IT project, I first meet with all of the project stakeholders to understand the requirements and to get their input on the timeline for the project. I then consult my team to make sure that the timeline is realistic. Next, I break down the project into finite processes and to assign a schedule for each one of these, noting any dependencies between them. Finally, I review the schedule with the stakeholders and my team to ensure everyone agrees that it is attainable and realistic."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
15. Which do you prefer, focusing on one project or managing several projects at the same time?
How to Answer
This is an operational question which seeks to understand how you go about doing your job. By stating your preference in response to this question, you establish how you will work in this organization if offered the position. To make sure that your response will align with the expectations of the hiring manager, you should conduct a great deal of research before the interview to learn more about how the company operates.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"During my career, I have worked in environments that require me to either focus on a single project or manage multiple projects concurrently. I am able to do both of these but prefer to work on a single project. This enables me to focus 100% on the project requirements and outcomes. I've found this usually results in better results and a more successful conclusion to the project."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
16. What are some of the primary methodologies you use to manage your IT projects?
How to Answer
An interviewer will ask this type of question to understand how you go about doing your job. Questions like this are considered operational questions and help the hiring manager to get a better idea of your qualifications and skills for the position for which you are interviewing. Operational questions are best answered directly and succinctly, with little embellishment. The interviewer will ask you a follow-up question if they need additional information.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I employ several different methodologies when managing complex It projects. These include agile, lean, and waterfall. By using these frameworks, I'm able to keep the project on schedule, under budget, and complying with the specifications required by the stakeholders. These methodologies also help me to manage project milestones and correct any errors or mistakes that occur."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
- Agile
- Product Thinking
- Lean
Some of the benefits of following these I have seen based on my experience are the following
- Superior quality product
- Incremental / iterative deliverables. We start gaining value sooner
- Incorporate customer feedback as part of the process"
Chad's Feedback
17. What methods have you found to be effective in gaining consensus from your project team in the project stakeholders?
How to Answer
Every IT project involves project stakeholders and the technical team whose responsibility it is to execute the project. Most of the time, the interests of these two groups are aligned. However, occasionally conflicts occur. These involve timelines, project outcomes, budgets, and other critical elements of the project. As the IT product manager, it is your responsibility to gain a consensus between these two groups and mitigate any conflicts which arise. You should be able to discuss how you go about doing this and what methods you have found to be effective.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"In my experience, the key to gaining consensus between the project team and the project stakeholders begins in the planning process. Before beginning to execute a project, I gather both groups together, and we discuss the project outcomes, the timelines, budgets, and other elements of the project. Setting the right expectations, obtaining the necessary resources, and making sure everybody understands how the project is to be executed eliminates most sources of conflict. When conflicts do arise, I address them immediately, asking for input from all impacted parties, and allowing them to collaborate on the resolution."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
18. Can you discuss some of the tools and technology you use to manage IT projects?
How to Answer
Project managers use a wide range of tools and technologies to manage the projects they are assigned. Some of these are quite simple such as a spreadsheet or word document. Others are more complex, including project dashboards and other software and technologies. You should be able to name several tools you use and be prepared to go into detail if the interviewer asks you follow-up questions about a specific tool. If possible, try to describe the tools you use which align with those the organization is currently using.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"In addition to using the Microsoft suite office productivity and project management tools, I also use Gantt charts to manage my projects. ProjectManager.com has an excellent Gantt chart application, which allows me to plan and manage each phase of the project. I can create dependencies, assign milestones, manage all the tasks, and shift the workload."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
19. Can you discuss the outcome and the results of a recent IT development project that you worked on or managed?
How to Answer
When an interviewer asks this question, they are only marginally interested in the results you obtained from a project. What they're actually looking for is how you went about obtaining those results, and any lessons you may have learned regardless of whether the project was successful or a failure. The best way to answer this question is to provide a brief description of the results you obtained and then elaborating on the techniques you used to obtain those results. Your answer should also align with the type of projects for which the organization is interviewing you to manage.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"One of the most successful projects I recently managed was migrating an on-premise data center into the cloud. The critical challenge of this project was to maintain the productivity of the organization during the migration. We accomplished this by first standing up the hardware resources in the cloud. We then replicated the applications and data and migrated it to the hardware already set up in the cloud. Finally, we shut down the company's production for the weekend, took a snapshot of the data, and then updated the information in the cloud. On Monday, the company was in full production, and no data had been lost. What I learned from this is that the success of a project begins the planning stage and that if done properly, the execution is relatively straightforward."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
20. What has been one of the most significant mistakes you have ever made on an IT project?
How to Answer
The purpose of this question is not to discover what your biggest mistake has been, but rather how you dealt with it. Everybody makes mistakes, but recovering from them and correcting them is a critical skill for an IT project manager. When answering this question, give a brief description of the mistake, take ownership of it, and then spend some time describing how you resolved the issue.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"Probably the biggest mistake I've ever made on a critical IT project was to ignore the indicators that the project was falling behind schedule. I accepted the explanations provided to me by my team at face value. This was my fault, not theirs. What I should have done was to investigate the reasons we were falling behind schedule and take corrective actions to mitigate them. Once I realized this, I immediately got more involved with the project and went as far as working alongside my team to get us back on schedule. The lesson I learned from this was to trust but verify the information provided to me by our team members and the other indicators I use to monitor the progress of a project."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
21. Once you recognize that a project has fallen behind schedule, what specific steps you take to get it back on track?
How to Answer
This is a follow-up to the interview question 'What are some of the key indicators you use to determine if a project is falling behind schedule?'. As we mentioned in the advice section for that question, every time you give an interviewer an answer to their question, you can anticipate follow-up questions. This indicates that the interviewer has a specific interest in this topic and wants to explore it in greater detail. It also indicates that the topic is of significant importance to the organization. You should take additional actions to demonstrate your qualifications in this area.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"Once I observe one or more of the indicators mentioned in my previous answer, I immediately take steps to put the project back on schedule. I may contact the leader of the resources we need to see if I can expedite them. I have conversations with my team to determine why they need additional time and what steps we can take to mitigate this. I also continually monitor the project to ensure that the time allotted is reasonable. If not, I then contact the project stakeholders to discuss extending the deadlines for specific steps or the entire project."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
22. What are some of the key indicators you use to determine if a project is falling behind schedule?
How to Answer
One of the IT project manager's critical responsibilities is to keep the project on schedule. To do this, you should be familiar with some key indicators which provided information as to the status of a project and whether it is behind or ahead of schedule. You probably already recognize this as an operational question that determines how you go about doing your job. Keep in mind that operational questions are best answered directly and briefly and that you should anticipate follow-up questions.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I spend a lot of time and resources, making sure that the projects I manage to stay on schedule. I employ tools such as the agile methodology, pert charts, excel spreadsheets, and other techniques. Some indicators that a project is slowing down include incomplete tasks, feedback from the project team, resources we're waiting on, and requests from project stakeholders for additional time to complete their assigned tasks. Once I recognize these, I immediately take steps to accelerate the project and get it back on schedule."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
23. Can you discuss your experience managing remote teams and collaborating with outside resources on a complex IT project?
How to Answer
In today's technology environment, it is common to work with remote teams and external resources. This is especially true since the pandemic, where even the inside resources are working remotely. You should be able to demonstrate your skill in this area by discussing previous projects you worked on, which involved managing remote teams and collaborating with outside resources.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"Every IT development project I've ever worked on involved managing remote teams and collaborating with external resources. This is a reality in today's technology environment and is becoming more prominent since the pandemic hit in 2020. I have found that the key to this is open and transparent communication channels, checking in with the teams and resources frequently, and providing tools that enable us to easily collaborate and share information. These include Zoom, Slack, Skype, and other technologies."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
24. How do you prioritize the tasks required to move an IT project forward?
How to Answer
This is an operational question in which the interviewer is seeking to understand your ability to prioritize tasks, schedule resources, and determine the relationships between individual tasks. Keep in mind that when answering an operational question, you should be brief and to the point. Always anticipate a follow-up question from the interviewer.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"One of my key responsibilities as an IT project manager is to keep the project on schedule. I do this by prioritizing the tasks and understanding any dependencies between each task. I use tools such as pert charts and xcel spreadsheets to manage this process. As the project progresses, the priorities of the tasks may change. I stay on top of this and keep my team and the stakeholders informed of any changes I make in the scheduling of task assignments."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
25. What methods do you use to communicate and collaborate with customers and other project stakeholders to ensure the success of the projects you work on?
How to Answer
Communication and collaboration skills are important for any project manager. Interviewers are likely to ask you questions like this to confirm your expertise in this area. They also gauge your communication skills based on how you answer the questions they ask. If you claim to be a good collaborator and communicator, you should be able to demonstrate this with your answers and the way you present them.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"The successful outcome of a project depends heavily on effective communication with all the stakeholders as well as the internal project team, and collaborating with this same group of people to achieve the desired outcomes. My approach to this is to meet with the project stakeholders early so that everyone is on the same page as to what the expectations for the outcomes of the project are. I then provide frequent updates as to the project's status and constantly solicit input and ideas from everybody. The last thing I do is to review the project outcomes prior to the final sign off to make sure that we have achieved the results the stakeholders expected."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
26. What is your approach to coaching team members who are performing below their full potential?
How to Answer
As a project manager, you are also a team leader. It is your responsibility to get the most you can out of the members of your team. This process starts with good hiring, consistent development of skills and experience, and frequent coaching and mentoring. You should be able to discuss this based on your experience executing this critical skill.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I take pride in my ability to keep my team on task and working to their full potential. I make sure I hire the people with the appropriate skills for the type of projects we work on, provide them with the training and resources necessary to do their job, and then frequently coach and mentor them. I create an environment where mistakes are tolerated as long as they become learning opportunities. I also recognize high achievers and partner them with people who could use additional skills development."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
27. Have you ever recruited outside resources to assist you with a critical issue for a project you were working on?
How to Answer
By asking this operational question, the interviewer is seeking to understand whether you are willing to use whatever means it takes to complete a project. There is no shame and seeking help outside of your immediate project team. The critical element is that you remain in control and take responsibility for the outcome of the project, including adherence to the budget and timeline. Whatever resources you use is up to you.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"Once I am assigned to lead a project and understand the budget and timeline, I seek out the resources necessary to complete the job. These include my internal team, other members of the organization, and sometimes resources from outside of the company. This latter group includes vendors, industry associates, and people I may have worked within the past. If I do seek outside help, I make sure that the project's confidentiality is maintained and that any information shared is done under a non-disclosure."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
28. One of the key responsibilities of an IT project manager is to oversee the budget for the project. Can you tell me about your experience in this area?
How to Answer
Managing a project's budget is a key skill a qualified IT project manager must possess. Not only should you be able to talk about your experience with this, but you should also include a few tips about how to make the process easier and more transparent. The more expertise you can demonstrate in this area, the more likely you will be considered as a qualified candidate for this position.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"I have a great deal of experience managing budgets for the projects I worked on. I've managed budgets as small as a few hundred dollars and up to several hundred thousand dollars. I constantly audit the budget to make sure we're on track and looking for areas where we can cut costs without compromising the quality of the project. I am also adept at producing reports to communicate the overall budget and the status of the project to all the stakeholders."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
- Employee / Contractors budget: I ensure everyone is accounted for and every year we have a plan for growth
- Supplier specific Project: Many times we have a different vendor working fully on a feature. I manage the planning, scoping, approval, and tracking of the project budget.
- Hardware/Software budget: I am in charge of buying all hardware equipment for my team. I work on collecting the needs, getting estimates, reviewing the estimates, and obtaining the hardware.
Since we have a dedicated allocation for each year, I am responsible to maximize our budget and obtaining the most value out of it. Also, I am responsible to plan for next year incorporating team growth."
Chad's Feedback
29. Can you describe for me your ideal project and what it would look like if you were able to design it yourself?
How to Answer
This is a general question the interviewer is likely to ask early in the interview to start the conversation, learn more about you, and collect some information they can use throughout the interview. It also provides them with an idea of your project management preferences and the type of projects you like to work on. This type of question provides an opportunity to guide the interview in a direction you would like.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"My ideal project would involve a complex software development exercise. The application I would be working on would be for internal corporate use, and a customer would be one of the organization's departments. Ideally, the timeline would be generous, allowing the team to be creative and innovative. We'd also have all the resources necessary to complete the project on time, and the stakeholders would be available for frequent updates, input, and feedback."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020