34 Program Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Program 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.
Behavioral
1. What are your weaknesses?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers know this question has a high chance of throwing you off your game in an interview. Program managers are expected to show poise under pressure while delivering information that can be perceived as difficult to communicate. Your interviewer wants to see if you can maintain your composure, confidence, and integrity while discussing your own professional improvement opportunities.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Remember To
Remember that this question is not an invitation to air out all of your professional "dirty laundry." Keep your answer brief and highlight one or two improvement opportunities that would further your value specifically as a program manager if they are addressed. Likewise, describe a few strategies you are actively pursuing to address the weaknesses you describe in your response.
Here are a few weaknesses program managers regularly work to address:
- A program or tool they need to gain more experience in
- Learning to make key decisions using a balance of data and intuition
- Working to learn the details of an industry or client base that is new
- Letting go of some of the details to focus more on strategy
- Improving the delivery of difficult news to a client
- Balancing servant leadership with the need to be an authority at times
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Answer Example
"One of my weaknesses or opportunities is that I have not yet had the opportunity to manage projects within the range of industries I would like to have exposure to. The vast majority of my work has been within the healthcare sector and I would like to expand my knowledge of the technology and solutions available. That is one of the reasons I am so excited to interview with you today. This position will allow me to leverage my strengths through the management of healthcare programs, but you have a strong foothold in several other industries. I am confident that I could establish friendships and mentoring relationships that would allow me to gain exposure to other areas long-term.
One other weakness that comes to mind is that I have relied too heavily on data at times in the past. I am a firm believer in data-driven decision-making, but there are times when an intuitive approach is needed for balance and to keep things moving. I am working to become more conscious of my intuition and listen more to the intuition of my teams and leaders. I know this is more of an art than a science and it is a behavior I plan to continue working on if hired for the program manager position here at XYZ company."
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Behavioral
2. How do you measure the success of the programs you are responsible for?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers are directly responsible for ensuring the success of the initiatives within their assigned program. They may also provide leadership to project managers who monitor the success of the individual projects within the program. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate can clearly articulate how they know when their programs are successful.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to specify your work with any standard models such as objectives and key results, critical success factors, the seven forces model, etcetera you have used to measure success in the past. Large programs often rely on these types of models and value program manager candidates who have experience tracking success in this way. In the event you have not used any specific methodology to track success, it is important to research any models that are specified within the job description of the role you are interviewing for prior to your interview.
Also, remember to describe a method for tracking success at a team level. This may include activities such as holding reflection meetings, or one-on-ones to gauge morale. Successful product launches and delivery of business goals are important, but it can be equally as important to maintain a programming environment where team members feel supported and satisfied.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"There are three main aspects to measuring success for the programs I am responsible for. First, I measure how the work of the teams within my program preform against the defined goals of the initiative. I prefer to use the objectives and key results model for measuring this aspect of the work. I appreciate that each of the objectives has a distinct list of key results that are directly measurable. There should be little room for ambiguity and the results should be written in a way that teams can easily align their work with the results they need to deliver. These objectives usually include measurements of delivery time, budget performance, revenue generation, operational efficiencies, and customer satisfaction.
Secondly, I work with the project managers, product managers, and technical leads within my program to develop a clear strategy to achieve our objectives. These activities include release planning, reviewing product launch activities, defining milestones, and reviewing budgets. During these sessions, we discuss the team success metrics that we can use on a regular basis to contribute to the measurement of the OKRs. We end with the creation of team-based OKRs that align with the strategic plan.
During execution, I check in regularly with all of my teams to see how well we are performing. We review their progress against the team objectives and map their success back to the program objectives. We discuss any performance issues and develop strategies to get back on track. We also celebrate successes and discuss strategies to fully leverage things that are working better than expected.
Thirdly, I feel it is important to measure the success of a program by the satisfaction of the employees who contribute to it. The measurement methods for this can be a bit ambiguous, but I have used a mix of reflection meetings, one-on-ones, surveys, teambuilding events, and impromptu check-ins in the past. I like to make sure that everyone feels supported and challenged and that team-level conflicts are resolved appropriately. I work with the project managers and engineering leads to make sure they focus on this as well because it is a critical success factor in many cases."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Competency
3. How would you define the relationship between a vision, goals, and strategy?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers are responsible for taking programs through all of the phases of inception and execution. This question is asked to ensure a candidate understands these important conceptual artifacts that help to drive alignment and success within large programs of work.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to provide easy-to-understand and clear definitions for each area. Program managers often drive the facilitation of the discussion and creation of vision statements, goals, and strategic plans. It is expected that they can quickly and easily describe this work.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"Vision, goals, and strategy are high-level features of a program or project that define the target and how it will be met. The vision communicates the 'what' of the initiative. It is a clear and short statement that outlines the purpose and the ultimate goal. It helps to create excitement and alignment within the teams that work toward bringing the vision to life.
Goals define the extent to which the vision will come to life at a given point in time. For example, if the vision of a program at Coinbase is to develop the world's most trusted and used app for crypto trading, a goal for a particular year that aligns with that vision might be to increase usage by 15% within a specific target audience.
Strategic plans define how goals will be met to transform the vision into a reality. If we stick with the example goal of the 15% user increase, a strategy for that goal would include a multi-faceted plan that integrates work between various teams and groups such as product management, marketing, engineering, support, legal, finance, etc."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Competency
4. 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 3rd, 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 3rd, 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 3rd, 2022
Competency
5. Why are program managers needed if project managers can manage individual projects successfully?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is asked to test the general knowledge of a program manager candidate. Interviewers seek program managers that clearly understand the value their role is intended to generate within their company.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to discuss a variety of ways program managers add value within your response. Your answer should include examples of leadership, domain expertise, and customer service skills.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"Program managers are not always necessary. It depends on the organization, project complexity, and the opportunities for alignment. Assuming that the organization is large enough and there are related projects, program managers can add value in several key areas.
Program managers are experienced leaders who can mentor and coach others. Their backgrounds vary and aligning program managers with verticals they have expertise in can improve project success rates. They are able to establish standards and drive innovation because they have experience working with the various cross-functional roles within the teams they lead.
Program managers also have expertise in working with high-profile stakeholders and customers. They are able to provide strategic guidance and communicate properly with executives and senior leaders. They have experience managing large budgets and developing plans to resolve complex business problems. Additionally, most program managers have advanced soft skills and customer service expertise.
Program managers also drive cohesion and alignment. They are able to view things from a higher perspective and identify collaboration opportunities. They ensure that the work their teams do is properly contributing to the goals of the program in addition to the goals of the teams and individuals involved. They know how to resolve conflicts and keep large bodies of work on track."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Competency
6. Describe a method for performing an impact assessment.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Determining the impact of potential changes can be a primary responsibility of program managers. This question may be asked in an interview to gain insight into a candidate's process for analyzing the impact of large, complex, or multi-faceted changes.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 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 program manager can be an important factor when developing a strategy from the results of an impact analysis effort.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 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 3rd, 2022
Discovery
7. What qualities of a company's culture do you appreciate the most? Dislike?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question helps determine whether or not a candidate is a fit for the culture of the hiring company. Interviewers are curious to know what cultural expectations you may have based on your preferences.
Feeling comfortable with your working environment is of the utmost importance for all parties involved. In the event you are not asked this question, take advantage of the opportunity to ask the interviewer what they like the most about their company's culture during your interview.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to keep any of the qualities you dislike in general. Interviewers may become fearful you will speak about them poorly in the future if you associate your answer with a specific individual or company.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I appreciate companies that foster environments where people are able to speak and act genuinely and authentically in the workplace. I dislike cultures that promote behaviors that stifle creativity and innovation. I am a supporter of process and social responsibility, and I thrive within companies that implement policy while maintaining a commitment to flexibility and the creative spirit."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
8. What skills do you feel add the most value to your work as a program manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to learn more about the skills a program manager believes they can use to directly add value to the role they are seeking. Companies seek candidates that possess talents in alignment with their needs as well as those that are gifted in areas that can drive change and innovation within their organization.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe skills or talents you possess that will potentially leave a lasting impression on your interviewer and set you apart from your competition. The answer you provide to this question has the potential for high impact and is a perfect opportunity to brand yourself during an interview.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I am formally trained and have years of experience in project management. That knowledge framework and wealth of experience are very helpful to me in my work as a program manager. However, my facilitation skills have added the most value to my work over the course of my career.
I am trained in a number of facilitation techniques including strategic planning and the development of high-performance teams. I leverage each of these bodies of knowledge regularly as a program manager. I know how to systematically identify the most valuable bodies of work, work with my stakeholders to develop vision and mission statements, break those down into goals, and then develop tactical plans to achieve them. I am adept at generating cohesion between senior stakeholders with conflicting needs and driving out plans that follow a well-defined value stream.
On the team front, I have a lot of experience in identifying dysfunction within teams and collaboratively developing plans to address and transcend it. I am able to teach others the attributes that great teams continually strive for, and I intuitively and empathetically assist teams during times of transformation.
These two skills combine to ensure that the programs I manage are well defined and tackled in the right way. I have received a lot of positive feedback over the years in this area and I am confident I would be able to apply this same skill set on a regular basis as a program manager within your company."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
9. How could your management best support you in your work as a program manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers are leaders, but they require support and leadership from their management. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate's expectations for support are in alignment with the leadership style of those who manage the role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to be as honest as possible about what you feel you need to be supported in a new role. In the event that this question does not come up, consider rephrasing it to ask the hiring manager how they intend to support your work. It is important to match your expectations with a management approach that can meet your needs for development and encouragement.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"There are three main ways a management team can support me in a program manager role. First, I appreciate managers who clearly communicate the expectations of my role. Additionally, I find it helpful for managers to make roles and responsibilities clear in situations with overlap if they have a preference for how things should be handled.
Second, I believe in an accountable culture that values continual reflection and improvement. I feel supported by management teams that foster these values. I feel supported by management which allows room for the risk that comes alongside innovation and learning.
Finally, I feel best supported by managers who are willing to fight for what teams need to be successful. This sometimes means going outside the bounds of what is usual and customary in order to do the right thing. I resonate with that kind of bravery and leadership."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
10. How many projects do you typically have in flight at once?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to get a sense of the scale of the programs a candidate has experience managing. The answer a candidate provides helps to determine if their experience is in alignment with the level of responsibility that is expected of the role to be fulfilled.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to provide high-level details regarding the number of resources on the project teams included within your answer. For example, a project manager responsible for one project with fifty individuals assigned might be comparable to a program manager responsible for five projects assigned to five smaller teams.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"The program I currently manage is comprised of four teams that support seven major products. Three of the teams are cross-functional teams of seven to ten resources including project managers, product managers, engineers, and testers. The other team handles all of the maintenance and support of our products that are in production.
We typically aim to break large initiatives down into small projects that range from three to six months in duration and there are anywhere from five to ten projects occurring simultaneously at any given time."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
11. Tell me about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
While your interviewer is expecting a brief response that generally walks them through your professional history, you should take full advantage of this opportunity to make an excellent first impression and set the stage for a memorable interview. Discuss any programs you've been selected to participate in, any programs you've spearheaded, and the projects you've managed that generated significant transformation or value for your stakeholders. You can even boost your chances of standing out in the crowd by sharing a story about a hobby or activity you participate in and then describing why it helps to make you a top-notch program manager.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Remember To
Remember to weave at least one interesting detail about yourself within your response. The goal is to capture your interviewer's attention and excite them to learn more about you. The detail can be personal or professional, but it should be something that helps you stand out from your competition.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Answer Example
"I grew up in the western US and enjoyed time outdoors as a child. I played a lot of sports and spent time doing anything that allowed me to climb, run, or get my hands dirty. I was a good student and got a full scholarship to XYZ University where I studied management.
I joined a management training program at ABC company out of college. Most of my work was analytical in support of the consultants on my teams. However, the program offered specialized training and afforded me access to senior leaders within the company which served to prepare me for my next role.
I went on to manage projects for the company I work for today. It is an IT startup and the work is very fast-paced and we have increased revenues by an average of 22% for the last three years. Given the size of the company, I wear many hats and have gained experience that can be difficult to come by in larger organizations. This appealed to me because it reminded me of my days as a child when I was constantly exploring new things and taking on new challenges. I appreciate the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with senior leaders and executive clients. I typically manage anywhere from 3 to 5 projects and I have learned how to prioritize and multi-task effectively.
I am here today to interview for the open program manager role because I am ready to take the next step in my career. I am confident that my education, training, experience, and curious spirit will help me to be successful in whatever comes next. I am excited to hear more about the position and share the details of of most notable achievements."
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Discovery
12. Do you have experience managing globally distributed teams?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many companies operate in a global setting with employees and customers located all over the world. Management of global initiatives requires advanced facilitation skills as well as knowledge of cultural and professional norms for each area. Interviewers ask this question when they anticipate the program manager they hire will be responsible for projects that rely on globally distributed teams.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to mention working with globally distributed customers or stakeholders if your management experience is limited in this area. Interviewers will often accept experience working with customers in various locations in lieu of experience managing globally distributed teams.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I have managed several globally distributed teams. The customers for the products within my portfolio are located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. I coordinate steering committee meetings comprised of representatives from each area regularly. Additionally, the product development teams I manage all work remotely. We have team members in the US, Brazil, England, Poland, and India."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
13. What attributes do you appreciate the most in the members that make up the teams you work with?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers are responsible for ensuring that the candidate they hire is a fit for the culture of the company and the teams the new hire will be working with. This question helps an interviewer identify candidates with views on team dynamics that are in alignment with the groups they will be working with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the value that is created through the attributes you select in your answer. Additionally, it is important to include attributes that add business or customer value in addition to those that you appreciate because they are a fit for your personality or working style.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I appreciate so many things about the people who make up the teams I work with, but there are three attributes that I find to be valuable on a regular basis. First, I appreciate working with team members who are empathetic. Having the ability to connect properly with other members of the team, stakeholders, and with customers is beneficial. It helps build value into everything we do as a team, and it bridges individuals together.
Secondly, I appreciate team members who are accountable and take pride in their work. I find that people who place importance on doing their job well and getting things right as much as possible help to set the bar high for others. They lead by example and inspire the team. They inspire me.
Finally, I appreciate team members that have gifts that are complementary to my own. I believe in identifying what people are truly great at and finding ways to leverage those strengths to the fullest. The most high-performance teams I have worked with have a mix of gifts that balance each other. I find I learn a lot, and the products that are developed are higher quality."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
14. Please describe your experience managing projects and programs.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is asked to assess the level of responsibility a program manager has had in previous roles. Some organizations use the terms project management and program management interchangeably while others utilize program managers as senior leaders that bridge multiple projects together. Interviewers use a candidate's answer to determine if they are a fit for the scale of programs they will be required to lead.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include examples of the various types of projects you have led including operations, technical, financial, HR, etcetera. Also, be sure to describe your experience leading internal projects, customer-facing projects, and those that require partnership with third-party vendors. Finally, be sure to offer the interviewer a sense of the scale of the programs or projects you had responsibility for. This includes the budgets you were responsible for, the resources you led, and the user communities you served.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I began working as a project manager within the properties division of a large enterprise. I managed projects for initiatives such as large office moves, new system rollouts, and major renovations. The budgets for these types of projects varied from several hundred thousand dollars to multi-million. I coordinated the various tasks between the various stakeholder groups, other project managers in my area, and the groups we relied on to handle construction and our technology needs.
In my current role at Amazon, I am a program manager within the workspace operations group. My main focus is to coordinate projects that enhance the workplace experience of Amazon employees. There are four project managers that report directly to me, and we collectively represent a portfolio of anywhere between 10 and 20 projects in flight at any given time. I report directly to a senior manager within the workspace PMO and I am responsible for developing roadmaps, tracking progress, establishing budgets, delivering executive presentations, and ensuring project management standards are upheld."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
15. 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 companies require program managers to 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 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the roles you had responsibility over in your role as a technology project manager or program manager. Many companies specifically require experience managing cross-functional technology teams. It is important to offer a sense of the breadth of management experience you have this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"The job I held previous to my current role was a project manager position for a financial services SasS product. I managed projects to develop features for the API and mobile functions of our product.
I managed a cross-functional team that included product managers, systems analysts, engineers, and quality assurance analysts. I was 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 3rd, 2022
Discovery
16. Please describe your experience delivering executive level presentations.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers typically interact directly with senior stakeholders. Interviewers ask this question to ensure that candidates can present the right level of detail in a way that is easily understood by this important audience.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to communicate that you are confident presenting information to this level of an audience while simultaneously demonstrating humility. Executives and senior leaders represent a wide range of informational needs, and it is expected that a program manager will need to learn the preferences of their audience.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last role, I was responsible for developing and maintaining implementation roadmaps. I regularly presented these to senior executives within client organizations who were responsible for budget approval. During these meetings, I communicated the vision for the entire solution, the investment needs, and the projected ROI information.
I appreciated the direct communication style of the executives I worked with. I learned to customize my presentation style to match the style of their company. I found that these presentations were a perfect time to set the expectations around the support our team would need in partnering with them to onboard their company successfully."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
17. What three words would your stakeholders use to describe you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers often serve as the face of their programs to their stakeholders. Interviewers ask this question to gain insight into how a candidate might be viewed by their customers, clients, and stakeholders.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to choose three words that highlight separate and unique attributes of your approach to customer service. This question is an opportunity to brand yourself and leave a lasting impression on your interviewer. Use this question to emphasize a well-rounded and value-add skill set. Also, be sure to offer a brief description of why you selected each word within your response.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked with a wide variety of stakeholders in the past and I strive to develop a custom approach to working with each of them that is aligned with their unique needs. However, I think they could all agree on the following three words.
First, my stakeholders would say that I am accountable. I make clear commitments and deliver upon them regularly. When circumstances outside of my control change, I quickly communicate the details and collaborate on a new plan of action. I own my own mistakes as well as those of my teams and I ensure we learn from them and avoid them in the future.
Second, my stakeholders would say I am empathetic. I work hard to understand their worlds and anticipate their needs. I try to think and feel from their perspective and the perspectives of the groups they are responsible for. I treat their feelings as important as my own.
Finally, my stakeholders would say that I am light-hearted. I believe in the importance of weaving enjoyment into the work I do with my stakeholders and my teams. I face negative situations head-on, but I balance that with positivity. I am quick to laugh at myself and remind everyone I work with that our work goes more smoothly when we remember to relax and have fun as much as possible."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
18. What strategic planning methods do you have experience facilitating?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Strategic analysis is a key skillset for a program manager. Many program-level management roles specifically mention this skillset within the job descriptions for these positions. Interviewers ask this question to determine the depth of a candidate's experience in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include an example of your ability to identify 'thematic business problems' within your response. You should be able to then clearly demonstrate how you are able to transform those problems into strategic plans for resolution. Also, include the names of any specific models such as SWOT analysis or OKR goal setting you have experience with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I have experience working with business stakeholders to facilitate SWOT analysis sessions. In these sessions, we develop lists of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and then determine their impact on the business. I have also worked with the OKR model to develop objectives and key results. This model is useful for helping me develop the key performance indicators for the products I am responsible for.
My background as an analyst helps me to understand how to analyze large data sets and look for trends or data points that indicate various operational problems exist within an organization. From there, I have extensive experience partnering with various subject matter experts to drive out strategic plans for a resolution that specifically aims to resolve issues and contribute to the business goals that are in alignment with the strategic improvements for the initiative.
From an agile methodology perspective, I have experience facilitating user story mapping sessions, driving out product development epics, and coordinating release plans across the teams within my program."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
19. What do you dislike about the program manager role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to identify the potential challenges a program manager might face in a new role. Interviewers expect that candidates will show more or less favor to various tasks. However, understanding a candidate's dislikes helps to identify candidates that are an ideal match for the teams they will be assigned to work with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include an explanation for why you dislike the aspect of program management you select in your answer. Also, be sure to demonstrate a strategy for managing your dislike in the area you select.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"The thing I enjoy the least about my work as a program manager is the administrative tasks. I enjoy the mentally challenging and collaborative work of strategic planning, analysis, and design. Sitting at my desk updating budgets or other reports is not as exciting for me. However, I understand the business value and the necessity of these tasks. I made it a habit early in my career to dedicate time to these types of tasks every week, or more frequently when needed. That ensures I do not fall behind, and that this aspect of the work represents a small portion of what I need to do each week."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
20. What do you enjoy the most about your work as a program manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers often work in fast-paced and stressful environments. They have leadership responsibility, manage essential customer relationships, and oversee the successful implementation of mission-critical projects. Interviewers ask this question to determine what motivates a candidate and to ensure the role within their company offers opportunities that are in alignment with the aspects of program management a candidate values.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the value that the aspect you select creates in your life. For example, if you explain that you love most the opportunity to leverage your strategic planning skills, you should include an explanation of how strategic planning has helped you move forward professionally.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"The thing I enjoy the most about being a program manager is the opportunity to bridge people and groups together. I love facilitating meetings, resolving conflicts, and helping the various groups I work with collaborate to develop intelligent solutions. I genuinely enjoy learning about the various aspects of the businesses I work with and the customers I support.
The facilitative aspect of my work as a program manager has added a lot of value to my professional and personal life. I feel it has helped me work more with my intuition and empathetic qualities. I use those skills daily."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
21. What experience do you have working with lean or agile methodologies?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many projects are managed using various agile methodologies that deliver value incrementally. Additionally, some companies have adopted lean practices to increase efficiency. It is common for companies to blend best practices from several methodologies into hybrid models that are customized to support the needs of specific teams and their stakeholders. Candidates are asked this question to determine their relative level of experience managing projects using a variety of methods.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to provide a sense of scale for the efforts you were responsible for. Program managers typically have responsibility for several projects at a time, and interviewers value candidates that have experience coordinating complex initiatives in a scaled environment such as companies with an official project or program management office or those who have adopted SAFe (scaled agile framework).
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked with several agile methodologies including scrum and kanban. As a program manager, I regularly coordinate with the scrum masters and product owners of the agile teams I work with. I manage budgets, ensure resource availability, and report progress to our PMO.
I regularly facilitate scrum of scrum meetings with our scrum masters and product owners. In those meetings, we coordinate aspects of our projects that overlap, and we share best practices. We review each team's burndown charts and adjust strategies as necessary. These meetings help to ensure we were working in the right way, and that we are focused on the right work at the right time."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Discovery
22. 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 the interviewing company 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 3rd, 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 3rd, 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 3rd, 2022
Leadership
23. What type of leader do you aspire to be?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Leadership skills are an important aspect of a program manager's toolkit, and every leader has a unique style. Interviewers ask this question to determine the type of leadership they can expect a candidate to aim for within their company.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a brief explanation of why you prefer the leadership style you mention. Interviewers are interested to know the inspiration behind your current blend of leadership qualities and how you would like to develop them in the future.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I would like to be the type of leader that inspires others to do the right thing. I want the people I am fortunate to lead to believe in taking pride in their work and working hard to continually improve. I have worked with mentors in the past that have inspired me to do things right and ensure the quality of my work, and I do the same for others. I find that these qualities foster healthy team dynamics.
I would also like to be a fair, empathetic, and trustworthy leader. I want the individuals I lead to know they can always come to me for guidance and support. They can expect honesty and for me to have their best interest at heart.
Finally, I think it is important to be a facilitative and collaborative leader. I do not always have the best ideas, but I am great at making a comfortable space for those with the best ideas to come together creatively."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Leadership
24. Please describe your management style.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers are called upon to lead in a variety of capacities over the course of their time managing project portfolios. This may include direct management of project managers, analysts, junior program managers, etcetera. Additionally, program managers are collaborators who foster cohesion between groups. They are expected to continually align teams with strategic goals and initiatives. Interviewers ask this question to gain insight into a candidate's approach to management and whether it is a fit for the role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include more than one management style within your response. Program managers often work with more than one team at a time as well as resources that represent a variety of seniority levels within a company. Interviewers value candidates that are prepared to customize their approach to meet the needs of the situation.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"My management style is a dynamic blend of several styles. I believe in taking the time to get to know the individuals I work with so that I can craft a custom approach that is the best fit for their needs and the specifics of the situation.
I have had the good fortune to work with many extremely talented people over the years, and I find myself using democratic management methods most often in these instances. I see it as my role to encourage collaboration and transformation. I serve them as best I can by removing roadblocks and inspiring creativity and innovation. I work to help them feel trusted and supported so that they can develop a team environment of vulnerability and accountability. Once that is established, I typically step back, let them perform, and ensure that their work is rewarded properly.
When I am working with individuals or teams that need more guidance, I take a more hands-on approach. I use mentoring and coaching techniques and lead by example. I have no problem getting in the weeds of a project and doing whatever is needed to fill the gaps. I have rarely had to lean on autocratic methods, but I assert authority if the situation calls for it and other approaches fail."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Leadership
25. What are your expectations for the project managers you have direct responsibility for in your work as a program manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some project managers are responsible for the direct management of project managers. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about a candidate's management style and the expectations for the project managers under their leadership.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include expectations for a mix of hard and soft skills you intend to foster and help develop for the project managers you will be working with. This includes items such as project management competencies, leadership, facilitation, customer service, etcetera.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"The first things I seek to establish with project managers I have leadership and management responsibility for are trust and transparency. I want them to know it is okay to be vulnerable and to learn. I want them to know that mistakes happen, and they are a team's responsibility. I want them to know I am there to support them and I expect honesty so that we can proactively make changes as necessary. I do not expect perfection, but I expect excellent communication and demonstrable growth.
I also expect adaptability from the project managers I lead. Things change constantly and I seek to create an agile and creative environment. I challenge PMs to always look for the value stream and to find ways to maximize it on behalf of their teams and their customers.
I expect the PMs on my team to have a strong project management knowledge base and to continue to learn. I expect them to share best practices, earn from each other's successes and failures, and suggest process changes that add value.
Finally, I expect the PMs I lead to be leaders. I ask them to find ways to get to know their teams and their customers better so they can serve their teams at a high level. I ask them to lead by example. I challenge them to be prepared to have difficult conversations and defuse conflicts when needed. I ask them to find what works best for their teams and to foster a dynamic and fun environment in which everyone can thrive."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Leadership
26. What are the typical titles of the individuals on the teams you have responsibility for?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers have leadership responsibilities within the programs they manage. Interviewers ask this question to identify candidates with experience leading the types of teams within the organization the candidate will be assigned to.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a brief description for each title you include within your response. Companies use similar titles to cover a wide variety of duties. Providing a scope statement for each role helps an interviewer align your experience with the roles that are typical to the teams within their organization.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"The majority of my project and program management background lies within technology product development. Our teams are cross-functional and include project managers responsible for day-to-day operations, product managers responsible for product strategy, engineers who build the products, analysts who work directly with our clients to define their needs and translate them into requirements, and quality assurance testers who develop automated tests and run manual tests as well. Some of my teams follow scrum and have a specific product owner and scrum master roles.
I also oversee the work of resources that are shared across teams such as architects who help develop our framework and integration plans, database administrators, and our support analysts. Additionally, I monitor the work of our stakeholder teams when they have deliverables that are needed to support the product development process such as user training, contract negotiations, marketing campaigns, implementation support, etcetera."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Leadership
27. Please describe your experience managing remote teams.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some companies have teams composed of resources that work from multiple locations. Interviewers ask this question to evaluate a candidate's ability to lead and facilitate in a virtual team setting.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include leadership experience from roles outside of project or program management. Interviewers value experience leading architectural, analytical, design, development, implementation, and support initiatives even if the work was not directly tied to a program manager role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current role as a program manager, I manage a portfolio of solutions that are developed by four cross-functional teams that are all currently remote. My clients are remote as well. I am responsible for facilitating strategic planning sessions and high-level design and integration discussions. I also work directly with our project managers, product managers, and engineering managers to ensure our teams are properly aligned and following the methodology standards.
One of the areas of focus for my work in my role is monitoring the efficiency of our teams and ensuring that we were connecting properly to resolve issues as quickly as possible. I put a number of standard operating procedures in place to ensure we are able to be as effective away from the office as in person. For example, I ask our team members to consider the needs of any of their coworkers first thing every day and communicate those needs as early as possible. This change helped set clear expectations, helped team members structure their days, and reduced delays."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Situational
28. How would you add value within your first sixty days after being hired?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Program managers are expected to create efficiencies and add value to the programs they manage. Additionally, program managers are expected to be able to make quick program assessments and develop tactical and strategic plans for change. Interviewers ask this question to ensure the candidate they select has a clear plan for how they will benefit the teams they work with shortly after they are hired.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe a process for adding value to the teams you will be assigned to as well as the customers or stakeholders you will be working with. It can also be helpful to demonstrate how your specific expertise will benefit the business operations of the area you will be assigned if that information is known prior to your interview. Finally, be sure to communicate a sense of humility within your response. Program managers are expected to be able to lead quickly, but it is important to take the time to learn how the new teams, stakeholders, and customers operate before driving change.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"One of the first things I would do upon arrival is to learn as much as I can about the line of business I will be supporting, the teams I will be working with and the customers or stakeholders I will serve. I typically use a mix of research, interviews, shadowing, and observation in my approach to this. The information I gather during this process helps to ensure that I understand the goals of the organization, the program, and the projects involved.
Additionally, I work quickly to identify an area where I can be of immediate service to my team. Sometimes I have expertise in an area they need help with, and sometimes they just need someone to take smaller tasks and run with them. I find this help alleviate pain within teams that are overworked, and it helps me to get to know the teams and systems I will be working with.
Finally, I dedicate time to getting to know the people I will be working with. I use these informal check-ins to mostly listen and learn. They help to establish lines of communication and trust. Developing strong relationships is a key aspect of program management and I like to begin that process on day one."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Situational
29. Describe a time when you were asked to step in to rescue a failing project or program.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some program managers are hired specifically to rescue programs that are perceived as failing by their stakeholders or customers. Interviewers who ask this question are interested to identify program managers with experience turning failures into success stories.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the previous state and the specific actions you took to turn things around. Also, include metrics to show the impact your actions had if applicable. Interviewers appreciate candidates that can clearly demonstrate the level of change they were able to create.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I currently work for a major retail company that has purchased a number of suppliers and distributor companies over the course of my time working there. The process of integrating disparate systems through the merger and acquisition process can be difficult.
I was asked to step in and lead a program of projects to replace the inventory management system within the warehouses of an acquired company. The owners of the company were ready for the change, but their management and staff were upset about their company being purchased. They were located in a small town and felt like our company represented values that were out of alignment with theirs. The program to replace the inventory systems was not on track and the senior stakeholders expressed a lack of confidence in our senior leadership. That is when I was asked to take over.
I immediately facilitated a session to hear the concerns of the stakeholders involved. I let them know that while I worked for their parent company, I was invested in establishing a collaborative environment to find the best way forward. I did my best to remain neutral and listen to their concerns. They felt strongly that the communication they had previously received was poor and that they were being given orders as opposed to being led through a transition. Additionally, they felt they had several critical customization needs that were overlooked during the program discovery process.
I apologized for the issues of the past and partnered with them to establish a communication plan that would better suit their needs. They appreciated the opportunity to collaborate and the communication issues were resolved immediately. I also assigned a senior architect and analyst to work with them to better understand the processes that would require customization. We were able to define the must-have features that were necessary, and I worked with our senior product managers to ensure they were incorporated properly within our roadmaps.
These two actions demonstrated that my teams were willing to address the concerns of our new co-workers and take quick action. The program was back on track within a two-month period, and we met the operational and strategic goals of the original program even with the addition of the custom features necessary for success."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Situational
30. How do you get up to speed on a large domain of work and develop a plan to move forward?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You may be asked this question in an interview to assess your ability to quickly make progress with limited knowledge and resources. Interviewers are interested to know your processes for driving out scope details while you work to gain the trust of key stakeholders and make tactical changes.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to offer examples of how you would gather a broad scope of information by conducting largely facilitated sessions or using surveys. Also, remember to mention how you would add immediate value through the implementation of quick-hit opportunities.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"Clients often want to get moving as quickly as possible and do not have the desire to wait while all of the details are figured out. In this case, I usually request to facilitate a vision and goal-setting session with as many stakeholders as possible. During that time, I try to gather as wide a perspective as possible on what is working, what is broken, and what the high-level solution expectations are. From there, I lean on my experience and intuition to determine where the project managers, analysts, and other seniors within the program I am assigned need to dig further and which areas we can leave at a cursory review.
I establish relationships with the stakeholders as I go by taking them to lunch or calling them to brainstorm ideas. I also encourage members of the teams I am leading to shadow front-line users in the areas that will be affected the most by whatever strategy we follow. I immediately implement any tactical changes that require minimal resources. This helps me to quickly gain trust with the stakeholders. That trust is imperative when I present a recommendation because it allows me to be transparent about the areas we did not have time to analyze fully before we begin work on the associated projects."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Situational
31. Describe a time in which you had to address work-quality issues with an individual on a team you were responsible for.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Performance-related conflicts can be difficult to manage and program managers are often required to intervene when these issues arise. Interviewers ask this question to gain insight into a candidate's approach to handling sensitive performance situations.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Remember To
Remember to offer what you did personally to resolve the scenario you describe. If possible, select a scenario in which there was a positive outcome.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current role as a program manager, I have indirect oversight over the engineers on our product development teams. The engineers do not report to me directly, but I provide feedback on their performance and help to manage their workloads. There was a senior engineer on one of my teams who constantly underperformed. He frequently missed deadlines and his work typically needed revision. I met with his manager to discuss the problem and he informed me that he would handle it.
Months went by and the issue was not addressed. The junior engineers on the team were frustrated because they were being paid less and were asked to do more to pick up the slack. I decided to have a conversation with the senior engineer directly. I let him know that his work quality was an issue and that the other members of the team were struggling with it. I explained how the problem impacted the team, our goals, and our customers. He was shocked and went on to tell me that he was anticipating a promotion soon.
I let him know that his manager was also aware of the performance issues and that it would be unlikely for him to be promoted anytime soon. I assured him that I knew he was talented and that he might be able to land the position he wanted within another team or company if his goal was to move up quickly.
He took some time to think and ended up finding a role in another company he was a perfect fit. He was able to secure the leadership role he wanted in a team that focused on technology he had solid expertise in. He thanked me for my honesty and for supporting him while he found a better fit. Additionally, his open spot made room for one of the junior engineers who had taken on extra work and served as a leader to be promoted. The team was pleased with the overall result."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2022
Situational
32. Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality due to budgetary, resource, or time constraints.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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 3rd, 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 3rd, 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 touch-points 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 3rd, 2022
Tough
33. Why should we hire you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question primarily because it is difficult to answer and helps them identify candidates who do well under pressure. For a program manager, the intent goes further. This question is a direct test of your ability to market yourself - a skill that speaks directly to your ability to communicate effectively with the executives, clients, vendors, or peers you will likely work with as a program manager.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Remember To
Remember to provide a well-organized and compelling response. Program managers should be able to effectively communicate several important points, provide supporting details, and wrap up a message with ease. Make sure that your response is easy to follow and provides the information necessary to convince your interviewer that you're worth hiring.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Answer Example
"XYZ Company should hire me because I have deep program management experience within your industry, I am an open and direct leader with the ability to influence others, and my values are in alignment with the mission and values of your company.
I have over 10 years of experience in the ABC industry working in a variety of roles. I know how things work operationally and I am familiar with your customers. I have a well-developed project and program management toolkit, and I am comfortable managing more than one large-scale project concurrently.
I am a leader that believes in open and honest communication. My ability to connect with others in an empathetic and direct way helps me resolve issues and collaborate with my teammates, leadership, and customers effectively.
Finally, I believe you should hire me because I genuinely believe in the mission of your company. I am in direct alignment with your values of X, Y, and Z and I am excited to become a contributing member of your team."
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Tough
34. Why do you want a career as a program manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer wants to identify candidates who will be motivated and fulfilled in their work as a program manager. They are invested in hiring a candidate who is excited about the work and prepared to invest in their own success. Finally, not all program manager roles are equal and your interviewer wants to make sure that your expectations align with the role they have to offer.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Remember To
Remember to describe how the role of program manager serves both your short-term and long-term professional goals. It often takes time for a program manager to learn the business they support, establish relationships with their teams, and gain the trust of their customers. Your chances of winning the job will increase if you convince your interviewer that the role has more to offer you than a short-term professional win.
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023
Answer Example
"I want a career as a program manager because the role is in direct alignment with my short and long-term professional goals. It allows me to utilize my foundational project management skills while applying those concepts at a larger scale. It also affords me new experiences and challenges that will help me grow as a leader. Finally, the position offers the experience needed for exciting future career progression opportunities that are appealing to me."
Written by Karrie Day on December 18th, 2023