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Project Manager Mock Interview

Question 48 of 50 for our Project Manager Mock Interview

Project Manager was updated by on May 9th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 48 of 50

How do you handle conflict between team members?

"To start, I try my best to put together teams of people who are go-getters, skilled at what they do, and collaborative. Right off the bat, this helps prevent conflict. And yet, it's inevitable that sometimes team members won't agree.

My role is to notice when this is happening and provide guidance that emphasizes respect and compromise. I also remind people to listen to each other and try to understand the other person's perspective. I make it a point to meet with the disgruntled parties privately so we can talk honestly without fear of judgment by others. I also help them create a short-term action plan so everyone is on the same page and moving toward the goal of getting along again."

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How to Answer: How do you handle conflict between team members?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Project Manager job interview.

  • 48. How do you handle conflict between team members?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      As a project manager, you need to know how to create, lead, and manage teams. This includes effectively handling any conflict that arises, whether it be between team members or with the project's stakeholders or vendors, so it doesn't derail the project. Your interview asks this question to learn about how you prevent conflicts and manage them if they occur.

      Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023

      How to Answer

      Describe the actions you take to prevent conflicts within your teams. This may include selecting a certain type of team member, establishing ground rules, or leading by example. Next, describe your process for facilitating the resolution of conflict scenarios with your team. Demonstrate your ability to listen to all of the parties involve and act as a mediator invested in finding a valuable path forward. If time permits, you may consider offering a recent example of a conflict you helped to resolve.

      Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023

      Answer Example

      "To start, I try my best to put together teams of people who are go-getters, skilled at what they do, and collaborative. Right off the bat, this helps prevent conflict. And yet, it's inevitable that sometimes team members won't agree.

      My role is to notice when this is happening and provide guidance that emphasizes respect and compromise. I also remind people to listen to each other and try to understand the other person's perspective. I make it a point to meet with the disgruntled parties privately so we can talk honestly without fear of judgment by others. I also help them create a short-term action plan so everyone is on the same page and moving toward the goal of getting along again."

      Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Conflict is inevitable when dealing with multiple resources, but I like to treat it as a learning experience where through compromise and dialog we can understand each other points of view and therefore gain knowledge. Generally, a private meeting between the parties to discuss what the issues are and act as a facilitator with the goal to get everyone back to being productive project team members."

      Amanda's Feedback

      This is a solid foundation you can build on by relating an example of a time when you helped to resolve conflict on your team. Discuss what the problem was, how you approached resolving it, how you were able to work it out, and what the positive outcome was. Using a real-world example shows the interviewer that you have actually put your conflict resolution skills to work in real scenarios.

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    About the Author

    Karrie Day

    I began my professional career as an IT Business Systems Analyst. I enjoyed the role, but I knew early on that I wanted to explore project management after moving through the analyst ranks. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to partner with several talented project managers while I was working to grow my own skill set. I learned a lot from them about how to approach strategic planning, communication, conflict resolution, and how to motivate various personality types to perform their best under pressure. I learned even more from their failures.

    It was clear that project management was as much an art as a science, and I eventually got my shot at taking everything I had observed over the years and blending it into my own style for steering projects and programs successfully. While project management was not my ultimate career goal, I greatly value my time managing projects. I have utilized the skills I worked to refine in project management in every position I have held since. For example, I use the communication, strategic thinking, and tactical planning skills I regularly leaned on as a project manager each time I work with one of my coaching clients.

    Whether working as a project manager is a career goal of yours, or you fell into it through circumstance, you’re in good company. Over 16 million professionals claim the title of project manager, and project management isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the number of project managers is expected to grow by 7% over the next 8 years according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. According to the Project Management Institute, the global outlook is even more impressive boasting up to 33% growth through 2027. Regardless of the specific location, there will likely b a strong demand for project management skill sets in the years to come.

    As a coach and writer for MockQuestions, I want to help you successfully navigate your upcoming interview for a project manager position. While some project manager skills are specific to the industry, location, and types of projects involved, many skills and behavioral traits are universally applicable to project management roles. This article will help any project manager prepare for a successful interview, and I encourage you to check out all of our sets dedicated to project management listed below.

    Learn more about Karrie Day