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Project Manager Mock Interview

Question 46 of 50 for our Project Manager Mock Interview

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

Question 46 of 50

How do you keep a project on track when you feel overwhelmed?

Your interviewer knows that managing a complex project can be very stressful at times. They want to know that you have a well-defined process for coping with the stress they anticipate you will likely experience if you are extended an offer.

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How to Answer: How do you keep a project on track when you feel overwhelmed?

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

  • 46. How do you keep a project on track when you feel overwhelmed?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      Your interviewer knows that managing a complex project can be very stressful at times. They want to know that you have a well-defined process for coping with the stress they anticipate you will likely experience if you are extended an offer.

      Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023

      How to Answer

      Discuss how you proactively manage stress, anxiety, and distractions to ensure they don't negatively impact projects. Show that you can deal with these kinds of feelings while also keeping yourself motivated.

      Keep in mind that your ability to cope well under difficult circumstances speaks to your ability to lead by example. Be sure to include at least one behavior example that you could use alongside your teammates during stressful periods.

      Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023

      Answer Example

      "Large projects have many different moving parts, and this can naturally lead to my feeling overwhelmed at times. I hold myself to a very high standard and sometimes it's challenging to meet this personal standard when I can't necessarily control everything. So I focus on what I CAN control.

      Using project management software is incredibly helpful as it allows me to see if someone hasn't done what they need to do so I can quickly fix the issue before it becomes a larger problem. Knowing that I'll quickly become aware of any hiccups because of the software helps take the pressure off a bit.

      I also work hard to maintain good working relationships with the people around me because I feel less stressed when I know I have a great team working with me to achieve success. I encourage my team to take breaks together, share meals, and take a moment to breathe when stress levels are high. These short periods of downtime help to keep everyone refreshed and refocused on the task at hand."

      Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Large projects can often be complex and require a level-head to manage. This task can feel overwhelming at times, but utilizing the project management tools at my disposal I can keep track of deliverables, tasks, upcoming milestones, and so on which help me focus on those crucial items that are on the critical path. As a project manager, I sometimes hold myself to unrealistic standards, but through experience, I have come to understand that through effective planning and effective team communication we can keep even the most stressful project on track. I had a situation on my last project where a deadline was fast approaching, and several items had failed the previous testing cycle which placed our budget and schedule in jeopardy which was very stressful, however, as a team, we worked hard to identify the key issues and worked to resolve it resulting in an on-time release."

      Amanda's Feedback

      Excellent! You've answered well by sharing that when you feel overwhelmed you face it head-on and use the resources available to transform that stress into action, successfully turning a negative into a positive, to accomplish your goal. You've also given your answer greater impact by sharing a recent example of how you overcame that feeling to achieve a positive result.

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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