How to Answer: How would you rate your experience delivering presentations?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Project Manager job interview.
14. How would you rate your experience delivering presentations?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some project managers are required to give presentations to important internal and external audiences. For example, project managers who participate in sales often give presentations to client audiences. Their ability to effectively deliver the information of the presentation in a compelling manner can sometimes make or break a major opportunity. Interviewers ask this question to identify candidates who are comfortable presenting to a variety of audiences with a high level of confidence and success.
Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023
How to Answer
Answer this question honestly and confidently. Provide supporting details to justify your response including examples of recent presentations you have given. Companies are more likely to hire you if your answer presentation coincides with the rating you give yourself.
Do not worry if your presentation experience is limited. Rate yourself accordingly and then describe what you believe makes an excellent presentation (relevant details, easy to understand, customized to the audience, excellent graphics, etc.). This will help to convince your interviewer that you know the mechanics of delivering a solid presentation despite your relative lack of experience.
Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023
Experienced Example
"I would rate my experience delivering presentations at a high level. I was responsible for delivering presentations to senior-level stakeholders as an analyst, and I give presentations regularly to internal and external stakeholders as a project manager. I am comfortable developing presentation materials in a variety of formats, and I customize my approach to each audience I work with. I feel confident I can effectively deliver presentations here at XYZ company if selected for the open role."
Written by Karrie Day on April 26th, 2023
About the Author
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