MockQuestions

Project Manager Mock Interview

Question 18 of 50 for our Project Manager Mock Interview

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

Question 18 of 50

What is the most important skill that a project manager needs to be successful?

Given that project managers use and rely on many different skills, there are several ways you can answer this question. Let the interviewer know what skill you believe is most important to your job - whether it be related to organization, communication, negotiation, leadership, or time management - and back up your opinion with a related example if possible.

Consider researching the interviewing company's approach to project management or trends in project management before your interview if you are struggling to decide on a front-runner for your response. For example, a recent Project Management Institute report titled ' PMI Pulse of the Profession 2023' cited communication as the top skill for project managers followed closely by problem-solving, collaborative leadership, and strategic thinking. Responses in alignment with any of those skills are likely to resonate with your interviewer.

Next Question

How to Answer: What is the most important skill that a project manager needs to be successful?

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

  • 18. What is the most important skill that a project manager needs to be successful?

      How to Answer

      Given that project managers use and rely on many different skills, there are several ways you can answer this question. Let the interviewer know what skill you believe is most important to your job - whether it be related to organization, communication, negotiation, leadership, or time management - and back up your opinion with a related example if possible.

      Consider researching the interviewing company's approach to project management or trends in project management before your interview if you are struggling to decide on a front-runner for your response. For example, a recent Project Management Institute report titled ' PMI Pulse of the Profession 2023' cited communication as the top skill for project managers followed closely by problem-solving, collaborative leadership, and strategic thinking. Responses in alignment with any of those skills are likely to resonate with your interviewer.

      Written by Karrie Day on April 23rd, 2023

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      Your interviewer wants to know what you believe is your most important skill as a project manager and why. Your answer will help them to determine if your beliefs are in alignment with the project management culture of their company.

      Written by Karrie Day on April 23rd, 2023

      1st Answer Example

      "There are many different skills that I use to do my job well. For example, I need to be able to communicate clearly to different groups and types of people. It's also imperative that I be a strong leader who can motivate and inspire others. I also need to be capable of overseeing budgets, negotiating with vendors, and managing my time and resources. But I personally think that the most important skill I possess in terms of this position is my ability to be organized. I recently worked on a large project with lots of moving parts; I remained organized throughout the entire process, managing the timeline, client and sponsor expectations, the budget, and team responsibilities, and in the end, completed it successfully."

      Written by Marcie Wilmot on January 5th, 2021

      2nd Answer Example

      "Organization is probably the top skill. Oftentimes as a Project Manager, I have numerous projects going at the same time and that really makes it challenging for someone that lacks organizational skills. The attention to detail also suffers when you aren't able to organize, and project manage the project and yourself."

      Written by Jessica H. on May 9th, 2023

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "I believe a successful project manager needs many skills, but being adept in planning and execution is crucial as these two skills can make or break the project. The planning phase list out the tasks needed to complete the project and the execution phase allows the PM to communicate project effectiveness to all stakeholders. If the PM does not carry these skills the project is bound to fail."

      Stephanie's Feedback

      It is clear that you have a strong understanding of project management and the skills needed to be successful. To improve your response, I would suggest closing out your answer with a growth mindset (for example: "If a PM has these skills, they will be successful," rather than "If the PM does not carry these skills, the project is bound to fail." Some interviewers may be specifically looking for a solution-focused response.
      Show More Answers
  • 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