What kinds of project management software do you use and why?
Talk to the interviewer about the software that you like and why. You'll also want to show that you stay current on new tools and programs so consider mentioning how you educate yourself in this area. Finally, be sure to mention any experience you have using administration functions or defining project management practices and workflows within the tools you describe.
To avoid pigeonholing yourself in case the company uses a different program than the one you prefer, let the interviewer know you are a quick learner and comfortable using different programs. You may be able to find out which project management software the company uses before your interview. If so, familiarize yourself with the features and speak to your experience working with similar solutions.
"I am always open to trying new programs because they are so helpful when I'm running a project, in many cases helping me to communicate my expectations and keeping everyone on the same page in terms of deadlines and responsibilities. Having said that, though, my favorite project management program right now is Smartsheet. I like it because it's similar to Excel, which I'm used to working in, but it performs complicated formulas across multiple pages for me. It also shows tasks in Gantt, calendar, and card views, and notifies everyone in real-time if I make any changes. So I really like using Smartsheet, but I also have experience in using monday.com, Zoho Projects, Basecamp, and Trello and I stay up on industry blogs in case other tools come along that look useful to me."
While it is entirely possible to manage a project using a well-maintained spreadsheet, many companies require the use of software solutions that support project management. Some integrated systems (Jira, Monday, Wrike, etc.) also support other important business functions such as forecasting, purchasing, sales, CRM, product development, and team communication. Additionally, some project management tools are developed specifically for the industry they support (IT, construction, marketing, etc.)
Your interviewer asks this question to learn more about your experience managing project information within these important tools. The more experience you have leveraging the features they offer, the easier your onboarding process will be if hired.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Part of the benefit of being an Independent contractor is working in different environments and businesses that use a wide variety of Project Management Software. I have used a wide variety of tools throughout my work experience, but I particularly like JIRA due to its integrated project management tools in addition to its defect and release management capabilities, which I find extremely useful for Agile / Lean projects. Additionally, Smartsheets is another favorite as it looks and feels like Excel, however, it does a great job of organizing tasks, and allows me to not only manage the day-to-day tasks on the project but also provides solid reporting tools for Stakeholders.
Amanda's Feedback
I'm very impressed! You are doing such a great job answering these questions thoroughly and with specific examples while remaining concise. With this answer, the interviewer should be able to tell that you're comfortable using multiple software tools, which showcases your adaptability and makes it clear that you're a valuable candidate.
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