Interview Preparation

Do you have any tips to help prepare for an upcoming project manager interview?

Are there common interview questions that come up again and again?

Go to your local library and check out a book-on-CD called "Primal Leadership'. Listen to it while you drive around. A good study and familiarity of this book will prepare you for any non-industry-specific management questions and it will give you a primer on what management styles work best in what situations.

Be able to represent not only your past successes, but also your failures. As a PM hiring manager, I care more about what candidates have taken away from their failures, as opposed to their successes. Honestly, I question when a candidate highlights their continued success at coming in on time, budget and acceptable quality measures; this is not reality.
Be confident, be honest, and ensure you highlight your leadership capabilities. Remember, a good PM is the CEO of the project.
Good luck.

Host said: Do you have any tips to help prepare for an upcoming project manager interview?

Are there common interview questions that come up again and again?

Remember to note your strengths as well as your weaknesses or areas to improve. Stress team efforts, never I: always we or the team. General answers or generic rehearsed are a no.no. Be honest....

In addition to the recommendations already stated, you will need to communicate why they should hire you. Selling yourself or branding is what will separate you from the rest of the pack. Look for opporunities to give examples of how you have overcome challenges by seeing them as opportunities to resolve or address the issue at hand.

Discuss how you can assert yourself as a leader and a team player when appropriate.

Questions that maybe asked:
1. What is one of your most challenging projects? What made it challenging? How did you overcome the challenge?
2. Provide examples when you were required to use your negotiation skills?
3. How do you engage a new team member when you your project is well underway?

Theory is great to keep in our hip pocket, but potential employers want to know how you applied your education to the "real world".

Good Luck!

Robert Holland in Littleton, Colorado said: Go to your local library and check out a book-on-CD called "Primal Leadership'. Listen to it while you drive around. A good study and familiarity of this book will prepare you for any non-industry-specific management questions and it will give you a primer on what management styles work best in what situations.

This is an excellent book. Was required to read it in my graduate course in Strategic Leadership.