I have a few favorite questions and variations on them that I like to ask in an interview. One of them is "If you were assigned a project at a new organization with no framework or process, how would you approach your project, and what would you give initial focus".
(Incidentally this is not the scenario at my organization. It's a theoretical question)
There are so-called PM because they can use MS Project and create a nice Gantt Chart. Do you belong in that category? If not, explain.
Eduard,
I like what you're trying to learn from the question. I think the wording is a bit of a giveaway, however. By saying 'so-called', it implies that you're not in agreement, I think, and leads them to know the type of answer they should give? :) I may be wrong. Saving Changes...
Yvette CapitaInformation Systems Manager| BROWARD COUNTY - ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SERVICESPlantation, Fl, United States
A great question is, "how did you get into the field of project management? and, how have you grown as a project manager since then? Saving Changes...
Darryn DauthProject Manager| IQ RetailCape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Mine would be:
"In 5 minutes or less, tell me how you initiate, manage and close a project."
It will allow me to catch a glimpse on which areas of Project Management stand out most for the individual. I personally would like to see a lot of thinking and planning in the initial stages, as opposed to monitoring and controlling. Saving Changes...
Don WhiteProcess Engineer| Independent IT ConsultantManassas, Va, United States
Describe the most insightful lesson learned you've experienced from a project that you personally managed. Saving Changes...
Hau Doan HuuAsst CEO in IT and DX, cum DCIO| Vietnam PostHanoi, Hanoi, Viet Nam
"To interview PMs" shows that your organization needs some more human resources with expertise in some fields like: (project) management skills, technical skills, domain experiences, etc... for specific situation/ project. Thus, it's not easy to ask only one question to qualify them. But, one of my favorite questions is "How do you think you are the most suitable candidate for this position?". It requires the interviewees show all their competencies, their understanding about organization as well as this position's requirements, and other directly involved issues. Saving Changes...
Christian CummingsOperations Manager| King Technologies, IncMount Pleasant, Sc, United States
"Tell me about one of your projects that was not a success. Give me all the reasons it was not a successful project?" I ask this question on every single interview. It tells me a lot about a person. Anyone that answers with "I have never managed a project that failed." is a definite do not hire. Anyone that places the blame on the project sponsor, major stakeholder, or his/her own organizational shortcomings is a do not hire. I want someone that is not afraid to admit failure AND can explain the lessons learned on how that has led to subsequent successful projects. Saving Changes...
Question:
How do you manage customer expectation when the customer is very demanding?
OR
An issue reported by customer is actually a CR, but customer is saying that it was a part of scope of project. What would be your approach in correcting the customer? And what if customer do not accept your explanation? Saving Changes...
Building on Christian's approach, the standard question I used to ask when hiring PMs was "What's the most important PM lesson you learned the hard way, how did it impact your project, and how have you applied it since then?"
Kiron
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1 reply by Eric Simms
Nov 30, 2017 2:13 PM
Eric Simms
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Good question.
Saving Changes...
Tim PodestaDirector of PM/PMO| Former BP- now IndependentPenn, Bucks, United Kingdom
Tell me about your most challenging project, what worked well and what did not and what did you learn from it?
That would be my question and I would listen for evidence of good project management competencies. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Tell me; how fast you can run from your stakeholders when things go wrong and they are angry? Saving Changes...
