Tobe PhelpsDirector of Digital Experience| Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, Nm, United States
The single best skill as a project manager is conflict resolution. Communication comes in a close second. In the interview recount a time when you were able to successfully resolve a conflict for the betterment of your project. Saving Changes...
My recommendation, first test your interviewer with the answer no only one skill, if he/she is trying to push, you can try with conflict resolution (as @Tobe said), if the interviewer will say "you have to avoid conflicts", my recommendation is "conflict is inevitable in a project" (as per PMBOK 5TH ED), and ask to your interviewer if they are looking a PM or another role in their company. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
No single skill, but communication covers a large gamut. Within the team, stakeholders, cross functional, management, etc. The reports the PM sends out is also communication.
So my answer, if it had to be, would be communication. Second would be the drive to get things done.
It would also be possible to turn that question around, which could start a nice side conversation. The best interviews are conversational, and the more proactive you are as the candidate to help drive the interview along, the better. Most do not like conducting interviews, and come in with a list of questions. If you let them, they tend to just read from the list. Make it easy for them. Saving Changes...
Israel OpeyemiProject Director| Horprah Moore ConceptsIbadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Strategy Saving Changes...
Bill MorganProject Manager| Epic Management L.P. Redlands, CAMoreno Valley, Ca, United States
Your answer made me laugh. Too funny. Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
It's a valid question. The interviewer is asking what the interviewee's best skill is, and understands that a PM needs to draw on a wide range of skills at different times to be successful.
I'd respond that my standout skill was communication, then give examples how I used it to make a significant difference in projects. Saving Changes...
