Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Mar 19, 2018 9:48 PM
Replying to Eric Simms
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I think the interviewer might have meant to say "What one skill does a Project Manager need, without which s/he cannot succeed?" The interviewer might have wanted you to name a key skill without which a PM cannot be successful.
If interpreted this way, my answer to this question would be 'communication'.
I would agree on this but this is a totally different question.
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1 reply by Eric Simms
Mar 20, 2018 10:05 AM
Eric Simms
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True. That breakdown in communication is what caused Kevin problems. The interviewer thought he was saying one thing, but he conveyed a different meaning entirely.
Saving Changes...
Dr.Vijayakumar RamasamySenior Project Manager| RnD Project Management/NPIKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mar 19, 2018 6:43 PM
Replying to Kevin Drake
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I answered in a similar way, but the interviewer did not like it.
Typically interviewers don't accept those open ended answers. Saving Changes...
Dr.Vijayakumar RamasamySenior Project Manager| RnD Project Management/NPIKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The interviewer might had other motive in asking such tricky question. However, the answer could be something like interpersonal skills as a PM needs to manage people from all levels of ranks. The answer should come with an elaboration and possible an example.
Put aside the fact/reality that PM requires multiple skills. Saving Changes...
Juan Carlos Gonzales QuirozIngeniero Civil| PROJECTMANAGEMENT 365 SRLCochabamba, Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Dear Kevin: In my opinion, the only skill that ultimately gives success to a professional in project management is to learn from the lessons of past projects. You can have enough knowledge, leadership, management of tools, but if you do not learn from your failures and your successes, you will never succeed in project management. like his philosophy. It is my humble opinion. Saving Changes...
How about "The ability to answer rhetorical questions with a straight face" :-) Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Understandably, the interviewer probably only knows what they know. The key is to answer in line with what they are looking for, either by what you've learned over the course of the interview or by repeating the question back as what you understood was being asked.
But yes, many times there are confusing questions asked. I've certainly had 'uncomfortable' interviews. At the end of the day, you can feel the energy in the room and sometimes there is just simply nothing you can do. Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
Good responses from the group.
My 2 cents is that you need more than one skill to succeed as a project manager and the skill to recognize that you need an array of skills is a skill. If you are asked an off the wall question you have no choice but give an off the wall answer to be consistent with question. Saving Changes...
From my understanding, Leadership is the key to project managers role Saving Changes...
Felix TangFounder and PMO Consultant| EnvlantSingapore, Singapore
Kevin, echoing the sentiments of the other members here, it would seem that the interviewer probably has something in mind (in terms of issue(s) that the company is facing), and thus am looking for an answer that would "fit what they are looking for".
Unless during the interview, you had done enough sensing and gauged where those concerns are, any answer that you'd gave would have been less than satisfactory in their view.
To that end though, I'd say the greatest strength that I have as a project manager? Asking the right questions.
Why?
Ask the right questions - Better stakeholder management
Ask the right questions - Allows you to define project scope
Ask the right questions - Allows you to validate your project activity durations
Ask the right questions - Helps to create a robust risk management plan
Ask the right questions - Develops a better procurement strategy
Ask the right questions - Allows me to know what issues you are facing as a company, and how I as a project manager can help you achieve those goals.
Tongue in cheek answer perhaps, which may or may not please the interviewer.
In any case, keep on trying Kevin, and best of luck! Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Mar 19, 2018 10:41 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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I would agree on this but this is a totally different question.
True. That breakdown in communication is what caused Kevin problems. The interviewer thought he was saying one thing, but he conveyed a different meaning entirely.
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