At the mere mention of the word “interview,” many of us get the jitters. This is not surprising as interviews are scary prospects.
Imagine sitting in front of a panel of strangers and answering their questions!
It is enough to make candidates nervous beyond belief! Even the most qualified ones can end up giving the wrong answers to the questions asked.
However, if we keep a few things in mind, we can overcome most of our fears.
We need to bear in mind that even if we end up messing up an interview, it is not the end of the world.
But of course, we need to try our best not to mess things up, which is why it is essential to be prepared for the questions that we will be asked.
This is not as difficult as it sounds. If you know the type of work that you applied for, you can quickly prepare exact answers to the questions that you will be asked.
You can have mock sessions with a friend so that you can get the feel of an interview room and build up your confidence before an interview.
If you are due to appear for an interview for the position of IT project manager, you may be asked some of the following questions:
Related: IT Project Manager Resume
IT Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers
1. What, in your opinion, are the primary responsibilities of an IT project manager?
An IT project manager leads the planning and implementation of an assigned IT project. He/she is responsible for developing a time frame for project completion and ensuring team coordination as the project advances.
He or she is also accountable for test running and analyzing the outcome through various stages of the project lifecycle.
2. Tell me about your experience as an IT project manager?
I have 7+ years of work experience as an IT project manager while I was responsible for managing all phases of assigned projects from start to end.
My last project was an Eclipse-based software application development that earned a profit of $50m at its initial launch in the market.
3. How does your education support you in this role?
My associate’s degree major was IT, and during my coursework, I had three major projects to build from scratch.
I believe that course rendered me well practiced for this profession.
4. Name some skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as an IT project manager?
I would say strong leadership and team motivation skills, analytical thinking, and extensive knowledge of the financial business trends and IT technical know-how.
5. Describe a milestone that you achieved in your career as an IT Project Manager.
I was involved in a project where I had to provide a complete information technology solution to a company operating offshore.
The project had many hindrances and limitations since the corporate office was in another country.
Communication was slow due to the time zone differences, and I did not expect the project to be completed within the set timeframe.
However, things just came together, and my team managed to install the solution three days before our projected deadline. It was a massive success for me and paved the way for future projects of the same nature.
6. What has been your biggest failure as an IT project manager?
In the past, I have been involved in specific projects that have been somewhat beyond my ability to handle. There was one such project in which I was required to provide IT solutions to a company’s business problems.
There was a lot of staff required, as there were many modules that needed to be programmed. I knew that work demand was high but did not manage to procure staff. I lost the project.
Since then, I have been working on performing focused research activities before I take up a project so that I know what I am dealing with.
7. How do you handle an IT team?
My job is to mentor my team to improve their understanding of handling IT projects. I make sure that they are aware of the resources that they will need and understand how to use those resources effectively.
I also ensure that each team member adheres to project management processes and documentation standards.
8. What skills do you think IT project managers need to be successful?
Leadership skills are on top of the list. An IT Project manager needs to be able to motivate his team and communicate with individual team members effectively.
He also needs to be detail-oriented and possess the ability to demonstrate integrity.
9. Name some project and business management tools you are well-practiced in?
I am well versed in MS Project, Screen sheet, SAP, and ERP
10. Why is resource allocation important? How do you typically allocate resources?
Resource allocation regarding time and finances helps you in maintaining control over the project from its initiation to completion. Careful resource allocation is always based on risk analysis.
I talk out the project stakes first with the team and then collectively reach a workable resource allocation of the project considering priority and risk factors.
11. What strategies do you use to keep all stakeholders informed of the project’s progress and status?
I conduct daily short meetings with the team and weekly meetings with the stakeholders for an update.
I also ask my assistant to maintain a visual display of the project development fully updated in my office at all times for the team’s facilitation and ask the members to submit weekly progress reports as well.
12. How do you determine future steps if an unexpected hindrance or problem occurs and puts project completion in jeopardy?
My projects are properly planned, and problems are not very common but no plan is perfect, and if a problem comes up I call a meeting and conduct brainstorming sessions.
Teamwork always pays off and through the pooling of ideas, I decide upon corrective measures to be taken.
13. What closure processes are you accustomed to?
Once the project is done I evaluate it against various parameters and get it approved by the client.
Then I instruct the team to carry out clean-up activities and finally communicate the closure. I also conduct a comprehensive reflection meeting as a part of the closure.