A project manager is a professional responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. 

Project managers oversee a project's entire lifecycle, from initiating and planning to implementing, monitoring and controlling, and closing.

Some of the critical responsibilities of a project manager include the following:

• Defining project scope and objectives: The project manager defines the project's goals, objectives, and deliverables and develops a plan to achieve them.
• Planning project activities: The project manager develops a detailed project plan, including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.
• Leading the project team: The project manager assigns tasks to team members and ensures they have the resources and support needed to complete their work.
• Monitoring project progress: The project manager tracks project milestones and improvement and adjust the project plan as necessary.
• Communicating with stakeholders: The project manager keeps stakeholders informed about project status, risks, and issues and works to address any concerns or questions they may have.
• Managing project risks: The project manager identifies potential risks and develops strategies to mitigate or avoid them.
• Closing the project: The project manager ensures that all project deliverables are completed on time and within budget and that any outstanding issues are resolved before the project is closed.

Effective project managers possess various skills, including leadership, communication, problem-solving, time management, and organisational skills. 

They must be able to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including team members, clients, and vendors.

Project Manager interview

Here are some common project manager interview questions and tips on how to answer them:

What is your project management experience?

You can answer this question by discussing your previous project management roles and responsibilities. Be specific about the types of projects you have managed, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. If you're new to project management, discuss any relevant experience you have in leadership, planning, or problem-solving.

What is your project management methodology?

Be prepared to discuss your project management methodology, whether Agile, Waterfall, or a hybrid approach. Explain how you tailor your methods to fit the specific needs of each project and provide examples of how you have successfully used them to manage projects in the past.

How do you handle changes to project scope or timelines?

This is a common challenge in project management, so be prepared to discuss your approach to handling changes to project scope or timelines. Explain how you communicate changes to stakeholders, assess the impact of the changes, and adjust the project plan to accommodate them.

How do you motivate and manage project team members?

Managing project team members requires various skills, including communication, motivation, and leadership. Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing team members, including how you delegate tasks, provide feedback and support, and motivate team members to achieve their goals.

What is your approach to risk management?

Risk management is essential, so be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying, assessing, and managing project risks. Explain how you involve stakeholders in the risk management process, prioritise risks, and develop risk mitigation strategies.

How do you measure project success?

Measuring project success requires clear goals and metrics, so be prepared to discuss how you define success for each project. Explain how you develop metrics, track progress tools, and communicate project success to stakeholders.

How do you handle conflicts or issues within a project team?

Managing conflicts and issues within a project team is essential for project managers. Be prepared to discuss your approach to resolving disputes, including how you communicate with team members, gather information to understand the situation and work to find solutions that satisfy all parties.

How do you manage project budgets and finances?

Managing project budgets and finances is an essential aspect of project management. Be prepared to discuss your approach to developing project budgets, how you track project expenses and costs, and how you adjust the budget to address any issues that arise.

Can you provide an example of a successful project you managed and the key factors that contributed to its success?

Providing an example of a successful project you managed is a great way to demonstrate your project management skills and experience. Be prepared to discuss the project goals, timelines, budget, and key deliverables, as well as the factors that contributed to its success, such as effective communication, strong leadership, and a solid project plan.

How do you prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects at once?

Managing multiple projects and prioritising tasks is a common challenge for project managers. Be prepared to discuss your approach to prioritising tasks, including identifying critical path items and allocating resources based on project needs. Explain how you manage competing priorities and deadlines to ensure each project is completed on time and within budget.

Can you describe when you had to pivot the project plan and how you managed it?

Pivoting a project plan is sometimes necessary due to unforeseen circumstances or changes in project requirements. Be prepared to discuss when you had to pivot a project plan, including how you communicated the change, assessed the impact, and adjusted the project plan to accommodate it.

How do you ensure project team members meet deadlines and deliver quality work?

Project management must ensure that project team members meet deadlines and deliver quality work. Be prepared to discuss your approach to monitoring project progress, including tracking deadlines and deliverables, communicating progress to stakeholders, and ensuring that project team members meet quality standards.

Can you describe a time when you had to manage a project with a remote team? How did you ensure effective communication and collaboration?

Managing a remote team can present unique challenges for project managers. Be prepared to discuss a time when you had to work on a project with a remote team, including how you ensured effective communication and collaboration, managed time zone differences, and fostered a sense of team cohesion despite physical distance.

How do you approach stakeholder management?

Stakeholder management is an essential aspect of project management. Explain how you prioritise stakeholder needs and ensure that their feedback and concerns are addressed. Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying stakeholders, communicating with them throughout the project lifecycle, and managing their expectations.

Can you provide an example of a project that didn't go as planned? What did you learn from that experience?

Projects sometimes go differently than planned, and learning from these experiences is essential. Be prepared to discuss a project that didn't go as planned, including the challenges you faced, how you responded to those challenges, and what you learned from the experience. Explain how you used that knowledge to improve your project management skills and processes.

How do you approach project documentation and reporting?

Project documentation and reporting is an essential aspects of project management. Explain how you ensure project documentation is accurate and up-to-date and communicate project status and progress to stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your approach to creating project documentation, such as project plans, schedules, and status reports.

How do you ensure project goals align with the organisation's strategic objectives?

Project managers must ensure that project goals align with the organisation's strategic objectives. Be prepared to discuss your approach to aligning project goals with the organisation's strategic objectives, including how you identify and prioritise strategic objectives and align project goals and deliverables to meet those objectives.

Project Manager interview questions: Tips

Preparing for a project manager interview can be challenging, but there are several tips you can follow to help you feel more confident and prepared:

• Research the company and the project: Learn as much as possible about the organisation and the project you will manage. This will help you understand the company's culture, goals, and expectations and demonstrate your interest in the role.
• Review common project manager interview questions: Reviewing common interview questions can help you prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your project management skills and experience. Practice your answers with a friend or family member to help you feel more confident.
• Be prepared to provide specific examples: Interviewers may ask you to provide specific examples of how you have handled various project management scenarios. Be ready to provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills and experience.
• Demonstrate your leadership skills: Project managers need strong leaders who motivate and inspire their teams to deliver high-quality work. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style, how you encourage your team, and how you handle conflicts and issues.
• Highlight your communication skills: Effective communication is critical to project management success. Be prepared to discuss how you communicate with stakeholders, team members, and other project managers. Explain how you ensure everyone is on the same page and understands project goals and expectations.
• Showcase your problem-solving skills: Project managers must be able to identify problems and develop solutions that keep the project on track. Be prepared to discuss your problem-solving skills and how you have used them to resolve project issues.

Remember to be confident, enthusiastic, and professional during your interview. Good luck!