Top Senior Project Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Senior Project Manager interview by going through these most asked Senior Project Manager interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: How will you assess the existing site?
  • Question Overview: As a senior product manager, you will be responsible for assessing the current state of a website or application. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they will evaluate the current state of the product and how they will determine what needs to be fixed.

    Sample Answer: I will use the Pareto principle to determine what 20% of the issues are causing 80% of the problems. I will then focus on fixing those issues first.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Critical thinking skills
    • - Ability to assess a product
    • - Problem-solving skills

  • Question: What will you do if your timelines are crunched from 4 weeks to 4 days?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations. The applicant's response will help you gauge how well they can handle unexpected changes and if they are able to remain focused on the task at hand.

    Sample Answer: In my last position, we were given a one-week deadline to complete a project. I was able to get the team together and we were able to complete the project on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in oneself
    • - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    • - Problem-solving skills

  • Question: How do you handle negative people on the team?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with negative people and know how to handle them in a professional manner. The applicant's response will help you gauge their ability to deal with difficult people and how they handle stressful situations.

    Sample Answer: I always try to remain positive when dealing with negative people. I know that they are likely having a bad day and do not mean to be rude. I try to find out what is bothering them and work with them to resolve the issue.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    • - Problem-solving skills
    • - Confidence in oneself

  • Question: If you were in the elevator with the Mayor, what is one project that would help economic development?
  • Question Overview: As a product manager, you should be aware of the current state of your industry and what is going on in the world. The ideal candidate will be able to think on their feet and come up with a project that would help the local economy.

    Sample Answer: If I was in an elevator with the mayor, I would suggest that we create a mobile application that allows citizens to report issues in their neighborhoods. This would allow the city to fix problems faster and increase citizen satisfaction.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to think on one's feet
    • - Excellent communication skills
    • - Knowledge of the local economy

  • Question: What kind of contribution can you make as a PM?
  • Question Overview: Product managers are responsible for the success of a product. The ideal applicant will have the ability to explain how they can help the company succeed and how they will be able to contribute to the company's bottom line.

    Sample Answer: I can help increase sales by creating a product that is easy to use and meets the needs of my customers. I can also help reduce costs by finding ways to cut down on expenses and improve efficiency.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in one's abilities
    • - Ability to work with others
    • - Passion for the job

  • Question: How would you deal with a client who is constantly changing the requirements of the project?
  • Question Overview: Clients can be demanding and it is the responsibility of a project manager to ensure that the client's needs are met. The ideal candidate will have experience with clients who are constantly changing their minds and how they respond to such situations.

    Sample Answer: In my last position, the client was constantly changing their mind about what they wanted. I would sit down with them and explain that we could not continue to work on the project until they were sure of what they wanted.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    • - Problem-solving skills
    • - Ability to communicate clearly

  • Question: What is your experience with kanban?
  • Question Overview: Kanban is a method of managing work that is often used in agile environments. The ideal candidate will have experience with the method and be able to explain how it works.

    Sample Answer: I have been using kanban for the past two years. I find it to be a great way to keep track of tasks and ensure that they are completed on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with kanban
    • - Knowledge of the method
    • - Ability to explain how it works

  • Question: Why do you want to work with us?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have researched the company and know why they are interested in working for the organization. The applicant's response will help you determine if they are truly interested in the company or if they are just looking for a job.

    Sample Answer: I have been interested in your company for years and would love to work with your team. I am a huge fan of your products and believe that I can bring value to your organization.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the industry
    • - Interest in the company's mission
    • - Desire to work with a specific team

  • Question: Please give an analogy, or explanation, of how you would describe Project Management to a 5 year old.
  • Question Overview: Project managers are responsible for many different tasks and it is important to be able to explain the role to others. The ideal candidate will be able to explain the role in a way that is easy for others to understand.

    Sample Answer: I would explain that project managers are like the coaches of a sports team. They are responsible for making sure that everyone is working together and staying on track.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to communicate with others
    • - Creativity
    • - Confidence in oneself

  • Question: Why do you want to be a project manager?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a passion for the field of project management and will be able to explain why they want to be a project manager. Do they mention the ability to work with different teams?

    Sample Answer: I have always been interested in the way people work together to complete a project. I want to be a project manager because I want to help others succeed and ensure that projects are completed on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the field of project management
    • - Ability to work with different teams
    • - Desire to help others

  • Question: How much experience do you have in IT project management?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in IT project management and have the ability to explain how they have used their skills to ensure that projects were completed on time.

    Sample Answer: I have been managing IT projects for over five years. I have experience with both small and large projects and have learned how to manage each one effectively.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with IT project management
    • - Ability to manage multiple projects at once
    • - Experience working in a fast-paced environment

  • Question: How do you work with others?
  • Question Overview: Product managers are often in charge of working with others to ensure that a product is successful. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and be able to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds.

    Sample Answer: I am able to work with others because I am confident in my abilities and am always willing to listen to others' ideas. I also have a strong ability to communicate and am able to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to communicate with others
    • - Confidence in oneself
    • - Problem-solving skills

  • Question: What is the critical path?
  • Question Overview: The critical path is the most important part of a project. The ideal applicant will be able to explain how they would determine the critical path for a project and how they would ensure that it is completed on time.

    Sample Answer: The critical path is the most important part of a project. It is the set of tasks that must be completed in order for the project to be finished. I would determine the critical path by looking at the tasks that are most time consuming and then ensuring that they are completed on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Critical thinking skills
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks
    • - Problem-solving skills

  • Question: What are the release numbers for each SAP module you have experience?
  • Question Overview: SAP is a software company that offers a variety of products for different industries. The ideal applicant will have experience with multiple modules and be able to discuss the differences between them.

    Sample Answer: I have experience with the following modules: SAP ERP, SAP CRM, SAP SCM, and SAP HANA. Answer: I have experience with the following modules: SAP ERP, SAP CRM, and SAP SCM.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with multiple modules
    • - Knowledge of the industry
    • - Ability to adapt to new technologies

  • Question: How would you determine the project requirements for a process development project?
  • Question Overview: A process development project is one that is used to develop a new process or product. The ideal applicant will have experience with such projects and be able to explain how they would go about determining the requirements for such a project.

    Sample Answer: I would start by interviewing the engineers on the team to determine what they need from the project. I would then ask them to create a list of all the steps that are needed to complete the project.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Critical thinking skills
    • - Experience with process development projects
    • - Ability to work with engineers

  • Question: Tell me about a project that you have managed and the steps you took to see that project completed.
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience managing projects and be able to explain how they were able to see them through to completion. Did they have a team of engineers working on the project? Did they have to deal with multiple stakeholders?

    Sample Answer: In my last position, I had a team of engineers working on a project that was behind schedule. I was able to get the team back on track by delegating tasks and setting up weekly meetings to ensure that everyone was on the same page.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to delegate tasks
    • - Problem-solving skills
    • - Critical thinking skills

  • Question: How would you make an immediate impact to the department/company?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have the ability to make a positive impact on the company from day one. The applicant's response will let you know if they are aware of the importance of making a good first impression and if they are able to do so.

    Sample Answer: I would immediately start working with the team to ensure that we are all on the same page and working towards the same goals. I would also work with other departments to ensure that we are all working together towards a common goal.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to make a positive impact on the company
    • - Confidence in oneself
    • - Ability to work well with others

  • Question: How would you assess the health and status of X project?
  • Question Overview: As a senior project manager, you are responsible for knowing the status of all projects. The ideal candidate will be able to assess the health of a project based on the information you provide.

    Sample Answer: I would assess the health of the project by looking at the current backlog and determining what is being worked on and what is not. If there are no items on the backlog, I would ask the team if they are able to work on anything else.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Critical thinking skills
    • - Ability to assess a project's health
    • - Problem-solving skills

  • Question: How do you approach a project already in progress?
  • Question Overview: There is a lot of work that goes into a project before it is released to the public. The ideal applicant will have experience with projects that are already in progress and have the ability to take over the project and keep it on track.

    Sample Answer: I would review the current progress of the project and determine what needs to be done to keep it on track. I would then meet with the team members and determine what they need to complete their tasks.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to take over projects
    • - Experience with taking over projects
    • - Ability to work with other team members

  • Question: What is your expected salary?
  • Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a salary range in mind and be able to explain why they are seeking a certain amount. Does the applicant mention that they are seeking a salary that is competitive with other companies?

    Sample Answer: I am looking for a salary of $80,000 to $90,000. This is based on the fact that I am seeking a position with a company that offers competitive pay.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in oneself
    • - Ability to negotiate