Landing a project manager job often requires more than just technical knowledge. This is because every detail matters when it comes to successfully pulling off a project. One of the key aspects that matters is your behaviour which is why recruiters are keen to know how well you manage real-life situations. Project management behavioral interview questions give the recruiter a chance to see how you handle challenges, lead teams, and solve problems.

According to GoRemotely, there are about 16.5 million project managers in the world and each one of them have a unique set of behaviours which is expressed at work. Behavioral interviews are important because they dig deep into who you are and how you apply your knowledge.

In today’s article, we will take a look at some of the behavioral questions recruiters ask during project management interviews. This article will also cover tips and steps on how to prepare for behavioral interviews, helping you ace them with flair.

Let’s dive in!

HR manager interviewing a male applicant

Behavioural Interview 101

Unlike the traditional questions that aim to check what you know, behavioral questions help a recruiter predict how you would react if a similar case present itself in the future. To ace the questions, you will need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, leadership, and adaptability. To demonstrate all of this efficiently, you need preparation and practice.

Another reason recruiter asks you behavioural interview questions is because they want to check how you make decisions. They also want to assess how you cope with challenges.

Common Project Management Behavioural Interview Questions

We have explained the “what” and the “why” and now let’s look at some of the common questions. Behavioural interview questions are an objective means of evaluation and understanding the types of questions will help you answer in a manner that highlights your strengths.

1. Managing a difficult project

Every recruiter wants to know the limits of your strength which is why they will ask if you’ve ever encountered a difficult project. The question aims to assess how you manage unexpected situations. The question can be “Tell me about a time when a project didn’t go as planned. How did you handle it?” 

To answer, share a specific relevant example of a project that went sideways. Explain how you resolved it and the tools you employed. Ensure to also highlight the lessons you learned too.

2. Decision-making in tight situations

Another popular question is, “Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision. What factors did you consider?” 

When you are asked these kinds of questions, it is crucial to walk your interviewer through your decision-making process. Ensure to mention how you gathered data, weighed pros and cons, and how you communicated the decision. By highlighting these factors, you show your ability to think and act under pressure.

3. Resolving team conflicts

Expect to be asked, “How did you resolve a conflict within your team?” Here, the interviewer wants to know how you manage relationships and maintain a productive team environment. Choose a situation where conflict arose between team members. Explain the steps you took to understand both sides, mediate, and create a solution. Highlight the strategies you used to prevent future conflicts.

4. Prioritizing multiple projects

In project management, juggling several tasks is common. You may be asked, “How do you prioritize tasks when handling multiple projects?” This question evaluates your organizational skills. Discuss how you set priorities, balance deadlines, and delegate responsibilities. Your answer should demonstrate how you manage your time efficiently while ensuring every project stays on track.

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Preparing for a Behavioural Interview as a Project Manager

Like every other interview, it is essential for you to prepare as it is the key to a successful interview. Here’s a breakdown of how you can get ready to take on any behavioural question that is thrown at you:

1. Do your research

Before the interview, make time to look into the company profile and the position you are applying for. Companies have unique goals for every role in their space and you need to understand the company’s culture too. In your research, you also need to check out what they are looking for in a candidate.

This will help you tailor your answers. Review the job description and come up with specific examples of how your skills match the responsibilities and requirements of the job.

Female entrepreneur explaining management strategy

2. Know your resume

For your interview, your resume is the backbone. Your resume was what intrigued the interviewer and made them call you for an interview. Make sure you can explain in detail about each job listed in your resume. Do not leave out the projects you have managed before. 

Refresh your memory on the challenges you encountered while working on past projects, it will help. You should also be ready to explain the skills you used in overcoming those challenges. Practice with your resume and giving in-sync honest responses will make you appear more believable.

3. Practice using the STAR method

STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. The method is a structured manner of responding to behavioural-based interview questions. The method helps you to focus on giving a clear response. To follow through with the model, you have to explain the Situation, the Task you were given to do, the Action you took, and what happened as a result of your action. The STAR model also gives room for you to mention what you learned from the experience.

Tips for Answering Behavioural Interview Questions

In preparing for behavioural interview questions, some essential tips can help you ace the session. Let’s look at some of them:

• Be specific: Avoid vague answers as much as possible. When you are asked about a challenge, provide clear details about what happened and how you were able to scale through it. Avoid unnecessary details.
• Stay authentic: Recruiters appreciate it when you are honest. Do not try to be perfect in your responses to behavioural questions. Instead, admit mistakes and challenges with explanations of how you settled them. This way, you’ll show the recruiter your resilience and the ability to learn from difficult situations.
• Highlight your key learnings: In every response you give, try to mention what you learned from the experience. Do not downplay your experience. Mention it regardless of how trivial it might sound to you. 

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Key Takeaways – Project Management Behavioral Interview Questions

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind for your project management behavioural interview:

• Use real examples to answer the interview questions
• Structure your answers logically using the STAR method
• Research the company and know your resume
• Explain how you resolve conflicts and collaborate with teammates
• Show how you tackle challenges

Project Management Behavioral Interview Questions: The Conclusion

The questions asked during an interview are asked to help the recruiter ascertain your compatibility with the role. This makes behavioural interview questions an essential part of the interview process. To succeed, you need to prepare thoroughly by knowing your resume and researching the company. Additionally, the STAR method will help you answer questions in a structured manner.

Be confident and authentic. Most employers want to see how genuine you are. They want to sense, in your answer, your leadership style. By giving them sufficient examples of your past challenges and how you scaled them, you can prove that you are the right person for the job.