The traditional project manager role focused on the processes and tools needed to complete a project within a set budget and time frame. It no longer makes best business sense to develop a long-term plan and stick to it at all costs. Factors such as globalization, stricter accountability, employee development, change and risk management and unstable economic conditions all require that companies today have to be able to adapt quickly and to be flexible to succeed in tough economic times.

How does this impact on the project manager interview?

Project managers need to be flexible and adaptable. The change management process is essential to the success of a project. Project manager interview questions will explore the ability of the candidate to quickly assess a new situation and adapt effectively to it. The project manager needs to fill the role of coach, communicator and conflict and resistance manager with the team when change is introduced.

They need to be strategic thinkers who can successfully build strategies consistent with organizational beliefs, goals and plans. The project manager is required to consider not only the success of the project itself but also the success of the project outcome. What is the strategic impact of the project? The new role of the project manager requires a comprehensive knowledge of the strategy that the project is supporting and the ability to place the project in the context of an existing strategic plan.

Project managers need to come up with innovative ways of improving effectiveness and finding solutions to challenges. The project manager should go beyond accepting and implementing the first solution that comes to mind. Solutions need to be found through the generation of ideas and possible alternatives in a creative manner and thinking out of the box can go a long way in finding workable solutions. Expect interview questions that determine your willingness to be creative and inventive with both the initiation of a new project as well as the components of an existing project.

The modern project manager must be able to motivate and inspire confidence in the project team regardless of the difficulties and challenges they face. Leadership skills are key to successful project management. An effective project manager needs to lead though setting goals and using the most appropriate methods to guide and influence the project team towards goal attainment. Good leaders make team members feel they have a real stake in the project and encourage them to participate in meeting challenges. Interview questions will explore the ability to effectively structure a team, to implement and maintain good intra-team communication and to enhance team satisfaction. Encouragement and positive reinforcement are key to getting the team to effectively work together.

Project management tools and processes remain important but the emphasis has shifted in the project manager interview to an exploration of whether the candidate has these key project leadership skills.

The Project Manager Interview Guide helps you prepare successfully for your job interview.

Julia Penny has many years experience interviewing and placing candidates across a wide range of jobs. She offers her expertise to help job seekers prepare for and succeed in job interviews at her free website Best Job Interview http://www.best-job-interview.com/.