Thoughts to Answer: Yes, the project interview question that many will face in almost any standard interview! Most of us should have an answer to this interview question quickly but is it the correct scenario? Here are some tips to crush that interview question with 15 fantastic responses to it as well:
First, what does it mean to “lead” a project in an interview? Well that depends! Here are some ways you could answer the question:
- You lead a certain pivotal portion of a project
- You were the project manager or project lead of that project
- You had to be the main expertise for the project
There can be many ways to interpret this project interview question. The main piece is understanding that you played a key role in the project and you found a way to move the needle. Ultimately, you will want to find a way to show the interviewer that you can make big differences when tasked with an entire project or pivotal piece of the project.
Let’s go through some questions to make sure you have the right one using the CARE process:
Circumstance: What situation were you faced with for the lead project? Did it have deadlines or obstacles that you can easily discuss?
Action: What steps did you take to ensure a smooth timeline?
Results: Did you get the project complete on time?
Effect: THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE INTERVIEW ANSWER. What positive effect did this have for your stakeholders/team/yourself? If you don’t include the effect, it is like watching an incredible movie that abruptly ends with strings untied and no clue to what happened to the main characters. Don’t do it! If you provide the effect, you will differentiate yourself from 99% of all other interviewees.
15 Fantastic Ways to answer the interview question, Describe a time that you were the lead on a project?
Project Lead Interview Answer #1: Entire Project
Potential Interview Answer: “I was tasked with leading an entire project. The timeline was three months, and it involved more than 10 cross-functional department stakeholders. This project was also a high visibility project. How I managed the project was setting up weekly meetings to those who made sense to do so, and weekly communication emails to all stakeholders. I also created powerpoints slides for each stakeholder to ensure the different aspects of the project went smoothly.
I learned that constant communication was the key driver to the success of the project and we were able to meet the objectives and timeline set. Also, I was able to gain a greater knowledge of the product base and learn from my peers and leadership different aspects of the business that have made a strong impact for me.”
Did you see how the effect can make a big difference in the interview answer? Don’t forget to utilize it and put the bow on it! When discussing an entire project interview question, it can be hard to keep the answer precise and to the point. Practice on wrapping up an answer within three minutes.
Project Lead Interview Answer #2: Portion of a Pivotal Piece to a Project
Potential Interview Answer: “I would like to discuss playing a key role in a project. There were challenges within a key project for the year on how to solve a problem (fill in the problem that it was during the interview). The project lead asked for my help knowing that I had expertise in this field. I set up the correct meetings and asked the questions that were required to formulate a solution. Ultimately, I was able to present my findings and the project was completed within the timeframe required. Also, it has actually brought me to different projects now as I generated visibility on my solution and how it could help other portions of the business.”
There are many who haven’t been the main lead for the entire project. That is not an issue at all. In fact, answering the interview question in a way that shows how you played a pivotal piece to a key project can be unique and a positive differentiator. Think of solutions for this interview question and be ready to go crush it!
Project Lead Interview Answer #3: Main Expertise of the Project
Potential Interview Answer: “Although I have not led a project, there have been multiple experiences where I was the main expert for a portion of a key project. There was a project where the stakeholders needed (insert what type of expertise is needed.) I was asked to help and I obviously accepted. The main focus for me was to set up the correct meetings and ask the questions that were required to formulate a solution. Ultimately, I was able to present my findings and the project was completed within the timeframe required. Also, it has actually brought me to different projects now as I generated visibility on my solution and how it could help other portions of the business.”
You will see a portion of this answer be the same to Interview Answer #2 as they are related. Both answers can help differentiate you and this answer can be a great solution if you don’t want to discuss the entire project.
Project Lead Interview Answer #4: Club Project Lead (For Students) – No Work Experience Required
Potential Interview Answer: “There was a project that I took on for my club in college where I was tasked to (insert the project details). This project was important because it affected our upcoming schedule for the new year and ultimately could have impacted our budget. I worked on asking the questions required to complete the project, which generated a list of action items for me to accomplish. I then organized those action items into a timeline and worked with each key person to check off the list of action items.
Ultimately, the project was completed within the timeframe we hoped for and our budget was not only approved, but also increased for the upcoming year!”
You don’t need work experience to answer this question like a pro. Find a project from school that you played a key part, or the main role and practice the answer. Be sure to keep the interview answer within three minutes!
Project Lead Interview Answer #5 Volunteer Project
Potential Interview Answer: ““I would like to use a volunteer project that comes to mind for a group that I support, (insert volunteer group or non-profit name) where I was tasked to (insert the project details). This project was important because it affected our upcoming schedule for the new year and ultimately could impact our budget. I worked on asking the questions required to complete the project, which generated a list of action items for me to accomplish. I then organized those action items into a timeline and worked with each key person to check off the list of action items.
Ultimately, the project was completed within the timeframe we hoped for and we were able to raise x amount of dollars, the most in the last five years!””
Volunteer projects can be a really cool way to differentiate yourself. Now, if you were applying for a Project Manager role, this answer would not be recommended as a more in depth answer would be required but depending on the type of job you are interested in, it could be an awesome way to connect with the interviewer on your interests and how you apply business knowledge to giving back!
Project Lead Interview Answer #6 Employee Career Growth
Potential Interview Answer: “Although this isn’t necessarily a traditional project, I was determined to recognize an incredible direct report. I have an employee at my current company that practically does everything right. She has been with the company for three years, with no real compensation increase. Therefore, I set up a goal with her to ensure a promotion was in place for the upcoming year. I worked with all the key stakeholders (HR, Finance, etc.) to understand promotion requirements. Then, we worked on creating a detailed list of all the incredible items and projects that illustrated the credibility of the promotion and ultimately went to Senior Leadership for a review.
She was promoted with a 25% compensation increase and she couldn’t be happier. Also, there is no concern for attrition due to the promotion and I am grateful for that!”
Although non-conventional, discussion about how you assisted a co-worker, friend or direct report could be an option!
Project Lead Interview Answer #7 Sports & Athlete
Potential Interview Answer: “As a student athlete, I was tasked by my coach to study how we should stop our upcoming rival in the red zone. There are some key players that are talented and consistently pose a threat to scoring a touchdown. I started with watching tape, asking my skill coaches for thoughts and advice. After a lengthy amount of tape review, I recommended the defensive scheme required to be most effective and practiced with the players for the week.
Due to practice and preparation, we only allowed two touchdowns to a team that normally averages four, and beat them 28-14. This has now allowed me to take on a greater responsibility with the team success moving forward and helped me understand that I love coaching people.”
The Project Lead question is not limited to a work or school project alone, it can be relatable to many things, including sports!
Project Lead Interview Answer #8 Strategic Sourcing
Potential Interview Answer: “Our company recently faced some pressure due to the economic conditions. I was tasked with finding ways to reduce cost. First, I began reviewing spend and how looked at the largest amounts. Then I went in more granular detail on the top five spend categories and found pockets of cost reduction potential.
The project allowed me to find multiple vendors that were not being utilized and we reduced cost by $350,000. The positive impact was immediate and I was recognized that quarter with an award for my achievement.”
Risk mitigation and cost savings can be an awesome way to answer this question.
Project Lead Interview Answer #9 Data Analysis
Potential Interview Answer: “I was tasked to complete an important data review to understand what products our customers are currently utilizing most. As the lead expert in data analysis, I dug deep into product usage, asking multiple co-workers and department leads for their thoughts. Asking detailed questions and having the ability to complete complex analyses allowed me to find the top 10 products most used. The project was a success and actually led to additional asks that provided leadership the view to see if our highest cost products were creating the highest profitability.”
Data analysis projects can be a fantastic option for project interview questions.
Project Lead Interview Answer #10 Tough Key Stakeholder
Potential Interview Answer: “I was tasked with leading an entire project. The timeline was three months, and it involved more than 10 cross-functional department stakeholders. This project was also a high visibility project. How I managed the project was setting up weekly meetings to those who made sense to do so, and weekly communication emails to all stakeholders. I also created powerpoints slides for each stakeholder to ensure the different aspects of the project went smoothly.
I did, however, have a key stakeholder that was difficult to meet and ensure he would commit to certain project timelines. What I learned was that asking detailed questions and assisting him with the project as much as I could gave him the motivation to follow through with the timeframe.
I learned that constant communication was the key driver to the success of the project and we were able to meet the objectives and timeline set. Also, I was able to gain a greater knowledge of the product base and learn from my peers and leadership different aspects of the business that have made a strong impact for me.”
Although a bit unconventional for a project lead interview question, this could still be a good one to use in the right situation.
Project Lead Interview Answer #11 Sales Project
Potential Interview Answer: “I was given the task to work with the company’s Privacy and Security team to ensure the potential client would be able to use our project. For all projects to go smoothly, the core centers around detailed questions and active listening. I was able to take a list of all items that are required for their business, aligned the answers for our team, and was able to have the client sign a deal. Taking the additional approach also allowed me to gain a better understanding of the Privacy and Security department and I gained key connections for future asks.”
Sales Executives have a bunch of projects to complete too!
Project Lead Interview Answer #12 Retail & Manufacturing Project
Potential Interview Answer: “My Manager asked for me to work on inventory for the store. I had not yet been given the opportunity to do something link this in my career so I decided to create a checklist of questions that I needed answered. I asked my Manager, who provided additional co-workers names to assist me. After asking detailed questions, I created a game plan that allowed me to complete the inventory with the timeline proposed. Also, I was recognized and given a promotion and this project was a foundational piece.”
Retail can have multiple projects. Be sure to include the Results AND Effect at the end of the answer to amaze your interviewer!
Project Lead Interview Answer #13 Healthcare
Potential Interview Answer: “Cost is always an important focus for the hospital. I was asked to work on scheduling the nurses. This has been a major challenge as the attrition was high within the nurse group. I decided to host a town hall with the nurses and learn the frustrations. After gaining vital insights, I worked hard and found solutions and answers for the nurses to ensure they felt heard. This has now led the attrition to be the lowest in five years”
Healthcare is filled with project opportunities and it can literally save lives. Find a good one that truly puts the care of the patient first and you will crush that interview!.
Project Lead Interview Answer #14 Finance
Potential Interview Answer: “II was tasked to complete an important Finance review to understand how to forecast the next 12 months based on uncertain economic conditions. As the subject expert, I utilized the software and analytical tools to provide what-if scenarios for the company that illustrated the total forecast landscape while illustrating what risk each scenario could pose. This project allowed me to present to the Senior Leadership team and gave me additional skills that have proven to be instrumental.
Finance and Accounting have wonderful project opportunities that you could utilize during your project lead interview.
Project Lead Interview Answer #15 Executive Assistant
Potential Interview Answer: “Supporting four VPs can be a tough task at times. I generally handle 15-20 projects per month but was given almost double that in a specific month. I understood that the month would need to be handled differently if I wanted to be successful. Therefore, I met with each VP and prioritized each project and communicated timelines for each project. Then I worked to delegate portions of the high priority projects to different departments to assist. Utilizing this simple action item allowed me to complete 27 projects within the given month and I was also able to meet new co-workers that can assist in the future.”
Executive Assistants, you are the real MVP and you will have a plate full of options to choose for this interview question.
Go brainstorm some potential projects, practice how to say it so you feel comfortable and are ready to roll. And most importantly, remember that you got this, go get your dream job!