presentation topics for project manager interview

Ace the Presentation

55 Job Interview Presentation Topics

The good news is that shouldn’t be the end of the world. That nightmare can turn into a dream with prior preparation and research.

There is a growing trend in some companies when recruiting, where they ask their interviewee to give a presentation as part of the interview process, and they either give the topic to them or ask them to come up with one.

The person applying for the job can use the time before the interview presentation date as an advantage to research and prepare for acing the presentation.

When choosing the topic, one thing to have in mind is the position to be filled, which will help when deciding what to present to the interviewers, as the topic should be related to the position. Otherwise, it will deviate everyone’s focus.

After quick and thorough research, it is possible to come up with basic information about the company and position offered to choose the topic for the presentation.

I have had a lot of success in preparing my job presentations or case study presentations and landing the job offer, it comes natural to me, but also, I take a lot of time to do research and structure the presentations in a compelling and exciting way. It takes time to master that skill, but don’t despair, because you can get help with your PowerPoint presentations from experts. Contact the guys at Custom Writings , they’re a presentation writing service which will handle your project on any topic.

Having said all that, let’s look at 55 ideas from 11 topics (5 for each) for a job interview presentation.

• Arts and Culture
• Sustainability
• Human resources

Each one of the topics above can be a broad theme and be related to anything and everything, though they can be focused on specifics of a job description, for example, to meet the expectations of the interviewers and judge how good your research about the topic and the position is.

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11 Great topics for a job interview presentation

1. arts and culture.

Arts and culture involve many aspects of society, such as music, movies, performances, TV, literature, and so on.

When presenting a topic about Arts and Culture, the audience will probably be familiarized with it. Again, research will be crucial here. It is absolutely important that the presenter knows what he/she is saying. Thorough research will get that job done.

Arts and Culture Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• How to get more people to read books?
• Learning foreign languages as a preventive measure when traveling.
• How important are museums for local communities?
• Are movies harmful to child education?
• How to improve music’s efficacy as a language learning tool?

2. Business 

Topics in the business section will be focused on people and positions in the corporate world, leadership, management, human relations, communications, and similar subjects. This subject might need more research, and the data presented will have to be exact as those should be assumed to impact aspects of a real-time workplace.

The interviewers may see in a presentation an opportunity to find new ideas for issues they currently face in the company or even new working approaches to be applied. Serious research and real-time data presented in an interview can really help the candidate get picked for a position.

Business Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• How to make the workplace learning-friendly?
• Ways to make remote collaboration work.
• Improving communication between co-workers.
• How to measure the ROI in all Marketing campaigns?
• What are the best strategies to improve Customer Experience and loyalty?

3. Education

Education is a subject that interests many, if not everyone. When being dealt with, one thing to keep in mind is that a quality education today will shape the future of a country and the world, what can be improved and what can change to make education better.

A lot has been said about Educational systems. All those opinions should be used to understand perhaps what is missing and see if things can change.

Education is a subject that can give a lot of options for research and problem-solving. It should be seen as an advantage to have this subject on hand.

Education Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• The impact of a parent’s engagement in school life.
• How do curriculum changes affect the process of learning?
• Homeschooling: is it better than the traditional education system?
• Does remote education work? How to Improve it?
• Secular Education: Obsolete?

This is a subject that also interests many, and if well presented, can engage the audience right away. People are constantly thinking about ethics, and how something that seems good for a group of people can look bad to others. It can, at times, be intriguing too.

If you bring in the right questions and get people to wonder, you will definitely engage whoever is listening.

That is an opportunity to call the attention of interviewers to research results and interesting finds about ethics. Since ethics involve some critical thinking, it creates an opportunity to showcase some of it to the audience too.

Ethics Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• Should cities have cameras in the streets?
• 3-D printing and development of human organs.
• Death penalty: does it solve the problem?
• Is taking gifts from your business partners anti-ethical?
• Is love in the Workplace forbidden? Can we control our emotions?

Science is also a broad topic related to researching and bringing results in certain areas. Trying to understand the world, its creation, and how to make it better through analysis hypothesis and experiments with elements found in nature.

Science topics to be chosen will be broad and involve every aspect of life to be known.

Science Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• How was the planet created?
• Immortality: does it align with nature’s ways of working?
• What is “Dark Matter” and why is it important?
• Is climate change going to render our planet inhospitable in 50 years?
• How can we save the World from the next global pandemic?

6. Sustainability

The subject of sustainability is a very interesting topic that has gained a lot of attention recently due to proposed changes to help decrease the effects of global warming. It should not be only important at certain times though.

It should be adopted forever, as that is the only way to co-exist with the biosphere to both meet our needs and not jeopardize nature, and this way, future generations can enjoy a planet like the one we found and even better. So this subject can proportionate a broad choice of topics as well.

Sustainability Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• How to adopt sustainable approaches in our daily lives?
• What are ways to promote a sustainable lifestyle among students?
• To what extent are catering and food products certified as organic or fair trade food?
• Fossil fuels vs Renewable Energy: How sustainable it is to use only one of them?
• Donations to poor countries and its impact on future generations

7. Technology

When the subject is technology, the thing that comes to mind for almost everyone is the digital era. A lot has changed and is still changing; many sectors adopt these changes in their environment and would be interested in knowing more about the so-called technology and how it would help them in the digital era.

Technology Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• The impact of social media in the development of children.
• Is 5G more important than people’s health?
• Is AI necessarily an enemy for humanity?
• How can we use Data Analytics for Improving Decision Making?
• Is Zoom really an unsafe collaboration and video calling tool?

Society is another subject that will resonate with everyone, and that can be used as an advantage as there can be many topics to choose from. How people relate within a community and how those relations are seen by the ones in it.

It is crucial to improve relations in society, as the individuals will constantly interact with one another.

Society Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• Are we doing enough to end poverty?
• Volunteering in your community.
• Race relations need to be improved.
• How to improve malnutrition in Africa?
• Are the Indigenous people being treated fairly?

9. Human resources

The personnel responsible for recruiting people capable of doing the required job; training the recruited people; promoting a good working environment, and monitor performance.

This subject will be narrowed to aspects of companies. These will need people capable of selecting from a broad group, the ones that fit with the job description.

Human Resources Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• Creating a stress-free environment.
• Balancing HR Strategies with business growth.
• Harassment of women in the workplace.
• Career Progression Plans
• Effective Succession Planning

10. Nutrition

A lot of people only think about food upon hearing the word nutrition. Well, they do not deviate from the subject. Though how and what people eat will influence their body, mind, and spirit, there are researches that prove that food, for example, influences the mood of a person.

So a company dealing with food or health might want a candidate to present the results of research in this area. Influences of nutrition in other areas of life would then be attractive to interviewers operating in this area.

Nutrition Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• Habits of food purchases and association with diet.
• Practice and application of knowledge by nutrition students.
• Childhood Obesity: Possible causes and solutions.
• Organic food vs. Processed Food: How to keep the balance?
• What is the most effective way of reducing weight beyond your 30s?

11. Logistics

The process involving the organization and transportation of goods from one point to another is what logistics comprise. These goods need to be safely handled during transportation and storage until handed to customers.

Companies should focus on collaboration between the transport providers, the buyers, and the vendors in order to have a good final result.

Logistics Job Interview Presentation Topics:

• Transportation as a Vital Aspect of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
• Radio Frequency Identification: the Use of a Minuscule Computer Chip to Track the Product.
• Recruiting quality drivers for your trucking company.
• Internation ship cargo tracking
• How to expedite the Customs Clearance process?

In conclusion,

There is a broad range of topics to be chosen or, in some cases, given. All one has to do is dedicate some time before the interview to research the topic and develop some good ideas and facts to ensure the interviewers get interested and engaged in the presentation.

A reliable and facts-rich presentation might save the candidate a spot on the company. It can all be resumed to good research, one that goes to the roots of an issue and brings answers and solutions to be taken into consideration.

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Eggcellent Work

75+ interview presentation topics to showcase your skills.

Employers are thinking outside of the box to ensure that they hire the best of the best. Often, you’ll be asked to make a presentation to show off your confidence and capabilities. Various interview presentation topics can ensure you know just how to highlight your knowledge, talent, and skills.

Table of Contents

The Purpose of a Job Interview Presentation

Across all private companies, the average turnover rate in 2021 was 47% . Some industries and some positions are higher than others.

High turnover is problematic for a number of reasons. Hiring and training are both expensive and time-consuming. The goal is to hire employees who are ready to slide right into the role they were hired for.

This is why interview presentations are being used more and more frequently. Companies use them to put communication skills to the test. You may be asked to prepare a presentation or present a blind one.

Marketing positions may require a presentation to market a particular product. A C-level position may require a strategic outlook for the industry.

Regardless of whether the interview presentation topics are defined or not, the purpose is the same. They want to see various skills portrayed:

• Preparedness
• Understanding of the subject
• Ability to engage with the audience
• Ability to stay organized
• Ability to communicate
• Organization level

Essentially, they want someone who is able to stand out against all of the other candidates.

You can stand out by choosing an interesting presentation topic or a unique way to present it. You’ll also want to show that you meet all of the core competencies of the job description.

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Popular interview presentation topics.

There are plenty of interview presentation ideas that you can choose from. However, it’s important to consider the kind of job you’re applying for, the target audience that you’re presenting the material for, and what you wish to prove during the presentation. This is where an interview presentation template can come in handy.

Below are 15 most popular topics and 75 creative interview presentation ideas (5 ideas for each topic) that are capable of showcasing your talent and skills and experience.

1. New Technology

Talk about the emerging technology within your industry. Talk about specific examples as well as the ways that it is both a help and a hindrance. It’s important to show that you’re up on the latest technologies as the company you’re interviewing for may soon be moving to it.

Discuss how you feel about the technology but try to stay positive. Especially if you don’t know how the company feels about it, you don’t want to establish friction. This topic can be a great presentation example for tech-related roles.

Here are 5 examples on new technology interview presentation topics:

• How is artificial intelligence changing the healthcare industry?
• How can augmented reality enhance retail shopping experiences?
• How are autonomous vehicles shaping the future of transportation?
• How is cybersecurity evolving in the age of remote work?
• How can blockchain technology improve data security?

2. An Emerging Industry Trend

Discuss an emerging trend within your industry. It can be helpful to share some specific statistics so that you can identify that you’re familiar with doing research.

Explain why you think the trend is a good one or a bad one. Open it up to a Q&A so that you can address questions and concerns about the trend. This can show the interviewer your ability to stay updated with industry trends.

Here are 5 examples on emerging industry trend interview presentation topics:

• How is the trend of remote work influencing the future of the workplace?
• How are sustainability initiatives shaping the fashion industry?
• How is the demand for personalization influencing the retail industry?
• How is the demand for organic products influencing the agriculture industry?
• What impact is the rise of plant-based diets having on the food industry?

Read More: 8 Best Trainer Interview Presentation Topics

3. A Solution to a Common Problem

Many companies are looking for problem solvers. The interview presentation topics are your chance to prove that you are capable of solving their problems. This can be a great way to demonstrate your soft skills and problem-solving abilities.

Tell the story of the problem that consumers (or businesses) are having. Then, go into detail as to how you plan to solve the problem. Use graphics or props to drive your point home.

Here are 5 examples on solution to a common problem interview presentation topics:

• What are innovative ways to improve literacy rates in underserved communities?
• How can we reduce food waste at the household level?
• What are effective strategies for reducing single-use plastic consumption?
• How can we encourage more people to use public transportation?
• How can we encourage more people to participate in physical activities?
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4. A Published Paper

Present a paper that you have published – or a paper that someone else has published. Give credit where it is due.

If you presented the paper, it shows that you have been published because of your ideas, research, or concepts. If it was written by another, it demonstrates that you are well-read.

Talk about why the paper is important. Be sure to highlight the main points in a compelling way. This can provide insightful information about your research skills and knowledge in your field.

Here are 5 examples on this interview presentation topics:

• What are the implications of the recent study on childhood education and long-term success?
• What are the key findings of the latest research on emotional intelligence and leadership?
• What are the implications of the latest paper on the impact of AI on job markets?
• What are the key takeaways from the recent paper on quantum physics?
• What are the implications of the recent study on mental health and social media?

5. A Project You’ve Worked On

Talk about a project that you’ve worked on as a topic for interview presentation. Explain the purpose of the project, why you feel that you were capable of adding value to it and what you’ve learnt from that experience.

Be sure that you don’t make disparaging comments about a previous employer. Regardless of the good and bad aspects of the project, keep it civil.

• Here are what I’ve learnt from organizing a large-scale event in my previous job
• Lessons drawn from launching a new website for my current organization
• Knowledge acquired from creating a content marketing strategy for SaaS client
• Insights gained from developing a training program to enhance employee skills
• What did taking part in improving operational efficiency in my previous organization teach me about the importance of clear communication, process optimization, and continuous improvement in achieving business goals?

6. Portfolio of Your Work

This is a great time to toot your horn and show off some of your past work and your accomplishment. This can be a great case study of your abilities and talents.

Especially if you’re involved with marketing and/or graphics, the best way to show off your expertise is by literally promoting all that you have done in the past.

Although you want to show off, be sure you provide a true presentation. Explain your thought process behind why you chose a specific font or went with a particular presentation method. Let the hiring team in on how your portfolio came to be the way that it is.

• If you’re a writer and editor, present a selection of writing works, such as articles, blog posts, or reports, demonstrating your writing and editing skills.
• If you’re a project manager, discuss a series of projects you’ve managed, showing your ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee tasks effectively.
• If you’re a marketing specialist, showcase a selection of marketing campaigns you’ve worked on, demonstrating your creativity and strategic thinking.
• If you’re a coder or software developer, showcase a selection of software or apps you’ve developed, demonstrating your coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
• If you’re a teacher or trainer, present a selection of training programs you’ve developed and delivered, demonstrating your teaching skills and ability to convey complex information clearly.

7. Favorite Course/Instructor

When you’re fresh out of college and don’t have a lot of work experience, you have to think outside of the box. Talk about a specific course you took in school or an instructor that you enjoyed.

Explain what you learned and why it was different. Showcase some of the unique ways that information was presented and why you’re glad you took the course/instructor.

This can show the interviewer your passion for learning and your favorite subjects.

• How did a course on creative writing improve my communication skills?
• What impact did a course on health and wellness have on my lifestyle choices?
• What did I learn from a course on educational psychology about learning processes?
• How did Noam Chomsky’s linguistics course shape my understanding of language?
• What did I learn from Richard Thaler’s behavioral economics course?

Read More: The Top Five Weird Interview Questions You May Want to Be Ready For

8. Leadership Experience

Presenting your leadership experience in an interview showcases your ability to manage teams, make decisions, and drive results. It allows you to demonstrate your interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Discussing a leadership role you’ve held, the challenges you faced, and the lessons you learned can provide valuable insights into your capabilities.

• What did my experience as a club president teach me about organizational leadership?
• How did leading a volunteer initiative shape my understanding of community leadership?
• What did I learn about conflict resolution from my experience as a team leader?
• What did my experience as a military officer teach me about leadership under pressure?
• What did I learn about motivation from my experience as a sports team captain?

9. Ethical Considerations

Talking about ethical considerations in an interview shows you know right from wrong in work situations. It shows you can make good choices when faced with ethical dilemmas.

Sharing a story about an ethical problem you faced and how you solved it can tell a lot about your character. It’s important to talk about these situations in a respectful and careful way, showing you value doing the right thing.

• What are the ethical implications of artificial intelligence?
• Should you use company resources for personal use?
• What should we do when we witness unfair treatment at work?
• What should we do when asked to perform a task that goes against our personal ethics?
• What are the ethical implications of animal testing?

10. Industry Challenges and Solutions

Talking about industry challenges and solutions in an interview shows you understand and interested in the field you’re working in. It shows you can identify problems and come up with ways to solve them.

Sharing a story about a big challenge in your industry and how you would fix it can show you’re a problem-solver. This can impress the interviewer and show you’re ready for the job.

• How can the healthcare industry overcome the challenge of rising costs?
• What are the key challenges in the education sector and what solutions could be implemented?
• How can the construction industry tackle the issue of labor shortages?
• How can the automotive industry adapt to the rise of electric vehicles?
• How can the tourism industry recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic?

11. Unique Hobbies and Interests

One way to add a personal touch to your interview presentation is by highlighting your unique hobbies and interests. This not only showcases your personality but also demonstrates your ability to be well-rounded and passionate about things outside of work.

• How has my interest in chess enhanced my strategic thinking?
• What insights have I gained from my hobby of building model ships?
• How does my interest in urban farming reflect my commitment to sustainable living?
• What have I learned from my hobby of home brewing?
• How has my interest in astrophotography influenced my perspective on life?

12. Your Significant Achievement

In your job interview presentation, one powerful strategy lies in demonstrating your  career highlights . Take the opportunity to narrate stories of  key accomplishments  using  compelling data and visuals .

Through this approach, you can showcase not just what you’ve done, but how well you’ve done it. Highlight projects where you made a  significant impact  or drove impressive results. By doing so, it offers evidence of your skills and ability to deliver desirable outcomes in real-world scenarios, thereby setting yourself apart from other candidates with similar qualifications or experience levels.

Transparency about  success metrics  also lends authenticity to your claims and underscores your analytical mindset, two traits prized by employers across all industries.

If you are a fresh graduate, you can showcase your academic achievements to demonstrate to the potential employer that you are diligent, focused, and capable of applying the theoretical knowledge you’ve gained to real-world situations.

• How I boost company revenue by 30% through a successful product launch
• My strategy I used to raise $50,000 for a local charity 
• How I overcome a major project challenge that resulted in 20% increase in output
• How I increase customer satisfaction rates by 50%
• How I achieve an academic goal that placed me in the top 10% of my class

13. Case Study Analysis

Presenting a case study analysis in an interview shows you can look at a real-life problem, think about it deeply, and find a solution.

It shows you can use your knowledge and skills to solve complex issues. Sharing how you analyzed a case study and what you learned can show you’re a good thinker and problem-solver, which is important for many jobs.

• Analyzing the success of Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales model
• How Starbucks created a global coffee culture
• Analyzing the success of Zara’s fast fashion business model
• How Airbnb disrupted the hospitality industry
• Analyzing the success of Spotify’s subscription business model

13. Company Analysis

Talking about the company you’re interviewing for is one of the best topics for interview presentation. It shows you’ve done your homework, understand what the company does and what issues it might face.

Sharing your thoughts on the company’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities can show you’re serious about the job and ready to contribute. This can impress the interviewer and increase your chances of getting hired.

• What is the company’s competitive position in the market?
• How does the company respond to industry trends and disruptions?
• How has the company performed financially and what are its growth prospects?
• How efficient is the company’s supply chain and operations?
• How is the company perceived as an employer by job seekers?

14. Arts and Culture

Incorporating arts and culture into your job interview presentation can set you apart from other candidates and  showcase your unique perspective . You can discuss how your background in the arts has shaped your creativity, problem-solving skills, and  ability to think outside the box .

Share examples of projects or experiences that demonstrate your  passion for different art forms or cultural movements . By highlighting how these influences have positively impacted your professional development, you will show potential employers that you bring a  fresh and innovative approach  to their organization.

• How can digital art skills be applied in modern marketing strategies?
• How can cultural celebrations foster inclusion in the workplace?
• What role do books play in shaping our worldview?
• How can museums become more accessible and engaging for the general public?
• How can art education benefit lifelong learning and creativity?

Understand the Presentation Requirements

There’s nothing worse than under-delivering an interview presentation. Once a company tells you that you will need to provide a presentation, there are some things that you should clarify.

Find out if there are interview presentation topics that you should focus on. This way, you can stay on topic.

Learn about the time limit that you’re given. Most companies will provide you with 5 or 10 minutes. You’ll want to ask about the time allotment because you don’t want to stop at 5 when they were expecting 10. You also don’t want to be cut short if they were expecting only 5 minutes.

You should also ask about the presentation delivery that they’re going to offer you. For example, will you have access to a projector and screen to deliver a PowerPoint? Will you have a dry erase board that you can draw on?

Ask the hiring manager for as much clarification as you need. Remember, asking these questions may be a part of the interview process, too.

5-Minute Presentation Ideas

When you are only given 5 minutes, you have to be clear about your topic. Keep it simple so that you can show your expertise without going in too many directions. It’s best to limit yourself to one or two main points.

Think about this. The average person speaks at a rate of 150 words per minute. You only have 750 words that you can speak.

You’ll actually need fewer words than this because you’ll want to pause periodically for emphasis. Plus, you’ll want to allow time for a quick Q&A.

Some ideas to help you:

• Use a PowerPoint so that you can stay on point
• Use photos and animation to make your point without having to say it all
• Time yourself to avoid running out of time

Here are some examples for 5-minute interview presentation topics . These topics are straightforward and can be presented effectively within a short timeframe:

• Benefits of daily exercise and how to make it a daily habit
• Tips for effective time management
• Tips to boost public speaking confidence
• The power of positive thinking and how it can enhance overall well-being
• Tips to overcome procrastination

10-Minute Presentation Ideas

When you are given 10 minutes, you have plenty of time to dive into your topic. 10 minutes is actually quite a bit of time, so be sure you are thorough.

Here are a few ideas to help:

• Start with an opener, whether it’s a video or a storytelling moment
• Pause after a few minutes to ask a question or to shift focus
• Allow for plenty of material to fill those 10 minutes

As you get into some of the longer presentations, it can be difficult for the hiring team to remember all that you covered. Think about bringing a presentation folder for everyone that will be in the room. This way, they can follow along and have something to remember you by.

Here are some examples for 10-minute interview presentation topics . These topics are more complex than the 5-minute ones, requiring a bit more depth:

• Importance of networking and how to build and maintain professional relationships
• Strategies to achieve work-life balance
• Discuss benefits and drawbacks of remote work and solutions for common challenges
• How to leverage technology to improve productivity
• How to maximize the benefits of commuting time for personal growth or relaxation

Below is the template that you can use for your 10-minute presentation for interview to help you stay focused:

Slide 1: Introduction (1 minute)

Title of the presentation Your name and role Brief overview of the topic Why the topic is important

Slide 2: About You (1 minute)

Brief professional background Relevant skills and experiences Connection to the topic

Slide 3: Context or Problem Statement (1 minute)

Background information or context Description of the problem or issue Why this problem is significant

Slide 4: Your Approach or Solution (1-2 minutes)

Your proposed solution or approach Why you chose this approach Any evidence or examples supporting your approach

Slide 5: Implementation (1-2 minutes)

How your solution can be implemented Potential challenges and how to overcome them Expected outcomes or benefits

Slide 6: Case Study or Example (1-2 minutes)

A specific example or case study that demonstrates your approach What was achieved and lessons learned How this example supports your overall argument

Slide 7: Connection to the Company (1 minute)

How your topic relates to the company or role How your approach or solution could benefit the company How your skills and experiences make you a good fit

Slide 8: Conclusion and Next Steps (1 minute)

Recap of your main points Your conclusion or final thoughts Next steps or actions Thank the audience and invite questions

Remember, this is just a template, and you should feel free to adjust it as necessary to fit your specific needs. The key is to keep your presentation concise and engaging within the given time frame.

Create an Interesting Presentation for Your Upcoming Interview

You have to be sure that you provide enough information in your presentation to wow those who are doing the hiring. This means that they’re going to look at the interesting presentation topic you’ve chosen and how you’ve presented it.

Communication is a critical component in so many different jobs, from representatives to analysts to managers. You have to demonstrate your confidence and your capabilities, which include public speaking skills.

Here are a few tips to help you nail your interview presentation:

• Use innovative technology throughout
• Record your speech on a digital recorder and listen to it
• Bring a prop to use, such as a small dry erase board
• Practice your presentation in front of a mirror

Run through your presentation a few times. Write it out, time it, and practice it until you’re comfortable with every aspect.

You only get one interview with a hiring team of a company, so it’s critical that you deliver the best possible presentation. Give some thought to the company’s objectives so you can incorporate them into your presentation.

With the right interview presentation topics, you can be thoughtful and highlight your skills. Each presentation you make should be a learning experience. If you don’t get the first job you present for, you’ll know where to improve for the next one.

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Jenny Palmer

Founder of Eggcellentwork.com. With over 20 years of experience in HR and various roles in corporate world, Jenny shares tips and advice to help professionals advance in their careers. Her blog is a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their skills, land their dream job, or make a career change.

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Top 10 Project Management Presentation Topics

Explore essential project management topics and presentation ideas for seamless execution. From planning to conflict resolution, dive into practical examples to enhance your skills. Elevate your project prowess with concise insights and actionable advice on top project management presentation topics.

Project Management Presentation Topics are a range of subjects related to efficiently managing projects. The topics cover different aspects. These include planning methods, team collaboration, risk management, leadership, and emerging trends. The goal is to share insights, best practices, and practical examples in a presentation format.

Project Management topics are beneficial for both experienced project managers looking to refine their skills and newcomers seeking a foundational understanding of project management principles. By delving into these topics, professionals can gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within project management, ultimately enhancing their ability to plan and execute projects successfully.

This article lists ten key topics for project management. There is also some advice on incorporating project management presentation topics into your current workflows.

1. Quality Control

A quality control system is crucial for any business producing goods or rendering services. It contributes to increased customer satisfaction by continuously providing high-quality services, cutting down on resource waste, and boosting business productivity and earnings. This process includes continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of project activities to guarantee that they align with the project objectives and quality criteria. Quality assurance helps identify and address issues early in the project life cycle, minimizing the risk of defects and enhancing overall project success and customer satisfaction.

Ethics in project management refers to the principles and standards of conduct that guide the behavior of project managers and their teams. Employee trust and business performance are directly correlated with ethical behavior. Even in cases where it may be challenging, organizations depend on their leaders and workers to make the right decisions at work. Ethical considerations in project management encompass honesty, integrity, transparency, and fairness throughout all project phases. Project managers must adhere to ethical standards when dealing with stakeholders, team members, and resources.

3. Agile Project Management 

Agile project management is a dynamic methodology that emphasizes cooperation and adaptability throughout the project lifecycle. In contrast to traditional approaches, Agile approaches welcome change and encourage teams to provide incremental value while adapting to changing requirements. Iterative development cycles, regular reevaluation, and ongoing feedback loops are the cornerstones of agile.

Software development project teams can work swiftly and cooperatively on a project and adjust to changing requirements in development thanks to agile project management. It also helps development teams respond promptly to input, allowing them to refine their plans at every sprint and product cycle.

Starting with Agile project management has several advantages, the primary one being its flexibility in handling problems that crop up during the project. Keeping a project on schedule and within budget can be achieved when necessary changes are made at the right time.

4. Communication

Effective communication abilities are crucial for success in the workplace. A key component of effective leadership and project management presentation is having the capacity to communicate your requirements, wants, expectations, and insights. Consider learning more about the seven C’s of communication if you wish to enhance your communication abilities and make your project management successful. 

5. Risk Management

Project managers frequently establish risk management plans in order to be ready for the unexpected because projects don’t always go as intended. Project teams can use the effective forecast and risk mitigation analysis to identify possible events that could impact their project and plan how to respond to them. You can make sure your projects go successfully by being aware of the steps involved in creating a risk management plan.

6. Strategic Alignment

In order to help achieve company objectives, such as boosting earnings and keeping consumers, strategic alignment is a vital part of project management. The sixth from the list of project management topics, strategic alignment, frequently integrates every aspect of an organization, including management systems and resource allocation.

In addition to helping companies streamline their operations, strategic alignment helps keep project managers aware of common objectives and values. For project managers, ensuring their initiatives adhere to company policies and guidelines and business-wide plans can be advantageous priorities.

7. Change Management 

All concepts associated with budgets, schedules, client expectations, resources, policies, strategies, hierarchies, project needs, and team size in any project management are collectively called “change management.” Change management in project management is the systematic approach to dealing with shifts, transitions, or alterations within a project. 

It involves planning, implementing, and controlling changes to ensure they are executed smoothly and do not negatively impact the project’s objectives. Understanding some of the most crucial change management principles will help you handle different transitions effectively, regardless of your position within an organization’s management structure.

8. Resource Management 

The next one on the list of project management topics is Resource management. In project management, Resource management involves planning, allocating, and utilizing the resources required to successfully execute a project. These resources include personnel, equipment, materials, time, and budget. Each company is in charge of the resources it uses to carry out its operations. Businesses may increase productivity and foster a more successful work environment when they manage their employees, finances, and physical assets with excellence. 

Depending on the project, this could involve tools, skilled labor, project money, and workspace. Project managers can successfully complete tasks, including controlling resource utilization, cutting expenses, and raising productivity by managing resources well.

9. Leadership

Leadership is one of the most crucial topics of effective and successful project management. Different situations require different kinds of leadership, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Although helping others achieve a common objective is the fundamental principle of leadership, the concept may become fairly complicated when one takes into account the various ways that individuals view and apply leadership in their professional lives.

Project managers can affect their team’s morale, output, and cooperation through good leadership. Talk to your staff about the attributes people value in a manager if you want to improve as a leader. By asking for feedback, you can demonstrate your willingness to learn and get insight into your areas of strength and weakness.

10. Stakeholder Management

Every firm must effectively manage the interests of its stakeholders since powerful stakeholders can significantly affect a company’s capacity to conduct business. It takes effort and time to create a stakeholder management plan that works. Stakeholder management is a crucial topic in project management that pertains to the capacity of managers to comprehend and attend to the requirements of project stakeholders.  

People interested in the project’s success, such as investors, clients, and senior leadership, are known as stakeholders. Project managers can guarantee they complete their projects at or above standard by attending to the needs and expectations of all stakeholders and remaining adaptable to changing demands.

Best PowerPoint Themes For Project Managers

For a project manager, crafting effective presentations is a crucial aspect of the role. The challenge lies in achieving a visually appealing design, a skill set not inherently associated with project management. Visual engagement is key for successful communication, making PowerPoint Themes a valuable tool in this context. These pre-designed, customizable templates serve as a foundation for presentations, eliminating the need to initiate projects from scratch.

PowerPoint Themes address the hurdle of the presenter’s block by providing a starting point, guiding the flow of the presentation, and aiding in storytelling. A well-crafted theme ensures that presentations are not only engaging but also visually captivating, retaining the audience’s attention and curiosity.

Moving forward from the discussion about project management topics, in the realm of Project Management, SlideUpLift has introduced five essential PowerPoint themes:

1. Business Case Presentation Theme:

• Tailored for presenting project ideas to secure approval and funding.
• Incorporates vibrant colors, effective graphics, and storytelling principles to enhance impact.

2. Project Planning Presentation Theme:

• Critical for defining project scope, objectives, team structure, and timeline.
• Carefully designed with graphics and charts to communicate research and data in an engaging manner.

3. Project Kickoff Presentation Theme:

• Utilized to generate enthusiasm, convey project vision and goals, and establish team credibility.
• Adheres to industry standards, featuring dedicated slides for team roster, schedule, and project charter.

4. Project Review Presentation Theme:

• Conducted at the end of each project phase to assess success and identify issues.
• Consolidates information with risk analysis, financial status, and creative graphics for effective communication.

5. Project Closure Presentation Theme:

• Used to outline the entire project process, highlighting successes, failures, and deliverables.
• Includes an executive summary, business impact, RAG status of deliverables, and cost breakdowns.

In conclusion, PowerPoint Themes serve as indispensable productivity tools for project managers, offering a swift, effective, and creative solution to address presentation and communication needs. SlideUpLift, with one of the largest collections of PowerPoint templates and themes, caters to diverse requirements by integrating visual science and storytelling principles into their designs.

Tips to Introduce New Project Management Topics

The following tips will help you make the most of your meetings, conversations, and planning sessions:

1. Learn about your teammates

Being aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each team member is usually beneficial for introducing new project topics. It can assist you in selecting the best person for each assignment and in understanding team members’ qualifications. Talk to each team member separately and note their unique qualities to conduct a thorough assessment. This could assist you in assigning tasks more effectively.

2. Stay in constant communication

Project presentation topics might still alter no matter how carefully you plan and assign duties. Establishing simple communication channels is crucial for keeping team members informed and giving them advance notice of changes. In addition to helping you control the project’s flow, communication gives a team constructive criticism on their work.

3. Recognize your objective

Comprehending the requirements to assign jobs and ensure project success is critical. This can assist you in determining realistic goals for every team member and tracking their development throughout the project. It can also assist you in allocating resources wisely and creating a realistic schedule.

4. Visualize the final result

Setting specific goals for yourself while introducing new project management topics will yield better results. Maintaining a laser-like focus on your objective will help you stay focused and establish a structured work environment. Additionally, it can assist you in determining which tasks are not significantly contributing to the project’s goal and make the required adjustments.

5. Identify risks

An essential component of introducing any new project management topics is risk management. Determine every significant risk and its likelihood of materializing during the planning stage. By doing this, you and your team can rapidly reduce the unfavorable effects of project risks.

6. Request Feedback

Selecting which subjects to concentrate on can be a process that differs for each project manager. Seek input from teams, clients, and other managers when implementing a new concept or approach in your planning or collaboration meetings. You can focus your efforts on worthwhile issues by assessing your efficacy at achieving shared goals and learning how current techniques function.

Across a wide range of sectors, project management is the cornerstone of effective and successful project execution. Project management encompasses a wide range of issues, some of which are summarized in this blog: stakeholder management and Agile techniques. Hence, the above-mentioned project management topics are essential. Professionals can improve their capacity to manage risks, resolve complexity, and see projects through to completion by learning more about these topics. These project management presentation ideas will greatly help you in your next PowerPoint presentation.

What is the role of a project manager in Agile projects?

In Agile projects, the project manager often serves as a facilitator, removing obstacles and ensuring the team has what it needs to be productive.

How can project managers effectively manage stakeholder expectations?

Project managers can effectively manage stakeholder expectations through communication. Regularly update stakeholders on project progress, involve them in decision-making when appropriate, and address concerns promptly.

Can you provide a list of project management topics suitable for a presentation?

Topics may include Agile Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Project Budgeting, Quality Management, Leadership in Project Management, and more. The key is to choose topics relevant to your audience and the goals of your presentation.

What are some engaging project management presentation ideas?

Engaging project management presentation ideas include showcasing real-world case studies, incorporating interactive elements like quizzes or discussions, and using visuals such as charts and graphs to illustrate concepts.

What are some best practices for creating a visually appealing project management presentation PPT?

Best practices for creating a visually appealing project management presentation include using a consistent color scheme, incorporating clear and legible fonts, utilizing visuals like icons and images, and maintaining a clean and organized layout.

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Best 25 Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers (2024)

Simplify project management. Plan and collaborate across teams and work styles for total visibility and greater productivity with ProjectManager.

Finding the right project manager, who has the skill sets, experience and proper corporate cultural fit for your organization is not as easy as just posting a job listing. You need to meet the potential candidate and figure out if they’re suited for the job. That’s where having the right project manager interview questions comes in.

Project management interview questions will guide your decision-making process. Hire a leader with the project management and communication skills that’ll lead your projects to success by using these project manager interview questions.

Related: Free Project Management Templates and Spreadsheets for Excel

Types of Project Manager Interview Questions

There are two main types of project management interview questions, behavioral and scenario-based questions. These two different approaches help interviewers get as much information as possible from project managers.

Scenario-Based Project Manager Interview Questions

The purpose of scenario-based interview questions is to ask project manager candidates how they’d respond to hypothetical project management scenarios. Here, you can understand the thinking process of your project managers and look into their problem-solving skills, leadership style, knowledge of project management methods and tools, etc.

Behavioral Project Manager Interview Questions

This type of interview question asks for events that happened in the past. The purpose of these project manager interview questions is to get an idea of how the project manager has acted in the past, and how he or she applied applicable project management skills and knowledge to solve real-life problems.

The 25 project management interview questions below include these two types of questions. We hope they help you prepare for your PM interview.

Types of Project Manager Interviews

Most employers typically conduct several rounds of interviews to look at project managers through different lenses. This is done to get a better understanding of the technical capabilities of project managers, their past performance and their decision-making under different scenarios.

Here’s some expert advice from Devin Deen, certified scrum master and project manager expert. In the video below he explains some the main types of project manager interviews that you’ll need to go through to get a project management  role .

Top Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most common project manager interview questions that will help you find the best talent for your projects. They’re also helpful if you want to learn how to prepare for a project manager interview. There are different types of PM interview questions as well as some icebreakers to start the interview.

1. Tell me about yourself

This is a typical question for an interview and is a great way to break the ice and conversate. But you can get important information about the candidate’s past experiences, skills and education. You can also get a feel of how well this individual will adapt to the project manager role at your organization. A good way to do this is to ask the candidate to tell you a little about his or her past, present and future project management job expectations.

How to answer: Be honest in answering this and every question, but keep it brief. You can share relevant information about your upbringing. For example, was one of your parents a project manager? What in your upbringing shows you have the leadership or communication skills to manage a team and handle the pressure of a project ? If you have project management certification or prior positions that make you the ideal candidate, make sure to bring that up.

2. What’s your background, personally and professionally?

It’s important to get a snapshot of the applicant to bring their project manager resume into sharper focus. Knowing a bit about their life story unveils their soft skills and how they might respond to issues at work, and whether they’ll fit into the corporate culture.

How to answer: If you haven’t brought up your profession and educational background in the previous question, now’s the time to do so. It’s also good to bring up a personal anecdote that illustrates your leadership qualities. The same goes for their project management experience. Staying at a single job for a long time can be either bad or good for project managers, but you won’t know until you put their choice into context.

3. What’s your ideal project?

The ideal project is the one that you’re hiring for, of course! But on a serious note, try to get them to answer honestly. It’ll let you know what sort of projects they prefer to work on which gives a better feel for what kind of project management methodology excites them. This can help you place the project manager with the right project, or help them adapt to the project team you’re hiring them to manage.

How to answer: Be specific in answering this question. It’s best if you can relate a past project you worked on and why it checked all the boxes for you. If, for example, you’re applying to a construction company, then you’ll want to share a previous construction project that excited you, perhaps because of the length and complexity of the project. The more specific and passionate you are in your answer, the better you can show your enthusiasm for the work.

4. Have you worked in this industry before?

Does the candidate have project management experience in your industry? That’s important because they might excel at the project management methods your company uses or may have the right risk management skills to manage your projects. If they don’t, it’s not a deal breaker as much of project management is the same from industry to industry.

How to answer: If you’ve worked as a project manager, share that experience, such as how the prevalent projects panned out. But if you haven’t held a project manager position in the past yet have strong project management skills or certifications that relate to the industry of your potential new employer, that can make up for a lack of direct experience. Whether you do or don’t have experience, be confident as it shows you’re an authentic person who’s comfortable in the position.

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5. Have you managed remote teams?

Not all projects are executed under one roof and remote teams are common. With more dynamic project management tools and a global workforce to choose from, many project managers might never meet the members of their team, at least in person, but they’ll be able to work together using project management software. Then there are the necessary resources that’ll be outsourced, which involves a different resource management technique than when working with employees. Knowing how they’ve managed people and resources can help you get an overview of their leadership skills and be a crucial point in your decision to hire or not to hire.

How to answer: Again, honesty is key. Lying will only cause future troubles. If you’ve managed a remote team, talk about the challenges of leading a group of people who you never met face-to-face. How’d you build a cohesive team from a distributed group? How did you track progress, foster collaboration, etc.? If you haven’t managed a remote team, explain how you would or what team management experience you have and how it’d translate to a situation where the team was not working together under one roof.

6. How did your last project end?

This question is about discovering any lessons they learned from that project. Everything about project management is a learning experience, and each project offers lessons from which a good project manager grows.

How to answer: Don’t be vague. Answer the question with a specific example. Provide a quick overview of the project’s goals, deliverables , constraints and risks. Show how you dealt with those issues and brought the project to a successful conclusion. If the project failed, explain why, but don’t lay blame on others. You’re the project manager and the buck stops with you.

7. How do you prioritize tasks on a project?

Task management is important. There’s going to be more work in a day than can be accomplished, so any good project manager is going to have to determine what is crucial and what could be left undone if necessary. It’ll prove interesting and informative to see how the candidate makes these time management and task management decisions.

How to answer: If you can tether your answer to a real-life situation that’s best. Interviewers don’t want abstract answers. Explain how you review all the tasks for a particular project and then the decision-making process in prioritizing. For example, do you use the critical path method or some other technique? That will reveal a lot to the interviewer.

8. How do you foster team collaboration?

This behavioral question is a great way to gauge the candidate’s basic leadership and team management knowledge as well as their ability to use modern work management software and team collaboration apps. Project managers need to use tools to communicate with their team members whether they’re traditional, remote or hybrid teams.

How to answer: This question can be answered in two ways. You’ll want to give examples of how you facilitated collaboration with a team in the past by leading them through team-building exercises. But that just sets the stage for good collaboration. Next, you’ll want to talk about the project management software or other tools you used to connect teams so they could quickly and easily share files, comment on tasks, etc.

9. What was a challenging project, and how did you manage it?

This behavioral question takes the conversation from theoretical to practical. You can see how the project manager responded to real-life problems to help determine how they’d manage projects at your organization. This question also provides a sense of the person’s project management experience, such as how they lead teams and deal with conflicts. By asking about a challenging project, you can see how they apply their hard and soft skills when pushed to their limits and beyond.

How to answer: It’s a bit of a broken record, but the advice is important enough to repeat; be honest. Choose a real project that has challenged you. Set it up by explaining what those challenges were and explain how you addressed and resolved the challenges. It’s a bit of a balancing act as you want to make the project’s challenges real, but you also want to show how you dealt with them. Don’t take all the credit, though. Make sure to give credit to your team.

10. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made on a project?

Everyone makes mistakes; character is defined by how you deal with them. This project management interview question allows you to first gauge the candidate’s honesty.

How to answer: This is another tricky question. If you say that you’ve never made a mistake, you can rest assured that the interviewer won’t believe you’re truthful and your resume will go into the circular file. However, when you share a mistake you’ve made, interviewers will note that you take responsibility for your actions, which reveals your level of maturity. Bonus points if you can show how that mistake was rectified by you and your team.

Interview Questions for Project Managers About Team Management

Projects are a team effort, so any project management interview will likely include questions about how you manage teams. Make sure you highlight team management skills such as leadership, communication skills, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills. The main purpose of these project management interview questions is that interviewers want to understand how well you can work with others, including project teams and stakeholders.

11. What’s your leadership style?

Talking about managing a project will inevitably lead to a discussion of leadership style . There are many ways to lead, and all have their pluses and minuses. Depending on the project, a project manager might have to pick and choose how they lead, ranging from a top-down approach to servant leadership. See how well-versed they are in leadership techniques and how they apply them to project management.

12. What’s your communication style?

This is another classic project management interview question that directly stems from asking about managing projects and leadership. A project manager is nothing if he has poor communication skills. They need to be able to speak to team members, stakeholders, vendors, etc. Each group needs a slightly different approach. Stakeholders want the broad strokes of the project management plan, while team members need more detail. If a project manager can’t clearly communicate, the project is doomed before it has begun.

Being a good communicator is only the start. Project management software helps you better target communication with your team and stakeholders. ProjectManager has project management tools like Gantt charts , kanban boards and project calendars to clearly communicate your project plan. Our online software allows you and your team to collaborate in real time. If someone has a question, they can tag another person on the team to get them into the conversation. Our email and in-app notifications make sure you’re never late for a meeting or an important stakeholder presentation. Try our tool for free today.

13. How do you seek help outside of the project team?

This project manager interview question gives you information about the leadership and communication skills of your project manager candidate. Some project managers are going to think you want a person who’s wholly independent and pulls from an inner reservoir. But more resourceful is the project manager who knows when they’re over their head and asks for help from a mentor or a network of professionals.

14. How do you gain agreement with teams?

Where there are people, there are conflicts, and even the best projects have problems. Good teams collaborate and trust one another. If there’s a problem between two or more project team members, it must be resolved quickly. But this can also apply to stakeholders, vendors, etc. A project manager is a bit of a psychologist who must know how to resolve conflicts quickly.

15. Do you delegate?

The last thing you want is a project manager who carries everything on their shoulders. But this is a bit of a trick question or at least one that has an implicit question embedded in it. What you really want to know is not whether they delegate, but how they delegate work to their team members . This is a great way to weed out the micromanagers.

That doesn’t mean a project manager is absent from the process. Project management software has features to keep them aware of what their team is doing but not in the way. For example, ProjectManager has a board view that visualizes the workflow. The kanban allows managers to oversee their team as they work and make sure things are moving forward. Even better, if a potential block is spotted in the production, the manager can reallocate resources to keep the work moving forward.

16. How do you manage team members that aren’t working to their full potential?

Sometimes, no matter how much due diligence you put into assembling a skilled and experienced project team , someone underperforms or creates conflicts. While the project is rolling, you don’t have time to stop and tweak your team. Rather, the project manager must use problem-solving techniques and communication skills to deal with the problem. This comes up with even the best project team, so any capable project manager would know how to nip underperformance in the bud.

Interview Questions for Project Managers About Work Experience

Work experience is always important in any type of interview, and that’s true for project management interviews. Employers make these project manager interview questions because they need to make sure you have the necessary hands-on experience that’s required to be a good fit for their type of projects and that you have the capabilities to excel in their industry.

17. How do you deal when you’re overwhelmed or underperforming?

It’s easy to forget that project managers are people, too. They’re hired to perform project management processes and lead a project to success, but they can suffer the same setbacks as anyone on the team over the course of the project life cycle. The difference between a good and a great project manager is the ability to monitor oneself and respond proactively to any drop-offs in performance.

18. How do you work with customers, sponsors and stakeholders?

Even project managers have to answer to someone. Responding to executives, project sponsors and stakeholders requires a different approach than the one they’d use with teams and vendors. Part of their duties includes managing stakeholders who hold a position of authority over the project manager. That takes a subtle touch.

19. If the project isn’t adhering to schedule, how do you get it back on track?

Knowing that a project isn’t keeping to its schedule is only as important as being able to get the project back on track. Once a project manager is aware of the discrepancy between the actual project schedule and the schedule baseline estimated in the project plan, they need to take action, such as project crashing or fast-tracking. Any project manager worth hiring will be able to answer this with practical specifics. On these types of questions, it’s best to answer with the STAR method.

20. Do you have budget management experience?

It helps to drill down into specific aspects of the project management experience of your candidates. Naturally, if the candidate has specific skills, they’ll be briefly sketched in the resume. But here’s your opportunity to get a deeper sense of where they stand in terms of their experience with project management processes such as budget management. Project managers are known as planners. They create a project schedule and lead teams to success. But there’s often money involved, so they should know how to handle a project budget.

21. How do you know the project is off track?

Every project hits a snag along the way, but not every project manager is aware of that delay until the project budget or project schedule is affected. The ability to monitor and track the progress of a project and tell immediately when it’s not meeting the benchmarks you set in the project planning phase is perhaps the most important duty of a project manager. It’s also important to see if the project manager candidates have experience implementing a risk management plan to mitigate risks and keep projects on budget and schedule. ProjectManager has project dashboards to help project managers spot issues before they become serious problems.

22. What project management software do you prefer?

A project manager needs project management tools to plan , monitor and report on the project. There are many, from simple to complex. This question reveals first how up-to-date the candidate is regarding software and project management tools. Additionally, it provides a picture of what tools and processes they use to manage a project.

Most project managers heavily rely on Gantt charts when it comes to project planning and scheduling. ProjectManager has award-winning online Gantt charts that allow project managers to plan every phase of their projects. Managers can create dependencies, add milestones, assign tasks, manage workload and more—all from one screen. Any project manager you hire would appreciate the power of our planning tools.

23. What’s your preferred project management methodology?

There are almost as many ways to manage a project as there are projects. From traditional methods like waterfall to hybrid methodologies, you want a project manager who understands the many ways to work. And more importantly, can they use the project management methodology that best suits the work at hand?

Out-of-the-Box Project Manager Interview Questions

Lastly, employers will often make out-of-the-box questions to relieve the tension of the interview and be able to get a better idea of what the candidate’s personality is like.

24. How tall are the pyramids in Egypt?

Talk about not being prepared. Who’s going into a job interview with this information in their head? You don’t want an accurate answer to this question, but you do want to see how the project manager deals critically and seriously with the question. Because during the project, they’ll be sidelined with unexpected challenges and questions.

25. What’s something you don’t want us to know?

Ouch. Yes, you need to go there and make the candidate uncomfortable. It’s not that you want to learn some secret or catch them in an unethical act. Less important than the content of their answer is the way they deal with the question. You’ll get a better picture of the person instead of the persona they’re presenting. It also shows their communication skills while under pressure. It might seem cruel, but it’ll help you get to the heart of the person that you’re going to trust with the management of your project.

Tips for Preparing for a Project Manager Interview

One tip for preparing for your project manager interview is to get familiar with the above questions to give you a sense of confidence when in the interview. This will go a long way. People want to hire people that they can trust.

Other than that, you should do your homework. Research the organization you’re interviewing at and know their history and what they do. Also, study the job description and make sure you understand what’ll be expected of you.

If you know who the hiring manager is, you can also do a bit of research on them. You don’t want to come across as a stalker, but it could help you feel more comfortable having a bit of background on the person.

Finally, practice. Ask a friend you trust to be honest with you and ask them to act as the interviewer. They can ask the questions above. It’ll help you get comfortable answering them. Take constructive feedback from your friend and hone your answers and mannerisms to be the best applicant.

How ProjectManager Helps Project Managers

If you’re a project manager or are looking for one, then you have projects to execute. Projects need more than a good project manager to lead them, they need project management tools, too. ProjectManager is online project management software that helps project managers plan, monitor and report on the project, while team members collaborate on tasks online. It’s ideal for the whole organization.

Dashboards to Track Your Projects

Monitoring a project is the only way to make sure your team is aligned with the project plan. Online Gantt charts measure the progress of each task, but project managers want a bird’s-eye view. ProjectManager has a real-time dashboard that tracks six project metrics to help project managers monitor the overall progress of the project. The dashboard also helps project managers keep their stakeholders in the loop.

Generate Reports for Stakeholders

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

Interview presentations have now become the new norm for most industries. They are popular for sales, marketing, technology, and academic positions. If you have been asked to deliver one for your job interview presentation, prepare to build a strong case for yourself as a candidate.

Giving a general presentation is already daunting. But selling yourself is always the hardest. Spectacular credentials and stellar expertise don’t count much if you cannot present them clearly, which you are expected to do during your interview presentation.

So, let’s prime you up for the challenge. This post is action-packed with job interview PowerPoint presentation examples and will teach you the best way to do a presentation without stressing too much!

Table of Contents

What is an Interview Presentation?

What should an interview presentation look like, how to prepare for a job interview presentation: the basics, define your structure, what slides to include, how to come up with 15-minute interview presentation ideas, how to conclude your interview presentation, how to prepare for an interview: the final tips, what to do at the first interaction with the company elevator pitch for interview, presentation design tips, how to overcome presentation anxiety, tips on maintaining positive body language throughout the presentation, your final act.

An interview presentation, also known as a job interview presentation or interview portfolio, is a formal and structured way for candidates to showcase their skills, qualifications, and suitability for a specific job position during an interview. It goes beyond the typical Q&A format of interviews, allowing candidates to demonstrate their expertise through a prepared presentation. Employers commonly request interview presentations in various industries, such as sales, marketing, technology, academia, and management roles. These presentations serve several important purposes: assessing communication skills, evaluating cultural fit, measuring expertise, analyzing problem-solving skills, and observing presentation skills. While the specific format and requirements of interview presentations vary widely, candidates typically receive guidelines from the employer regarding the topic, duration, and any specific criteria to be addressed. In essence, an interview presentation is an opportunity for candidates to make a compelling case for their candidacy, showcasing their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the job. It requires careful preparation, effective communication, and the ability to engage and persuade the interview panel. A successful interview presentation can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of securing the desired position.

Think of your interview presentation as a sales pitch.

Your goal is to convince the human resources team that you are the best candidate. The kick here is that you will present to a warm audience – you already impressed them enough with your resume to be called in for an interview. We recommend generating a strategy and presentation based on a 30 60 90 Day Plan .

Employers request interview presentations for a few simple reasons:

• To assess your communication and public speaking skills.
• To understand whether you are the right cultural fit for the company.
• To develop a better sense of how well-versed you are in the domain .

So, your first job is ensuring your presentation fits the criteria. Review the company’s job description again and jot down all the candidate requirements. Take the time to read about their company values and mission. Be proactive and ask precisely what you should cover during your presentation.

Most interview presentations will differ in content and style, but here’s a quick example to give you more context:

[ Use This Template ]

Before you get elbow-deep in designing that PowerPoint for a job interview presentation, do some scouting and reach out to the HR team with a few questions.

You want your presentation to be on-point and technically accurate, so ask your contact the following:

• How long should an interview presentation be? Fifteen minutes is the golden standard, though some employers may ask to cut it down to just 10 minutes or extend it to 20-25.
• Who exactly will be present? A conversational presentation would undoubtedly be welcomed by your peers and a team leader but may appear too casual for the senior managers or board of directors.
• Does the HR team have a particular agenda in mind? Ask some leading questions to understand what kind of skills/experience they want you to demonstrate. If needed, use a proper agenda slide to include your content.
• What’s the IT setup? Should you bring your laptop? Do you need an adapter to connect to their projector? What kind of presentation software have they installed – PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides?

Everyone appreciates clarity.

In fact, 89% of professionals state their ability to communicate with clarity directly impacts their career and income.

Your presentation should flow, not rumble. Make sure that your story is easy to follow and your key message is easy to digest, remember, and pass on. If you want people to retain your main points, opt for the following structure:

Source: this infographic was created with  3 Steps Editable 3D Ladder Infographic

Here’s an interview presentation example styled in this fashion.

What is: The company’s presence in the Middle East is low. Only 15% of revenues come from the top markets.

Why this matters: The UAE fashion market alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% during the next five years.

What could be: I have helped my previous employer open a flagship store in Dubai, have a lot of industry contacts, and am familiar with the local legislature. Your brand can expect a 17% revenue growth within one year of opening.

You can find even more ideas for designing your presentations in this post .

The choice of slides will largely depend on whether you are asked to talk about yourself or present on some task that you will be required to do as part of your job (e.g., create marketing campaigns).

Most interview presentation templates feature the following slides:

• Opening Slide
• Quick Bio/Personal Summary
• Career Path
• Education timeline
• Key Skills and Expertise
• Case studies/examples of the problems you have solved at your past jobs
• Your vision for your future role.
• What exactly can you bring in as the candidate (we will come back to this one later on!)

Can’t figure out where to start? Check out our AI PowerPoint generator to create an entire interview slide deck in a couple of clicks, or just download a job interview template . Swipe down to learn from the either of the following job interview presentation samples.

Typically, a talent acquisition team will suggest broad interview presentation topics for you. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, they may ask you to develop a sales presentation for some product (real or imaginary).

Some employers will request a short presentation about you or your hobbies to understand whether you are a good “fit” for the team and share the company’s values. Remember this: your audience will be assessing your aptitude for the role, no matter which topic you were given.

In fact, the interviewers at this point don’t care that much about your experience and skills. They want to know how you can apply those to solve the company’s pressing problems – meet sales targets, improve ROI from social media marketing or help them earn more revenue.

Your job is to make an educated guess… predict the most wrenching problem, and pitch your “magic pill” during your interview presentation.

I know what you are thinking – but how do I find the right opportunity/problem to tackle?

Businesses across different industries pretty much struggle with the same generic challenges related to either of the following:

Your topic should clearly address one of these areas and offer a potential roadmap for solving some specific problem within it.

Let’s say that you are applying for a sales role. Clearly, you will want to tackle the “customer audience” set of problems. To refine your idea, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you think of a new customer segment the company should target? Who are they, what do they want, and how you can help the company reach them?
• Do you have a network or experience to identify and pitch new clients?
• Can you think of new collaboration opportunities the company could use to attract a whole new niche of customers?

So a sample job interview presentation about yourself should include a series of Problem & Solution Slides , showing exactly how you will address that issue if the company hires you.

Here’s another PowerPoint presentation about yourself for job interview example worth using – incorporate a case study slide, showing how you have successfully solved a similar problem for your past employer.

Wrap up your presentation by laying out the key steps the company needs to take. Give an estimate of how much time it will take to tackle the problem, and what changes/investments should be made.

Your conclusion should tell this: “Hire me and I will solve this problem for you in no time!”.

Source: StockSnap

Dial-Up Your Power

Take a deep breath and strike a “power pose” before you enter the room.

According to her research, power posers performed better during interviews and were more likely to get hired. Another study also proved this theory: unaware judges gave major preference to the power-primed applicants. So yes, pep talks do work!

The first 30 Seconds Count The Most

What you do and say in the first 30 seconds will make the most impact. Psychological  research  shows that listeners form opinions about your personality and intelligence in the first 30 seconds of the interview. So be sure to start with a compelling opening, framing exactly how you want to be perceived.

Try To Appear Similar to the Interviewer

Lauren Rivera, a professor from Kellogg School,  came to the conclusion that interviewers tend to hire “people like them” .

Even the top human resource management folks fall for this bias and tend to base their evaluations on how similar a candidate is to them, instead of trying to decide whether the person’s skill set is ideal for the position. So to be liked, you will have to act relatable.

Back up your statements with facts

To deliver a presentation with a bang, you can make use of pre-analyzed facts to support your hypothesis. Make sure to do your homework, study the company and its competitive landscape, and do the professional work you would have done as a member of the company crew. At some point in your interview presentation, you go “off the script”, and pull out a bunch of documents, supporting your statements.

For example, you can give away a quick plan indicating a number of things the employer could do today to save money, even if they don’t hire you. Make sure to be meticulous; your work will speak for you. But giving away this work will show the employer your commitment, skills, and focus.

And that’s exactly how to make your job interview presentation stand out. Most candidates just ramble about their skills and past career moves. You bring specificity and proof to the platter, showing exactly what makes you a great hire fair and square.

Within a selection process, there are many interactions (interviews and dynamics) that you must successfully complete in order to be the next selected candidate. One of your objectives in this first interaction should be to generate a great first impression in the company. For this, we recommend using the Elevator Pitch for Interview technique.

The Elevator Pitch for Interview will allow you to present yourself in a solid and professional way in less than 60 seconds, in order to generate an outstanding first impression.

What is an Elevator Pitch for an Interview?

The Elevator Pitch is a condensed speech about yourself that aims to generate engagement in no more than 60 seconds. Entrepreneurs widely use this type of speech to persuade investors and job seekers in job interviews. Your Elevator Pitch for the Interview will generate a great first impression to the employer and be better positioned than other candidates. If your goal is to make a convincing presentation in a job interview, your Elevator Pitch needs to be well crafted.

How to Make an Elevator Pitch for an Interview

There are many ways and tips to make an excellent Elevator Pitch for a job interview. This section provides you with essential advice to make your interview more convincing.

Identify your target

You need to know to whom you are presenting yourself. Is it a recruiter? or an executive?. Your Elevator Pitch will change depending on the receiver.

Comprehend the needs of the hiring company

Make an advanced study about the search requirements for the job position. Identify your strengths. Highlight them. Demonstrate your experience. Identify your weaknesses. Show that you have a profile that seeks constant improvement

Create a clear, concise, and truthful Elevator Pitch

This point is critical. Your Elevator Pitch must be clear, concise, genuine, and impactful. Go from less to more. Generate a real hook in your audience. Try not to go off-topic or talk too much, and be brief in everything you want to say.

Speak naturally and confidently

If you can speak fluently and naturally, you can show a confident profile. Show you know what you are talking about and what you want.

Elevator Pitch Example for Job Seekers

This section illustrates an Elevator Pitch Example targeted to Recruiters. It will help you put together your own.

“My name is [NAME]. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, I have spent the last five years accumulating professional experience as a Project Assistant and Project Manager. I have successfully managed intangible products’ planning, strategy, and launch these past few years. I was excited to learn about this opportunity in Big Data – I’ve always been passionate about how technology and the use of information can greatly improve the way we live. I would love the opportunity to bring my project management and leadership skills to this position.”

Ways to avoid common mistakes in your Elevator Pitch

Keep in mind the following points to avoid making mistakes in your Elevator Pitch for an Interview.

Don’t hurry to make your Elevator Pitch

The Elevator Pitch lasts approximately 60 seconds. Do it on your own time and naturally, as long as you make it clear and concise.

Do not always use the same Elevator Pitch for all cases

One recommendation is not to repeat the same Elevator Pitch in all your interviews. Make changes. Try new options and ways of saying the information. Try different versions and check with your experience which generates more engagement and persuasion.

Make it easy to understand

Articulate your pitch as a story. Think that the person in front of you does not know you and is interested in learning more about your profile. Don’t make your Elevator Pitch challenging to appear more sophisticated. Simply generate a clear and easy-to-understand narrative, where all the data you tell is factual and verifiable.

Don’t forget to practice it

Practice is the key to success. Your Elevator Pitch for Interview will become more professional, convincing, and natural with practice.

How to End an Elevator Pitch?

An essential aspect of ending an Elevator Pitch for an Interview is demonstrating interest and passion for the position. You have already presented yourself and established that you have the necessary background for the job. Closing with phrases revealing passion and attitude will help reinforce your pitch.

We recommend you use expressions such as:

“I have always been interested and curious about the area in which the company operates, and it would be a great challenge for me to be able to perform in this position.”

“I have been interested in moving into your company for a while, and I love what your team is doing in IT.”

“I would like to advance my career with an employer with the same values. I know that thanks to my profile and experience, I can make excellent contributions to your company.”

Keep It Visual: Use visuals like images, graphs, and charts to convey your points effectively. Visuals can make complex information more accessible and engaging. Consistency Matters: Maintain a consistent design throughout your presentation. Use the same fonts, color schemes, and formatting to create a cohesive look. Practice Timing: Be mindful of the allotted time for your presentation. Practice to ensure you can comfortably cover your content within the time limit. Engage the Audience: Incorporate elements that engage the audience, such as questions, anecdotes, or real-world examples. Interaction keeps the interview panel interested. Use White Space: Avoid cluttered slides. Use white space to create a clean and uncluttered design that enhances readability.

Presenting during a job interview can be nerve-wracking. Here are some strategies to overcome presentation anxiety:

• Practice: Practice your presentation multiple times, ideally in front of a friend or mentor. The more you rehearse, the more confident you’ll become.
• Visualization: Visualize yourself by giving a successful presentation. Imagine yourself speaking confidently and engaging the audience.
• Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing can help calm nerves. Take slow, deep breaths before and during your presentation to reduce anxiety.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your qualifications and the value you bring to the role.
• Focus on the Message: Concentrate on delivering your message rather than dwelling on your anxiety. Remember that the interviewers want to learn about your skills and experiences.
• Arrive Early: Arrive at the interview location early. This gives you time to get comfortable with the environment and set up any technical equipment you use.

Maintain Good Posture: Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back. Good posture conveys confidence and attentiveness. Make Eye Contact: Establish and maintain eye contact with your audience to show confidence and engagement. Use Open Gestures: Employ open gestures, like open palms and expansive arm movements, to convey enthusiasm and openness. Smile and Show Enthusiasm: Genuine smiles and enthusiastic facial expressions demonstrate passion and eagerness. Control Nervous Habits: Be mindful of nervous habits like tapping or fidgeting, which can distract your audience and convey anxiety.

Stop fretting and start prepping for your interview presentation. You now have all the nitty-gritty presentation tips to ace that interview. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the design part, browse our extensive gallery of PowerPoint templates and cherry-pick specific elements ( diagrams , shapes , and data charts ) to give your interview presentation the top visual appeal.

Here you can see some 100% editable templates available on SlideModel that could be useful for preparing an interview presentation.

1. Versatile Self-Introduction PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Professional Curriculum Vitae PowerPoint Template

This a sample of PowerPoint presentation template that you can use to present a curriculum and prepare for a job interview presentation. The PPT template is compatible with PowerPoint but also with Google Slides.

3. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

4. Multi-Slide Resume PowerPoint Template

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• Project management |
• 20 project manager interview questions ...

20 project manager interview questions and answers

Landing a project management interview is a big accomplishment. But you’ll only get a chance at the job if you prepare for the interview properly. In this article, we cover some of the most common project manager interview questions and answers so you can ace this interview and get hired.

Take a deep breath—we’re here to help. If you have an interview for a project manager position coming up, this post is for you.

What does a project manager do?

Before we dive into common project manager interview questions, let’s take a look at what a project manager actually does. 

The title project manager has changed significantly over the years. Initially, project manager roles were highly specialized technical positions, and project managers themselves were certified in complicated, complex project management tools. Luckily, modern project management tools have made project management accessible to a broader variety of roles—and now, more often than not, a project manager is less focused on the technical element and more focused on aligning stakeholders, driving clarity, and hitting project goals. 

The definition of project management varies between companies, departments, and positions. For example, at Asana, we believe that if you’re managing projects, you’re a project manager, regardless of your job title. 

To get a sense of what your interviewer expects from you as a project manager, study the job description closely to understand the main responsibility of the position you applied for. Is it people management, cost management, risk management, program management , or something entirely different?

If you know what exactly this project manager job will entail, you can use this information to better prepare for the interview. This will also help you figure out which of the questions and answers below are going to be the most helpful for your interview prep.

1. Tell me about yourself.

While it’s technically not a question, more often than not, this is going to be the first thing an interviewer wants you to talk about. Think of your answer as your elevator pitch—this is your chance to briefly summarize who you are, why you’re here, and what makes you the best candidate.

What the question means: For the interviewer, it’s a great way to ease into a conversation, give the candidate a chance to settle in, and give a first impression. The interviewer wants to find out who you are as a person and why you’ve applied. 

How to answer: Briefly explain your last project or current position. Then name a few project planning skills you’ve learned in your previous job and how they’ve prepared you for this position. Stay positive, be truthful, and let your passion shine through. 

What not to say: Don’t just restate your resume. The interviewer has that right in front of them. Tell them something they don’t know and can’t find out from your resume alone. Also, keep it professional and read the room—not every interviewer cares about your new puppy (unfortunately).

2. Do you have experience working from home and managing a remote team?

Since working from home has become the norm for many companies, it’s possible that you’ll have to manage a fully remote team either now or in the future. Project manager positions are often team leads or project leads, so your interviewer may want to learn more about your experience in this area.

What the question means: Virtual managers face more challenges than managers who share the same office space as their teammates. The interviewer wants to find out if you have previous experience managing virtual teams .  

How to answer: If you have experience managing a remote team, that’s great! Talk about some of the challenges you’ve faced not being in person and how you overcame them. If you don’t have a ton of relevant experience, talk about how you can use project management tools and team bonding exercises to connect, communicate, and collaborate with remote teams.

What not to say: Don’t downplay the challenge of keeping virtual team members motivated and engaged. Your interviewer needs to know that you take team morale seriously and understand what it takes to connect with your team in a remote world.

3. How do you keep your team motivated?

If your project team doesn’t feel motivated, they’ll struggle to complete their high impact work. This can cause project delays and lack of quality in your deliverables. As a project manager, one of your responsibilities is knowing how to keep your team motivated and moving towards the project objective .

What the question means: The interviewer wants to find out what your tactics are for keeping a team engaged and motivated. 

How to answer: You can start by describing the work environment you hope to build for your team. Besides a place where teammates feel valued, seen, and understood, it’s also important to set transparent goals and expectations for your team. Explain how setting realistic project milestones doesn’t just keep the project on track but also fosters effective teamwork.

What not to say: Don’t talk about monetary rewards like raises or promotions. Teams that complete their work for extrinsic motivation only aren’t going to feel as fulfilled as teams that feel intrinsic motivation to perform well.

4. What is your leadership style of choice?

There are several different leadership styles out there and while some may be more popular than others, there is no right or wrong leadership style. In fact, your team members may benefit from different leadership styles depending on their unique personalities, the projects they’re currently working on, and the challenges they’re facing. 

What the question means: While the terms leadership and management are often used interchangeably, not every manager is a leader and not every leader is a manager. If the interviewer asks this question, they’re probably looking for someone who can be both—so it’s important that you know what your leadership style is. 

How to answer: Be sure that you know what different leadership styles entail. Know the risks and benefits of your leadership style so you can confidently answer follow-up questions about your specific leadership skills, like:

As a democratic leader , how do you ensure that your team still trusts you when you make a decision without their input?

How do you approach conflict resolution as an affiliative leader?

As a transformational leader, how do you combat pressure your team may feel because of your constant involvement?

What is your communication style as a transactional leader ?

As a laissez-faire or delegative leader, how do you keep your team on track?

What not to say: Don’t wiggle your way out of the question by simply saying your leadership style depends on the situation. If that’s true and your leadership style is in fact situational , talk more about how you adapt your style and give examples of when you’d apply a supporting, coaching, delegating, or directing style.

5. How do you communicate bad news with your team?

Part of your job description as a project manager will be to deliver news to your team—good and bad. Whether you’re managing people or projects, at some point, you’ll likely have to relay bad news to your team.

The way you handle sticky situations, like communicating that you’re not hitting a project’s goals or are losing funding for an exciting initiative, will be a reflection of how qualified you are to be a manager.

What the question means: The interviewer likely wants to find out if you have both the integrity and communication skills to deliver bad news to your team without causing misunderstandings or issues.

How to answer: Acknowledge that the challenge of communicating bad news is that you have to balance representing and understanding both the emotional response of your team and the decision of higher-level executives. Explain that the best way to effectively communicate bad news is to prepare yourself. 

Once you’ve prepared and practiced how you’ll deliver your message, you’ll do your best to use direct language when communicating the news to avoid misunderstandings. It’s also important that you set aside time for questions from your team and establish next steps so they feel prepared for what’s to come.

What not to say: Don’t try to answer this question with a positive spin. Bad news is bad news and there’s no reason to sell it as something it’s not. Instead, be realistic and ensure that you show the interviewer that you understand the potential risks and severity of a scenario like this.

6. How do you prioritize tasks?

As a project manager, your workday can change in an instant. New tasks, change requests, or a confused stakeholder who needs clarification right away can throw off your entire schedule. It’s important that you know how to prioritize work if you want to excel in this position.

What the question means: The interviewer is looking for a very direct and detailed answer on how you prioritize tasks. 

How to answer: Explain your go-to time management method . Perhaps you use the Eisenhower Matrix to find out which tasks need to be done right away or can be scheduled for later, delegated to someone else, or deleted altogether. 

Maybe you prefer to eat the frog and get your biggest and most complex task done first thing in the morning. Whatever your preferred method of task prioritization is, quickly explain what it is and give a specific example of how you’d apply it—or better yet, how you’ve applied it in the past.

What not to say: Don’t just say you go with the flow. A skilled manager will use tools and techniques to prioritize tasks by importance and urgency, so make sure to share your go-to approach with your interviewer.

7. How do you define an ideal project?

The answer to this is not “one that goes according to plan.” This question intends to find out more about what type of projects you prefer to work on.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to know what type of projects you feel most comfortable and confident working on. This is not going to be a guarantee that you’ll get the kind of project you describe but it’s going to give the interviewer a better sense of your skill set.

How to answer: The best way to answer this question is to be honest. Tell the interviewer what kinds of projects excite you the most. Perhaps you prefer projects that are super collaborative and innovative. Maybe you do your best work when a project is streamlined and there aren’t too many moving parts at the same time. Or you may do really well managing multiple small projects that run simultaneously. Whatever it is that you feel the most passionate about—tell the interviewer. And, if you can, give an example of a specific project you’ve done in the past that was really rewarding for you.

What not to say: Don’t lie and say you can handle any type of project. Even if that’s true, really dig into the type that excites you the most so your answer is more genuine.

8. How do you handle changes to a project?

Projects rarely go according to plan, which is why your position is so important. As the project manager, you’ll be in charge of adjusting the schedule, communicating changes, and adopting them accordingly. 

What the question means: The interviewer wants to know what kind of problem-solving strategies you’re familiar with. Depending on the level of your position, they may also want to know how familiar you are with change management processes .

How to answer: Showcase your ability to adapt to unexpected or uncomfortable situations when answering this question. Convince the interviewer that you’re quick on your feet and have successfully handled project changes before.

What not to say: Don’t be vague. If you’re struggling to explain how you handle changes to a project, give a real-life example instead. This will also show the interviewer that you’ve successfully managed a situation like this before.

9. What project management methods have you used in the past?

There are many different project management methodologies and chances are you’ve used or experienced more than one before. Whether you’re familiar with Agile work environments, the waterfall model, or running teams on Scrum —this is the time to showcase your knowledge.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to find out whether the project management methods you use fit the organization's style.

How to answer: Talk about the project management methodology you’re most familiar with and give an example of how you’ve used it. For example, you could talk about your experience with Scrum teams or talk about projects that you managed using Kanban boards . Explain why you used the given methodology and how it worked for your team and project.

What not to say: Don’t just toss around buzzwords. Make sure that you know what Agile means if you’re going to talk about applying this methodology. Interviewers notice whether or not you understand a methodology so it’s best to be prepared for follow-up questions.

10. What project management tools do you have experience with?

There is an array of project management software available and chances are, you’ve used your fair share of them. There really is no right or wrong answer to this question but you can get a few extra points if you personalize your answer.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to gain a sense of how many and what types of project management tools you’re familiar with.

How to answer: Truthfully answer what project management tools and software you’ve used in the past. If possible, find out what tools the company you’re interviewing for uses. You may find information on their website, on a review site, or get this kind of insight from an employee via LinkedIn. With this information on hand, you can tailor your answer to the tool the company uses and let the interviewer know that you’ve used it or something similar in the past.

What not to say: Don’t judge any project management tools. You may have a favorite (Asana, right?) or even a tool that gives you a headache just thinking about it, but now is not the time to pass judgment. Simply list the tools you have experience with and explain your skill level, if applicable.

11. Do you have experience with cost or budget management?

While not every project management position requires cost management knowledge, it’s a very common interview question for human resources, accounting, or finance management positions. So let’s take a look at the best way to answer it. 

What the question means: The interviewer is curious whether you’ve had to manage costs before and is likely looking for an example.

How to answer: If you don’t have experience managing budgets, be honest about it and let the interviewer know how you’re planning to build this skill. If you have budget or cost management experience, talk about the budget you’ve managed, what you were in charge of, and how you allocated additional resources when necessary.

What not to say: Don’t make up budgets you’ve never managed or talk about how you manage your personal budget if you don’t have professional experience. Being fiscally responsible is not the same as knowing how to manage a project budget. So be honest about your experience and skill level.

12. What motivates you to give your best to a project?

This is an excellent opportunity to talk about a project that went really well and explain why it was one of your best projects to date. Chances are, you were passionate, inspired your team, and led the project to success because you felt so motivated. 

What the question means: Motivation looks different to everyone. The interviewer wants to find out what keeps you motivated to get a better understanding of your personality.

How to answer: Think about what motivates you when you’re working. Is it a great team that loves to collaborate? Do you love showing up for work to solve problems? Do you get excited about learning new things and widening your skillset? Whatever satisfies and excites you to do your best in a project, share it with your interviewer and give an example if you can.

What not to say: Don’t say “money.” It’s obvious that money is a factor in why you’re motivated to show up for work every day but the interviewer is asking this question to find out what other factors drive you.

13. Tell me about a challenge you’ve faced and how you handled it.

As a project manager, you’ll encounter plenty of challenging projects. Share a challenge that turned into a successful project or a great learning experience with your interviewer to prove that you can handle roadblocks or setbacks.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. They’re looking for a specific example.

How to answer: The best way to answer this question is to apply the STAR method. This method allows you to break down a situation into four categories: 

Situation : Start with the situation you were in. For example, explain that your project team suddenly got smaller because two people were out sick for an extended period of time.

Task : Explain how you wanted to resolve the situation. For example, your goal was to ensure that you could still deliver the project on time.

Action : Describe the actions you took to reach your goal. For example, you first tried to get help from another team. When that didn’t work out, you had to outsource some of the simpler tasks to a freelancer to give your team the bandwidth for their work.

Result : Finish with the outcome of the situation. For example, hiring a freelancer allowed your team to focus on the important tasks and complete the project without delays. Plus, you ended up hiring that freelancer for your next project because they did such an amazing job supporting your team.

What not to say: Don’t talk about a personal challenge. The interviewer wants to know how you handle challenges like lack of resources, negative feedback, or project delays. Whether you have prior experience as a project manager or not, we’ve all faced difficult times at work before, so talk about a situation where you showed how well you can handle a challenge.

14. Why are you looking to leave your current job?

Obviously, there’s a reason you’re doing this job interview. And the interviewer is curious what you’re hoping to find here that you’re lacking at your current job.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to find out one of two things (or both): How do you speak of your former/current employer and what motivated you to apply for this position?

How to answer: Instead of looking back at your old or current employer, talk about what excites you most about this new opportunity. Are you excited about the possibility of relocating? Are you looking forward to gaining new skills or taking on more responsibilities? Perhaps you’re looking to improve your work-life balance and feel like this new company is the perfect place to do so. Let your excitement for the new role shine through—that will set you apart from other candidates.

What not to say: Don’t bash your former employer. No matter how dreadful your current or past job is or was, it’s important to look forward and stay positive in your interview.

15. Name three tactics you’ve used to develop and maintain great customer relationships.

Depending on your field, you may have to deal with customers or clients on a regular basis. If you’re skilled at creating and maintaining solid relationships, you’re going to be a great asset to your company.

What the question means: Happy clients or customers are important—the interviewer wants to know if you have more than one card up your sleeve when it comes to fostering meaningful professional relationships.

How to answer: Think about your past customer relationships and what they valued. Did they appreciate your quick and positive communication? Did you make them feel like they were your only client or customer? Did you consistently exceed their expectations? Were you able to understand their goals and speak their language? All of these are tactics proven to build and maintain strong business relationships. 

What not to say: Don’t brag about how great you are with clients or customers. Humility is one of the many tactics that help maintain positive professional relationships so make sure you’re staying humble in your interview to prove you’re capable of this.  

16. How do you inspire underperforming team members?

A successful project manager must be able to motivate their team, and this question probes both your communication and management styles.

What the question means: The interviewer is seeking insight into your leadership skills, specifically how you identify, address, and turn around instances of underperformance within your team. They're interested in your ability to inspire and motivate, rather than just manage.

How to answer: Begin by emphasizing the importance of understanding each team member's strengths, weaknesses, and personal motivators. Share a past experience where you identified the root cause of an underperforming team member, such as a lack of clarity, insufficient training, or personal challenges. Explain the steps you took to address the issue, which might include setting clearer goals, providing additional support or resources, or adjusting project roles to better align with team members' strengths.

Highlight the positive outcome of your actions, such as improved performance, increased team morale, or the successful completion of a project. It's crucial to convey empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to developing your team's potential.

What not to say: Avoid suggesting that underperformance is solely the team member's fault or implying that punitive measures are your go-to strategy.

17. How do you handle changes to a project’s scope, especially in the middle of a project?

This question explores a project manager's adaptability, strategic planning skills, and decision-making process—all of which are critical for managing the inevitable changes that occur during the project life cycle.

What the question means: The interviewer is looking to understand your process for managing scope creep and your ability to maintain project objectives, timelines, and budgets in the face of change. They're interested in your stakeholder management skills, decision-making process, and how you communicate changes.

How to answer: Start by acknowledging that changes to a project's scope are common and can sometimes lead to better project outcomes. Describe your initial step of evaluating the impact of the requested change on the project's timeline, budget, and resources. Emphasize the importance of good communication with stakeholders to understand the reasons behind the change and to set realistic expectations.

Share a past experience where you successfully managed a scope change by conducting a thorough impact analysis, obtaining necessary approvals, and adjusting project plans accordingly. Highlight how you kept the team informed and motivated, managed stakeholder expectations, and ensured the project remained on track. Stress the importance of flexibility, but also of having robust change management processes in place to assess and integrate changes efficiently.

What not to say: Avoid suggesting that you resist all changes to project scope or that you accommodate changes without assessing their impact and obtaining the necessary approvals.

18. Can you describe your experience with Agile project management?

This question targets a project manager's familiarity and proficiency with Agile methodologies, which are vital for managing projects in dynamic and fast-paced environments.

What the question means: The interviewer is gauging your understanding of Agile principles, practices, and frameworks (such as Scrum, Kanban, etc.) and how you've applied them in real-world projects. They're interested in your ability to adapt, collaborate, and deliver value quickly and efficiently.

How to answer: Briefly explain your understanding of Agile project management and its importance in fostering collaboration, flexibility, and customer satisfaction. Then, share past experiences in which you successfully managed projects by applying Agile practices. Discuss how you facilitated sprint planning, guided daily stand-ups, and conducted reviews to ensure continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement. Highlight any challenges you faced, such as resistance to change or team alignment issues, and explain how you overcame them.

It's also beneficial to mention any certifications or training you've completed in Agile project management. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and your proactive approach to managing projects.

What not to say: Avoid giving the impression that you are unfamiliar with Agile methodologies or that you prefer not to use them, especially if the organization you're interviewing with follows Agile practices.

19. Can you briefly tell us about the last project you worked on?

This question offers a window into your recent project management experiences, showcasing your project planning skills, challenges you've overcome, and ability to deliver results.

What the question means: The interviewer is seeking a snapshot of your project management style, including how you handle project schedules, dependencies, and metrics to ensure success. They're interested in your ability to lead, adapt, and apply lessons learned to future projects.

How to answer: Begin with a brief overview of the project, including its objectives, scope, and team dynamics. Highlight your specific responsibilities, such as planning, execution, stakeholder management, and any particular methodologies or tools you used (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Gantt charts, etc.). Discuss a key challenge you faced and how you addressed it, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Conclude with the project's outcome, emphasizing any successes or achievements, and reflect on a valuable lesson learned or how the experience has prepared you for future projects. This approach shows your competence, leadership, and ability to reflect on and grow from your experiences.

What not to say: Avoid giving a vague or overly general response that doesn't provide insight into your capabilities or the specifics of the project. Also, steer clear of placing blame on others for any difficulties encountered during the project.

20. What is your experience with stakeholder management, and how do you balance conflicting priorities and demands?

A successful project manager must be able to communicate with stakeholders while balancing conflicting priorities. This project management interview question gauges your capacity to resolve conflicts and prioritize effectively.

What the question means: The interviewer is seeking insight into your ability to engage with various stakeholders, each with their own interests and expectations, and how you navigate the complexities of competing demands and priorities that are a reality in most projects. They want to know if you can maintain a strategic perspective while ensuring stakeholder satisfaction and project alignment with business goals.

How to answer: Begin by summarizing your approach to stakeholder management, emphasizing good communication, transparency, and relationship building. Provide specific examples of how you've identified and engaged stakeholders in past projects. Then, transition into discussing your methods for prioritizing demands, such as using a decision-making framework, leveraging project management tools, or applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Highlight a past experience where you successfully balanced conflicting priorities, detailing the outcome and what you learned from the experience. It's essential to convey that your approach is systematic, adaptable, and tailored to the unique needs of each project. 

What not to say: Avoid suggesting that you prioritize tasks solely based on intuition or without a clear, consistent methodology.

Tips for acing project management interview questions

Knowing what to say is important, but a job interview is about much more than just saying the right things. You’ll want to leave a great impression and make sure that your personality stands out from the rest of the candidate pool (especially in person or via Zoom). Here are our favorite tips to leave hiring managers and recruiters with a great impression.

Understand PM terminology. You should familiarize yourself with common project management terms . That way, when they come up during the interview, you don’t have to ask what they mean first and potentially risk your chances of getting the job.

Practice clarity and confidence. Besides rehearsing answers to common interview questions, work on delivering your answers with confidence and clarity. This includes practicing your body language to make sure it conveys confidence.

Ask for clarification when needed . If a question is unclear or you're unsure of what's being asked, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. It's better to get more information than to answer incorrectly due to a misunderstanding. This also demonstrates your communication skills and attention to detail.

Prepare with real-world examples . Equip yourself with past experiences that demonstrate your project management skills and accomplishments. Tailor these stories to the job description and the skills it requires, showing how your background makes you the perfect fit for the role.

Go get that project manager job!

Now that you know what to say (and what not to say) during your job interview, we’re sure you’re going to nail it. 

And if you land the job, make sure you utilize tools that make your life easier, like Asana’s project management software that’s designed to minimize app switching. That way, you and your new team can keep everything from messages to timelines in one place and focus on what’s really important.

Related resources

Critical path method: How to use CPM for project management

Unmanaged business goals don’t work. Here’s what does.

How Asana uses work management to drive product development

How Asana uses work management to streamline project intake processes

8 Surefire Ways to Nail Your Job Interview Project Presentation

The 2021 job market can be a dog-eat-dog world, and employers want to ensure they are hiring only the best and brightest candidates. Acing the interview , therefore, is one of the most vital steps toward landing that dream job.

Increasingly, it takes a lot more than a charming personality and charismatic public speaking skills to wow potential employers. Job interview presentations have become a common step in the hiring process. Job candidates are asked to deliver a short speech or presentation on a given topic.

Employers look for a variety of qualities in job interview presentations. They demonstrate if candidates possess strengths such as effective communication skills, knowledge and aptitude in the field, research skills, the ability to organize information, confidence and enthusiasm.

Most importantly, the interview presentation gives job candidates the opportunity to impress interviewers and stand apart from the competition. A great way to accomplish both of those goals is by creating a visual presentation for your job interview. While you always want to ask and be sure presenting a slide deck during your interview is permissible, the extra effort will go far in cementing a positive impression.

At the same time, your visual presentation won’t stand out from the crowd if it’s just another generic frankendeck that looks like so many others. Fortunately, there are plenty of PowerPoint alternative visual presentation software options that can help design a creative and unique slide deck. 

Presenters who design their decks with Beautiful.ai can save time creating a professional-level slide show thanks to artificial intelligence— the built-in designer automatically adjusts the design and format of hundreds of smart slide templates as content is added to them.

Beautiful.ai users don’t have to worry about knowing how to prepare a job presentation for a job interview. The presentation software offers a host of presentation templates for story inspiration, as well as new themes designed to inspire colors and fonts that compliment your story.

Want to nail your job interview presentation? The following eight tips should help you to master your job interview presentation project and score that dream job:

1. Pick a winning topic

When recruiters request an interview presentation, they may or may not request a specific topic. Never assume it’s your choice, however. If job interview presentation ideas aren’t provided, be sure to ask the recruiter if the interviewers have a preference or if you should choose your own.

If you are asked to choose your own interview presentation topic , consider topics about which you are passionate but also that will be more likely to also interest your audience. Try to choose a unique or exciting angle that hasn’t been covered in thousands of interviews before yours. Interview presentation topics should also be positive, professional, and show how bringing you on board will benefit their team. 

2. Know your audience

Don’t stop with researching your interview presentation topic. Be sure you also research the company, the current business strategies, and the audience to whom you’ll be presenting.

Get an idea of their levels of expertise so you can present the information at an understandable level. You definitely don’t want to bore your interviewers or even offend them by inadvertently talking down to them, but you also don’t want to present information that flies right over their heads or that holds little comprehensible value.

If you can choose a topic about which your interviewers are passionate— like how your ideas will impact the business— and present it in a unique and creative angle, all the better. 

3. Research and fact check

Be sure you thoroughly research your presentation topic. After all, you’re delivering it for the utmost of professional reasons. Utilize data and statistics to reenforce both your research skills and your expertise.

However, checking and rechecking every presented fact is an absolute must. At the same time, be sure to reference the sources of your data and ensure it is all presented in your own words.

4. Grab attention

Obviously, you want your interview presentation project to grab hold of your interviewers’ attention. Nobody wants to put hiring managers to sleep. Motion is extremely effective at attracting visual attention.

After all, what happens if you see something move in the corner of your eye? No matter how intently focused you might be on something else, you’re probably going to turn and look toward the motion.

Animated presentations, therefore, are incredibly effective at grabbing that sought-after attention. Beautiful.ai users can infuse their slide decks by adding animated transitions between slides, animated infographics or even embedded video.

5. Structure your content

To ensure a clear delivery of its message, any presentation must be organized into a logical story structure that carries the topic from beginning to end. While every job interview presentation structure is unique, a good rule of thumb advises to break your presentation into three parts: beginning, middle and end— in other words, the introduction, the body and the conclusion.

The introduction is when you explain the subject of your interview project presentation and why it matters to the audience. The body, which can be divided into three or more sub-sections, contains all the data and supporting details. Finally, the conclusion restates the presentation’s primary message, summarizes the key points and leaves the audience with a lasting impression.

Beautiful.ai users don’t need to be experts at presentation design to design slide decks with effective structures. Instead, you can start with one of our curated presentation templates , ready-to-use designs that are fully customizable with just a few clicks. Presentation samples like our Creative Portfolio template or Small Business Plan template are ready to go with smart slides chosen for their ability to demonstrate specific types of processes and topics.

6. Illustrate your data

Presentation audiences are less likely to fully comprehend your data based on a list of facts and figures, and interview presentation audiences are no exception. Whether you're showing how you impacted growth at your last company, or sharing industry trends, visual aids like infographics, charts, and graphs give all of that data meaning.

Beautiful.ai users can not only choose from a variety of smart slide templates with charts and infographics, but our AI will ensure that every visual aid is simple, attractive and extremely informative. Presentation designers can even add extra pizzazz to their interview slide decks by controlling the animation of their infographics.

7. End on a high note

Obviously, you want your job interview to be memorable, and closing on a high note will help to ensure you leave a lasting, positive impression. Your visual presentation provides plenty of opportunity to close with a powerful conclusion.

Ending an interview presentation on a high note can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Some presenters choose to close with a moral to the story, an applicable joke or an inspiring quotation. Beautiful.ai’s many presentation templates feature all sorts of job interview presentation samples that users can reference for inspiration.

8. Practice and prepare

Practice makes perfect, and why would you rely on anything less when trying to land your dream job? By practicing your job interview presentation delivery, you can help ensure you customize it to the proper length, strategically control your nonverbal communication and ultimately deliver your presentation with authority.

While you want to sound confident, you don’t want to sound overly rehearsed, so create basic note cards to follow your structure, but don’t read from a script.

It’s also vital that you prepare for unexpected obstacles. After all, you rarely get a do-over when interviewing for a job. Plan ahead for what you’ll do if you should have technology failures like a malfunctioning projector, poor internet connection or lost audio feed. Be prepared for any situation, including a total loss of power. What would you do if you suddenly had to wing it?

Understanding your visual presentation software isn’t the only technical knowledge you might need in a modern job interview. Remote interviews conducted entirely in an online environment are increasingly common. 

Be mindful that engaging an online audience requires different strategies than engaging an in-person audience. Before creating your slide deck, be sure you’re familiar with the communications technology you’ll be using.

Take every effort to ensure your slideshow presentation is compatible with and you can comfortably use whatever conference software the potential employer uses, whether it be Skype, Zoom, Google Meet or another service.

Samantha Pratt Lile

Samantha is an independent journalist, editor, blogger and content manager. Examples of her published work can be found at sites including the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and Buzzfeed.

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Interview presentation preparation tips

The interview presentation is becoming more common in the hiring process. It gives employers a better overview of your general aptitude and provides you with an opportunity to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. But how should you prepare for an interview presentation? What should you include? What if it goes wrong?

4th Jun, 2021

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What is an interview presentation?

As you progress further in your career, particularly to executive level, you may be asked to give a presentation for interview. Perhaps you’ve been asked to conduct research and present your findings to a panel, complete a task and show how you approached it, put together a business plan and present your ideas, or even give a presentation about yourself and how you would excel in the role. Whatever you are presenting about, how you approach it should remain the same.

Many people find giving presentations intimidating, especially during an interview when you’re already nervous, but it’s something that you may have to do throughout your career – the sooner you tackle this skill, the better.

Why are you being asked to do a presentation for a job interview?

Many employers opt for a presentation-style interview as it gives a better overview of your general aptitude when compared to, or combined with, a traditional question and answer interview, like a competency-based interview . The interviewer is looking for proof that you can do the job and that you possess the required skills and traits.

Additionally, if you put time and effort into your presentation, this will highlight to the hiring manager that you are committed to the role and enthusiastic about joining the company. How many times have you been asked in an interview ‘Why do you want this position?’ or ‘What is it about this role that attracted you to it?’. They want to know how much you want this position, rather than just any position.

How to prepare a presentation for an interview

Where do you start? What should you include? The presentation is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience, and communication skills as well as your organisational skills and diligence – so start with the job description and person specification and pick out key skills and traits that the company is looking for. Then you can prepare your presentation around what they want to see.

For example, if the business is looking for someone creative, pay great attention to the style of your presentation. If it is looking for someone who is a confident public speaker, spend more time perfecting your speech. If attention to detail is paramount in the role, double and triple check your spelling and grammar. This is a great starting point and gives you something to build your presentation around.

What to include in an interview presentation

Although you may be tempted to go all out and show your potential employer that you are committed to the job, don’t fall into the trap of creating a 30-slide presentation with reams of text. Try to keep each slide short and significant and aim for no more than 10 slides. This ensures the information you deliver is memorable and will help you to stand out from other interviewees. Some interviewers may even give you a specific amount of time for your presentation, make sure you factor this in and don’t go over the time limit – otherwise you may appear to have poor time management skills.

Another way to make sure your presentation engages hiring managers is to include a range of formats to help you illustrate your points. Include graphs, statistics, diagrams, video clips, and images to help break up large volumes of text and maintain the attention of the interviewers.

If you are conducting research as part of your presentation, include quotes from industry leaders and/or research pieces. This gives your points authority and demonstrates your commercial awareness.

You should also try to incorporate the company’s colours, fonts, or style in your presentation. This will show that you have done your research and highlights your brand awareness.

Finally, check your spelling and grammar thoroughly! Small mistakes can really undermine the content of your presentation.

Tips for presenting at the interview

Presenting is a skill which can be learnt. Even if you are not a confident public speaker, the more you practice, the better you will become.

Present confidently and enthusiastically - Remember to speak clearly, make eye contact, and use open body language.

Don’t just read the slides - There is nothing worse than watching a presentation where the presenter has their back to you the whole time just reading reams of text from their PowerPoint notes.

Try not to talk too fast - Make sure you breathe, and take your time.

Practice, practice, practice - Ensure you are well rehearsed so that you are familiar with the structure of your presentation and are able to deliver it smoothly. If possible, practice your presentation with family members or friends to get used to speaking in front of other people.

Arrive early to give yourself time to set up the presentation and settle any nerves - Get comfortable with PowerPoint and presentation equipment. Make sure you know how to work any projectors, screens, or remote controls before you begin to avoid any awkward stumbles or pauses.

Stay within the allocated time - If you have not been given guidance on length, aim for the 10-minute mark. Time your presentation when you are practising to make sure it will fit within the time limit. If you need to reduce the content of your presentation, cut out the least relevant or weakest points.

Be prepared to adapt - You may have practised your presentation in a certain way, but the interviewer might not respond accordingly. Be prepared to be interrupted by questions or further discussion unexpectedly.

Breathe and try to enjoy it - By relaxing, you will find yourself presenting better and, if you enjoy it, your interviewers will respond to that and be better engaged with what you are saying.

Tips for keeping the interview presentation simple

It can take a lot of work to make something simple, yet effective, and when it comes to interview presentations less is often more. Keep it short - As previously mentioned, try to keep each slide short and aim for no more than 10 slides in total.

One idea per slide - To make sure your presentation is clear and concise, each slide should represent a different point/idea you want to make.

Stick to the important bits only - If you don’t think it’s important enough to spend time on, don’t have it on your slide.

Use the 4x6 rule - Aim for either four bullet points with six words per bullet point, or six bullet points with four words per bullet point. This way, your slides won’t look too busy.

Minimal text - Instead of writing paragraphs of text, use bullet points and a minimum font size of 24.

What's better for your interview presentation? Cue cards or presenting from memory?

Should you use cue cards in your presentation for interview or try to present from memory?

The answer to this question depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. If you find that having cue cards will help ease your nerves and ensure that you don’t forget your speech, then there is nothing wrong with that.

However, if you choose to use cue cards, you should not rely too heavily on them. You shouldn’t stand in front of the interviewers and look down at the cards continuously, neither should you write your whole speech out on the cards and read directly from them. They are cue cards for a reason and should only give you prompts on what to talk about. If your interview presentation has a lot of statistics on, using cue cards to remember the figures if you are unable to memorise them all is an excellent strategy.

What to do when things go wrong

You can practice your interview presentation as much as possible, but something may still go wrong and it’s important to be prepared for this eventuality. Here are some things that could go wrong and how to deal with them: Technical issues

There is not a lot you can do to prevent technical issues, especially if you are using someone else’s computer. But there are ways you can prepare just in case. Ensuring you have access to multiple sources of your presentation is key. Email the file to yourself and the recruiter, bring a copy on a USB stick and printed handouts. This way you are covered if anything goes wrong with the file you’re intending to use.

Your mind goes blank

Even those who are pros at presenting can sometimes lose their train of thought and find that their mind goes blank. The key here is not to panic. If possible, take a bottle or glass of water in with you and use this chance to take a sip, breathe and try to relax. Then look at your presentation slide or your cue cards and pick up where you left off. It may be helpful to repeat the last point you made as saying it out loud could spark your memory for your next point.

You are asked a question that you don’t know how to respond to

If you have allotted time at the end of your presentation to allow the interviewer to ask any questions (which is recommended), don’t worry if someone asks a question that you are not sure on. It may be that the interviewer is looking to see how you respond to a challenging question, so how you react is often more important than the answer itself.

If you do not understand the question, ask the person to explain. There is nothing wrong with doing this and shows more confidence than just saying that you don’t know. If you understand the question but are not sure of the answer, then admit that you don’t have the full answer, provide what information you do have, and offer to come back to them at a later date with a complete answer.

10-minute interview presentation template

Below is a presentation for interview example. Use this as a baseline and adapt or reorder where appropriate based on the task you have been set by the interviewer. Slide 1 - Introduction – Reiterate the objectives you have been set and lay out the structure of your presentation so that the interviewers know what to expect. Slide 2 - About you – Detail your professional experience, skills and working style. Slide 3 - Company history – Give a brief summary of the company history, any milestones or awards. Slides 4-7 - Answering the brief – Give your responses to questions you’ve been asked to answer, the benefits and limitations of your suggestions. Slide 8 - Question and answers – Include a slide titled ‘questions and answers’ as a cue to pause for interaction. Slide 9 - Conclusion – Sum up the key points you have made, reach a decision, and explain your reasoning. Slide 10 - Personal achievements – End the interview on a high with a brief slide highlighting achievements that show how you will succeed in the role.

For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’, or contact your local recruitment specialist today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A job interview presentation is all about selling yourself. Be confident, speak clearly, and make eye contact with the interviewer. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself and highlight your achievements. This is your chance to really show the interviewer that you are capable and have the necessary skills to do the job. By putting time and effort into your presentation, you can show them how dedicated you are to the role and the company. For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’.

Using cue cards can support you with your interview presentation, as long as you use them for their intended purpose. Do not write your entire presentation for interview out on cards and read from them word for word or constantly hold them in your hand and fail to make eye contact with the interviewer. Use them only to prompt you or for remembering key facts and figures. For more tips, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

If you have been sent a presentation brief that you do not understand – don’t panic. If there are words that you are not sure about, do some research and try your best to figure out what the organisation is asking of you. If you are still unsure, you could ask your recruiter as they may have seen this brief before and can give you an idea. If you are dealing directly with the hiring manager, then it may be worth checking that your interpretation of the brief is correct.

It is better to ask the question than present on something completely different to what the interviewer has asked. However, instead of saying to them that you don’t understand the brief and leaving it at that, tell them your understanding of it and ask if this is correct. This will show that even though you are unsure, you have taken the time to try to come to a conclusion yourself before asking for help. Download our free interviewing guide for more tips and advice.

How long your job interview presentation should last depends on what guidance you have been given. Thoroughly read the brief, as the recruiter or hiring manager may have specified the length of time you have for your presentation. If they haven’t given any indication, you should aim for 10 minutes, including time for questions and answers. For more tips on interviewing, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

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What Do Employers Look for in a Good Project Manager?

Questions to ask in your project manager interview, final thoughts, project manager interview questions.

Updated January 15, 2024

Project managers are sought after by employers of all shapes and sizes across a wide range of sectors, from professional services like finance, engineering and architecture , to charity and non-profit organizations.

The role they fulfill involves the day-to-day management of any given project, through planning execution and delivery.

Typical tasks that fall under a project managers responsibility include:

• Project coordination
• Delegation and team management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Risk assessment and management
• Quality control

This is a brief overview of the profession, and we’ll look at specifics in more detail throughout our top project manager interview questions .

If you’re yet to apply for a position, you might first want to read our article on how to write a project manager cover letter .

Since the responsibilities of a project manager are so diverse, employers look for candidates with a broad range of capabilities.

This will be a combination of hard skills learned through education and experience, and key traits inherent in your personality, known as soft skills .

Some of the most commonly sought-after qualities include:

Communication – You’ll need to interact with stakeholders at all levels and coordinate activities among multiple parties, making effective communication vital.

Leadership – Managing and motivating teams is a key part of successful project management, so employers look for capable leaders.

Adaptability – It’s rare a project ever runs 100% to plan, so you’ll need to show you’re adaptable and able to implement change whilst staying calm under pressure.

Budget management and negotiation – These skills are central to your role as a project manager.

Strategy and business acumen – Understanding how a project impacts on wider business objectives and how to strategize accordingly is a skill that many employers consider a top priority.

Technical skills and methodology – Proficiency in project management software and a keen understanding of project management methodologies is a huge bonus, although because these skills are more easily taught than others, some employers may not see them as vital to your success at interview. That said, if you have experience in the field, these are areas you’ll already be comfortable with.

All of the above are transferable skills that can be taken from one area of project management to another, so it’s not always necessary to have experience in a particular area. Though most employers will see industry knowledge and connections as a bonus.

Some roles may require additional qualifications, such as a Professional in Project Management certification (PPM) , but this will usually be advertised in the job posting or person specification.

Top 10 Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers

To help prepare you for your project manager interview , below is a list of some of the most asked questions, followed by sample answers.

Of course, every sector is different so your answers will need to be tailored to your experience and the role for which you’ve applied.

1. What Do You Consider the Most Important Skill for a Project Manager to Have?

The first of our top project manager interview questions is all about what you see your key attributes to be and how they relate to the role.

Remember here that technical skills , like software proficiency, can be taught, whereas soft skills are inherent. They can be improved upon, but if they’re not there to start with, they’re difficult to develop.

You may want to reference more than one skill in your response, but make sure you include justification for each.

Example answer:

The most important qualities for me are leadership and communication. Together, these make for a smooth-running project. It’s all about uniting and inspiring a team to succeed, whilst communicating clearly with every stakeholder at every stage of the process. Without these skills, even the most experienced project manager will run into difficulty.

2. How Do You Deal With Underperforming Project Team Members?

As they’re so crucial to successful execution, many project manager interview questions focus on your leadership skills , and this is no exception.

If you have a good example to share, do so, but try not to limit your answer to this scenario alone. Instead, talk around your wider management style and how this ensures a productive team environment.

I tend to find if a team member’s underperforming, it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve lost their sense of involvement in the project or they don’t have the support they need. It’s important to establish where the problem lies to find the best solution. In the first instance, it’s helping them find their motivation – showing them that without their input, the project will suffer. If it’s that they need support, then my delegation skills need assessing and I need to put new measures in place. Either way, criticism is never the best course of action. As a leader, my style is all about nurture and positivity. I see it as the best way to improve productivity.

3. What Was the Most Challenging Project You’ve Ever Faced?

This is an example of a competency-based question you might face in your project manager interview.

It might be phrased in a slightly different manner, but its purpose is to uncover how you react to complex or unexpected situations.

Key skills to demonstrate here are adaptability, assertive decision making, ownership and communication. It’s also important to include what you learned from the challenge.

I once worked on a project for the rollout of a new drug for arthritis. The focus of the project was to ensure buy-in from all internal sales reps and educate them on the groundbreaking benefits of the drug. As part of this, we held a series of three events, the first two focused on education and training, the final one on sales motivation and launch. The challenges arose early on. We had multiple suppliers involved in delivery, including a creative event production and AV team, a MedComms agency, and a creative agency. All were responsible for individual elements, but ultimately, they needed to work together towards a shared goal. It was clear that communication was not forthcoming between the agencies. Our key messages were becoming blurred and the event concept lost its focus. Deadlines were also being missed, which greatly held up the production side of things. The challenge was further compounded by the physical distance between each agency. I decided to make an in-person visit to each to discuss their issues and progression, before compiling a new project plan moving forward. I then organized weekly virtual meetings with all parties present to ensure they stayed on track, at the same time encouraging cross-agency communication. Everything eventually pulled together but not without a rocky road along the way. What I learned is that my responsibilities don’t end with my own internal project team, and when working with several third-party suppliers, I must maintain effective communication between all.

4. What’s Your Experience with Project Failure?

When planning project manager interview questions, employers don’t just look for examples of success. They’re also interested in candidates who can identify their weaknesses and use that knowledge to make improvements going forward.

That’s why they ask you to explain any past failures.

Make sure your response doesn’t just tell a story of when you missed out on success, but shows you understand why the failure occurred and what changes you made in its aftermath.

I was once hired by a software brand well established in the States and looking to launch their service in the UK market. As the project manager, it was my responsibility to travel overseas, find suitable offices, hire staff and implement a marketing campaign. On its first attempt, the project was a complete failure and the brand received zero traction. The UK office subsequently shut down and we went back to the drawing board. After a year of investigation, we landed on the conclusion that failure was in replicating the company culture the brand had in the US. This was a huge factor in its success but what I’d failed to do was recreate that with UK working culture in mind. What I learned on a personal level was that I’d gone into the project all guns blazing and neglected some very important details. We’ve since relaunched, and I’m pleased to say the firm's UK arm is now performing well.

5. What Project Management Tools Do You Have Experience With?

There are a wide range of project management tools available, some designed for a specific industry, others used more generically. Each organization will have its own preferred system so this question is designed to establish if you have proficiency in the software it uses or something similar.

Before the day of your interview, read the job description to see if there’s mention of any specific tools.

If you do have the experience, great. If not, make it clear what software you are proficient in, and that you’re willing to learn to use any new platforms necessary.

My main experience is with Basecamp, though I also have experience using Slack for smaller-scale projects. I think Slack’s great for assigning and tracking tasks, but tools like Basecamp allow for far greater collaboration. I understand you use Celoxis, so I took the liberty of taking out a free trial period. It’s very intuitive and I already feel quite confident with the platform. I’d be happy to undertake further training should it be a requirement.

6. What’s Your Approach for Working with Sponsors?

Referred to as managing up , how you work with sponsors is of great interest to an employer, as these are the people for whom the project is being undertaken.

Ultimately, this question shows how you engage with those higher up the project ladder than you.

Your response should show first-class communication skills , as well as respect and an understanding of how different sponsors may seek different involvement in any given project.

I’ve had experience with all sorts of sponsors in the past, some who love taking a hands-on approach and others who prefer minimal involvement. My approach is based entirely on theirs. I always seek to establish a relationship at the outset and use this to judge how best to move forward. If a sponsor is active, I’ll schedule regular meetings at their convenience to update them on progress, get their input and inform them of any issues. If they’re more of a silent partner, I’ll generally leave meetings in their hands. Of course, should an issue arise that required sponsor involvement, I’d contact them immediately. For me, it’s all about tailored communication on a sponsor by sponsor basis.

7. Tell Us About a Time a Project Was Not Going as You Planned and How You Got It Back on Track

Decision making is one of the key skills under scrutiny here, but it’s also about ownership and understanding that when a project veers off course, it’s your responsibility to set it right.

In your response, be sure to show you were aware of the implications for all stakeholders involved, as well as the actions you took to resolve the issue.

My background lies in construction project management, and one of the biggest challenges here is staying within budget. There was a recent project that went way over time because of unforeseen issues with the weather, which led to cost issues too. We had contingencies in place but I was keen to still deliver under budget. So, in the extended downtime we had, I ran comprehensive cost-saving exercises and worked closely with the architect to implement cheaper alternatives that didn’t compromise on the finish. As soon as the weather cleared up, we were able to hit the ground running with our new plan. We even managed to pull back some lost time. There were a lot of late nights but you have to roll with the punches and do whatever it takes to deliver for all stakeholders.

8. We’ve Adapted to a System of Working From Home. How Are You Prepared to Manage a Remote Team?

As working remotely is now the new normal for many people, this is a recent addition to the most common project manager interview questions.

Consider what experience you’ve had with this so far, the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them.

Remote collaboration is not an easy thing to manage. I’ve had experience with this firsthand over the past year and it’s certainly thrown up some challenges. I think a lot of people resorted to increased communication. Personally, I’ve found it to be about improved communication. Removing unnecessary phone calls or emails, trusting team members to focus on productivity, and using smart solutions like Slack to stay abreast of things. I’m not one for micromanagement, even when there are remote teams involved. What I find more important is maintaining team spirit, which I do through regular virtual meetings and feedback sessions, so everyone feels in the loop and valued.

9. What Do You Do if You’re Feeling Overwhelmed and Need Support?

Project management is a demanding profession, and employers are looking for candidates that have a level of self-awareness and won’t drive themselves to burnout.

You could make mention of an open-door policy or any other procedures you’ve used in the past, but avoid an answer that implies you’re completely self-sufficient or work yourself into the ground for results.

The interviewer wants to hear that you’re able and willing to ask for help.

We’d all like to think we’re capable of handling everything on our own, but if I’m struggling, the project will struggle too. Honesty is paramount. In the past, I’ve used my company’s open-door policy to seek approval to bring another project manager on board temporarily. Before I take those measures, though, I look at what I’m overwhelmed by and see if I can improve delegation. I may be a project manager, but I’m part of a team, and good teamwork is knowing when to ask for help from those around you.

10. What’s Your Preferred Project Management Methodology?

There’s a multitude of project management methodologies, each with its own particular style. Some are more appropriate for particular projects than others, and it’s important to show you understand this.

It’s also important to consider that a business's preferred methodology will reflect its wider corporate culture , and what the employer is looking for is someone that’s the right fit for how they operate.

In the past, I’ve made most use of Agile methods like Scrum, but I find certain projects more suited to Lean methodologies. In most cases, I find a combination of the two works best in creating shorter lead times whilst eliminating unnecessary time and financial spend. As with all aspects of project management, adaptability is key – knowing when a method suits and when it needs revising.

As well as preparing to answer project manager interview questions, you should also come up with some of your own. Here are five to consider:

1. What’s the Typical Career Path for Project Managers within Your Company?

This shows you’re interested in developing within the company, and the response will help you determine if it offers opportunities that align with your plans for career growth .

2. What Key Metrics Do You Use to Determine a Team’s Success?

In asking this, employers will see your enthusiasm goes beyond the job itself and reaches more broadly to business objectives. It will also give you a good insight into company culture.

3. What’s the Biggest Challenge You Foresee for Whoever Takes on This Role?

This can bring up a topic of conversation as yet uncovered. If you have relevant skills to the challenges they mention, you can use this opportunity to expand on them. It also shows them you are keen to hit the ground running.

4. What Does Success Look Like for Your Stakeholders?

Again, this demonstrates a wider commitment to the role. The interviewer will see you already have your sights set on delivering optimum results for everyone involved.

5. What Is the Current Team Dynamic Like? What Is the Working Style?

Lastly, you’re showing that you’re keen to establish a culture fit and are looking to determine if the team you’ll be managing is right for your leadership style.

Preparation for your project manager interview will be the key to your success. Do your company research and learn all you can about what projects you’re likely to be involved with.

Practice your interview technique on friends and family and make a good first impression with a well-chosen outfit , by arriving early, and staying calm and confident.

A lot of project manager interview questions will require you to implement the STAR method , so you should also practice forming your answers around a situation, task, action and result.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Interview Advice / Interview Questions sections.

Project Management Soft Skills

11 minute read

The Top 7 Project Management Interview Questions and Answers

Kat Boogaard

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You have an interview scheduled for a project management role you’re super pumped about. While you’re excited to be moving onto the next step in hopefully landing the job of your dreams, you also have those inevitable pre-interview jitters.

What should you wear? What if you get lost on the way to the office? And—perhaps the most nerve-wracking question of all—what the heck are they going to ask you?

Of course, you should prepare for those inevitable, standard interview questions—you know, the ones like, “What’s your biggest weakness?” and “Why do you want this job?”

But, you also know that there will be plenty of questions related specifically to the position, such as your relevant skills and experience. The thought of answering those in a way that impresses your interviewer? Well, that makes your stomach drop to your shoes and your heart start racing.

Hey, there’s no need to start huffing and puffing into a paper bag quite yet. We’ve pulled together seven common project manager interview questions—as well as some quality answers—that you can use to prepare for your upcoming project management interview. You’ve got this!

Ace the interview

Craft your responses with our handy worksheet.

7 project manager interview questions and answers

1. tell me about your favorite project that you’ve managed and what you enjoyed about it.

What they’re asking: Expect a fair share of behavioral interview questions —these are questions that ask you to recall and explain specific examples and experiences—during your project manager interview. This question, in particular, is a way for the interviewer to gauge what sort of project management experience you have under your belt, what sorts of projects you excel at managing and how much passion you have for the role.

How to answer: With any sort of behavioral interview question, you want to be as specific as possible. You don’t need to go into painstaking detail, but you should be prepared to elaborate with real situations and explanations. Try something like this:

"I really enjoyed managing the implementation of [new software program] at my last company. It gave me an opportunity to evaluate and refine any processes that weren’t really working for us. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to collaborate with every department in our office to ensure their needs were being met. It was challenging but definitely rewarding!"

2. What communication style do you use with a team that you’re managing?

What they’re asking: Being a strong communicator is one of the most important skills a project manager can possess, and that’s exactly what this question is getting at. At the center of everything a project manager does, there’s communication. From formal presentations and casual brainstorming sessions to in-person discussions and online collaboration, successful project managers need to know how to tailor their communication to effectively get a point across.

How to answer: This can be a tricky question to answer, especially when different circumstances require different communication styles. Start by recognizing that you understand the importance of successful communication, as well as how different styles are beneficial in different situations. For example:

"I think strong communication skills is one of the most critical qualities of a project manager. My communication style can vary greatly depending on the situation. During a conflict, for example, I tend to be more direct and assertive. But, during a team meeting, I prefer to sit back and be more of a facilitator of collaboration. I believe a strong project manager is able to adjust his or her communication style when necessary, and that’s something I excel at."

3. How do you set project goals? How do you monitor the progress of those goals?

What they’re asking: A project won’t get done without clear goals. And, typically, it’s up to the project manager to establish those objectives and keep a finger on the pulse of progress as well. This question is pretty straightforward. The interviewer wants to know how you handle those two important tasks -- setting SMART goals and monitoring progress toward those goals.

How to answer: As mentioned above, questions like this -- that relate directly to what skills and qualifications you bring to the table -- deserve a thoughtful, detailed and tactical response. Don’t just skate over your approach. Dive into any frameworks or tools you use to make this process more streamlined for you and your project team. Try something like this:

"I’m a big believer in setting SMART goals. Ensuring that the project team’s goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound helps to confirm that we’re setting ourselves up for success. I also make sure to sit down with the project team when setting goals in order to incorporate their own thoughts and opinions on where we should be headed. I find that’s important for increasing excitement around the goal while also maintaining realistic objectives. As far as monitoring progress, I use a combination of smaller milestones to keep an eye on progress, regular check-ins, and the always helpful Gantt Chart to ensure we’re moving in the right direction."

4. How do you deal with team conflict?

What they’re asking: Like it or not, conflict is pretty much inevitable on a project team. And, it’s the project manager’s job to make sure things get resolved in an efficient and effective manner. Understandably, the interviewer wants to know how you’ll fix the issue—and that you won’t just sweep things under the rug.

How to answer: Chances are, you have some experience dealing with conflict already. Think about how you’ve approached those situations in the past, and then use that to inform your answer:

"I’ve heard that there are three main approaches to conflict resolution : avoidance, defusion and confrontation. Typically, I utilize a combination of defusion and confrontation. First and foremost, I limit the interaction between the conflicting parties in order to get some separation and identify the root cause. Then, I facilitate one-on-one conversations in order to identify if there’s a certain task or stressor that’s causing the issue. At this point, the confrontation comes into play. I’ll facilitate a problem-solving meeting where the conflicting members can talk about the issues, reach a compromise, and move forward. I also make sure to continuously check in on that matter moving forward, to ensure that the root issue has been addressed, resentment has been eradicated and a new conflict isn’t brewing."

5. How do you ensure that your project is on schedule to meet the deadline?

What they’re asking: You need to live and breathe deadlines—you know that much. The employer’s goal with this question is simple: They want to confirm that you’re someone who can deliver a project on time and on budget.

How to answer: Start by recognizing that even the best-laid plans experience a curveball every now and then—every realistic project manager knows that. Then, explain in detail your typical approach to ensure that projects run smoothly. Try something like this:

"Meeting deadlines involves a balance of scope management and schedule management. First and foremost, I ensure that the team has a solid grasp of the scope of the project. Everybody needs to understand what needs to be done before it can be done on time. Then, I move on to schedule management, including time management processes required to complete the project by the deadline. I think it’s important to make sure these processes and a detailed schedule are somewhere that the entire project team can easily access, so there’s no confusion or question about when pieces need to be delivered. Of course, this schedule is flexible and will likely change as circumstances arise. But, that’s why I also think it’s important to frequently check in on progress and roadblocks to make sure things are coming together in accordance with the process and timeline."

6. Tell me about a recent challenge you encountered and how you overcame it

What they’re asking: Even the best, most thoughtful project managers will admit that sometimes things get sticky. Problems and surprises are inevitable, and the employer wants to be sure that they find someone who can roll with the punches and continue leading the team forward.

How to answer: This pesky behavioral interview question requires you to detail a real-world example. No project is flawless, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to think of a time when you ran into an issue. Ideally, you’ll want to talk about a challenge that resulted in a big win because of your clever self. Your answer could look something like this:

"I was tasked with overseeing the entire redesign and redevelopment of our company website. The engineering team and the design team were at a standstill about how to layout a specific page on the website, and it was slowing down the entire project. To shut down the various personal conversations and back-and-forth emails, I facilitated an entire team sit-down where everybody could voice their suggestions. We reached a compromise, and moved forward with the project, delivering it before the deadline."

7. What three skills do you think are most important to be an effective project manager?

What it’s asking: Of course, the employer has specific skills that they’re looking for in their next project manager. But, they want to hear from you about what you think are the most important competencies that you bring to the table.

How to answer: As you might suspect, you’re going to want to pick skills that are not only important to being a project manager, but also skills that you actually possess. You don’t want to plant seeds that undermine your qualifications, after all. You can even mention the “Talent Triangle” -- which are three skills required to get your PM certification -- to demonstrate your knowledge of the area.

"Of course, strong communication skills, excellent organization capabilities, and a keen ability to manage time are all crucial for being an effective and respected project manager. But, when looking at the overarching qualities that are necessary to be a strong project manager, I think the ‘Talent Triangle’ is the perfect breakdown. The combination of technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management makes for a well-rounded project manager who’s willing to work and manage in a variety of business functions."

Ready to ace your interview?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a crystal ball that would tell you exactly what you’ll be asked in your project manager interview? Unfortunately, you aren’t quite that lucky. The good news is you can use these project manager interview questions and answers to prepare, and knock your interview out of the park. 

Also check out the top project management myths , that could come up as a curveball question in your interview.

If you’re looking for an extra edge, brush up on your public speaking, body language or leadership skills with our  soft skills courses  before your interview. You can also optimize your application with a project management resume template. 

Eager to prepare even more for that upcoming interview of yours? Check out our other helpful resources for specific industries. They’re no crystal ball, but we like to think they’re the next best thing:

Startup Interview Questions: 8 Things Founders Will Ask You

11 Key Graphic Design Interview Questions and Answers

20 Most Helpful CSS Interview Questions and Answers

6 Most Helpful Soft Skills Interview Questions and Answers

13 Most Helpful HTML Interview Questions & Answers

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Kat is a writer specializing in career, self-development, and productivity topics. When she escapes her computer, she enjoys reading, hiking, golfing, and dishing out tips for prospective freelancers on her website.

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10-Minute Presentation Ideas – Questions and Answers

I have to give a 10-minute interview presentation. The topic is how I would manage and develop my territory. How many slides should there be? – Angela

The format I would suggest – probably 7 slides/ pages 1. Title slide with name – introduction 2. Outline the problem that you are trying to solve 3. Solution 1 4. Solution 2 5. Solution 3 6. Outline the benefits of these solutions

7. Wrap up and summarise the three key points

Make sure that you rehearse it well. With thanks to Doctor

I have to do a presentation with the title: “What Practical Steps Do You Take to Solve a Problem?” I just want some help as I am new to this. – Richard

There are a few steps to solving any problem. The first is identifying what the problem is. For example, the problem might be “We keeping running out of printer ink.” Then you need to look at what is causing this. Maybe the ink is not being delivered, or people don’t order the ink until it has already run out. Evaluate the evidence. The person ordering may claim they order in time, but if you look at the records, they might be reacting rather than anticipating the problem. Look at the possible answers to the solution; how can you change it? It might be possible to keep a replacement in stock, or automate the ordering process. Look at the pros and cons of each. With thanks to Giblets

I have a presentation on how children learn through play. Should I get the panel to do a quick play task as an example/ ice breaker? Or should I go straight into the presentation? – Prometheus The idea of giving a presentation through the ice breaker is a very good one. A Chinese proverb states: Tell me, I’ll forget Show me, I’ll remember Involve me, I’ll understand In this case, I think that the ice breaker will be very effective. With thanks to Doctor

I have a second interview for a position that I really want. I decided to print a PowerPoint presentation and bind it, but I am worried that I won’t stand out. I feel with such a small audience (about five people) I should keep the attention on me and not the PowerPoint slides. Any thoughts? – Babs You are quite right to print out your presentation. This will mean that you go straight in to making a memorable performance rather than fiddling with the projector. First impressions work and your first impression will be professional. If you want an edge, print the presentation on high-grade paper. It’s a small touch, but the difference between candidates is often decided on small things. With thanks to Doctor

I have a second interview on Friday where I have to give a presentation. The topic is “What I Can Bring to the Role”. I’ve got an idea of what I want to say, but I have no idea how I’m going to make it last 10 minutes! – Anon You would be amazed how quickly ten minutes can go. Once you have your structure right, start to time yourself speaking it out loud. You will soon see how much time you will need. I would suggest that you get some third-party validation about your strengths. This could come from job reviews, 360 degree feedback, references, customer letters, thank you emails, school reports, etc. With thanks to Doctor

I have to do a presentation for a Regional Training Manager’s position. I am on one side of the country and they are on the other; we will be doing the interview by video conference and I am unsure of how the visuals will be seen on video. – Skyelar

My experience is that visuals are really important by video conference. The real trick is to make the visuals large and simple. On video conferences the secret is preparation. Send printed copies of your slides several days in advance. You can also email the slides a day or two before. That way you don’t have to worry so much about what will display on the screen. With thanks to Doctor

I have an interview in which I have to present Art and Design teaching and learning materials. I can use a laptop, PowerPoint and projector if I wish. Do you have any suggestions that might be helpful? – Richard

I suggest that you look at three main topics for your presentation. Have you already worked in art and design? If you have then it may be useful to show some of your students’ work and maybe some feedback from your students. Third-party endorsement can be really useful. The most important thing is not to spend all of your time on your slides. It is the rehearsal that will make all of the difference. Read your script out loud at least four times, at least once in front of a real audience. If you can learn it word for word so much the better. With thanks to Doctor

I have to give a presentation for a prospective job opportunity. There are two questions I need to answer in this presentation: why I chose to apply for the job and why I am an ideal candidate. There are a lot of other candidates and I feel I need a hook that the panel will remember. – Guest

As much as possible, use real-life examples of why you are ideal, e.g. “At my last company I had this challenge, which I imagine you have too. The way I dealt with this was X, and the result was Y.” You are quoting experience, showing you understand their business, and sharing your knowledge… all good things. With thanks to David

I have an interview presentation on how I will bring the post forward in the first 6 months! The post is a complaints and communications officer. I haven’t really got any ideas on where to start with this. Any advice would be appreciated!!! – Tor One idea – Use the rule of three. Sketch out the three key things that you think they are looking for and find ways to illustrate these. Present past examples of how you have achieved these in other jobs. This will get the presentation back on to your strengths. If you can, use feedback from other people on your performance. With thanks to Doctor

I am going for a job as a trainer. Given the role, I want the audience to learn something from me. – Emma

I would suggest that you pick a topic that you are passionate about – ideally one related to work. A good example would be “my most successful project” or “my most successful training group”.

With thanks to Doctor

I have an interview presentation for a business sales position. I don’t have a clue where to start, what should it look like or what the content should be. – Ngighg

I would suggest that you simply present your best ever or proudest sale. Show the customer problem, and how you overcame the problem. The real challenge is to present feedback from the customer (like a reference letter) about what a great sales person you are. If possible, hand round the reference letter. The real key once you have everything together is to rehearse. With thanks to Doctor

I have a presentation on my leadership style for a position in my company. Any advice would be helpful. – Redcall

You could get feedback from your boss, colleagues or people who work for you. It is much more powerful to say, “My colleagues describe me as good at dealing with difficult situations,” than it is to say “I am a good manager.” If you can, give some examples of situations when you have demonstrated leadership. With thanks to Doctor

I have a second interview with a large advertising company and I have to present on why I am right for the role. I have never done a presentation before and do not know where to start. Could someone help me? – Sarah

My advice is to read the job application form and the company’s website and see what kind of qualities they are looking for. Usually in their company description or job description they will have words like dynamic, honest etc. Try and use these in your presentation and bring up your experience as well. With thanks to Giblets

My presentation has to be based on 3 successes and one failure. I’m going to concentrate on job-related issues. Does anyone have any tips on how to pitch this? Also, any views on what order I should do each item? – Guest

The best way to present a failure is to have failed because of one of your strengths (e.g. I was so determined to get the job done on time that we went over budget). Effectively talk about the failure more as a trade-off. Also, don’t use the failure as the last item. It should go in the middle. People will remember the first and the last items, but not the ones in the middle. With thanks to Doctor

I have to prepare a presentation on “What skills I will bring to the job”. I know what my skills are, I just don’t know how to start. – Josephine

The best approach would be to list the three best skills you have. Then try to find a way to illustrate these skills. Try to get some feedback from other colleagues about what these skills are. It always sounds much better if you say “other people say that my key skills are… ” rather than “my key skills are…” With thanks to Doctor

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December 2, 2021

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