17 Deputy Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers

As a deputy project manager, you’re responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required specifications. You’ll also be responsible for developing project plans, monitoring progress, and providing status reports to the project manager.

To land a job as a deputy project manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your organizational skills, ability to work under pressure, and knowledge of project management principles. One way to do this is to prepare for your job interview by knowing how to answer common deputy project manager interview questions.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with some sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your job interview.

Are you comfortable working with a team of project managers and other professionals?

As a deputy project manager, you may need to work with other professionals in your organization. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable collaborating with others and can be a team player. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working with others and are willing to collaborate with your team members. Explain that you value teamwork and collaboration when completing projects.

Example: “I have worked on teams before as a deputy project manager, so I am very comfortable collaborating with my colleagues. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of my team members and discuss different approaches to solving problems. I think having multiple perspectives is beneficial for the success of any project. I also like to help my fellow team members by sharing my own knowledge and experience.”

What are some of the most important skills you think a deputy project manager should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills they’re looking for in a deputy project manager. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills listed in the job description and how those skills helped you succeed as a deputy project manager.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills a deputy project manager should have is communication. As a deputy project manager, I was responsible for communicating with my team members about their assignments and any changes that needed to be made. Another skill I think is important is organization. Being organized allowed me to stay on top of all of my responsibilities and ensure that I met deadlines.”

How would you describe your management style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would approach your role as a deputy project manager. Your management style is unique to you, and it’s important that you’re comfortable with the way you lead others. When answering this question, try to describe your management style in detail so the interviewer can get an idea of what your leadership might look like if they hire you.

Example: “I believe my management style is collaborative. I enjoy working alongside team members to find solutions to problems or challenges we face on projects. I also think I have strong communication skills, which helps me work well with my team. I’m always willing to listen to other people’s ideas and opinions when discussing a problem or finding a solution.”

What is your experience with managing large projects?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with managing projects that are more complex than those you may have worked on in the past. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight how you managed large teams and met project deadlines.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing a team of five people who were working on a three-month project. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any challenges we faced. During these meetings, I helped my team members find solutions to their problems by asking questions and providing feedback. This process helped me learn what strategies worked best for each member of my team so I could provide them with constructive criticism when needed.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult or challenging member of your team.

As a deputy project manager, you may be responsible for managing the team and ensuring that everyone is working together. An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you handle conflict or disagreements among your team members. In your answer, try to show that you can resolve conflicts in a productive way while also maintaining respect with your team members.

Example: “In my last role as deputy project manager, I had a team member who was consistently late to meetings and sometimes missed them entirely. This made it difficult for us to stay on track during our weekly meetings because we would have to wait for him to arrive before we could start. I spoke with him privately about his behavior and explained that it was affecting the productivity of the team. He apologized and committed to arriving to all future meetings on time.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

This question helps employers understand how you plan to make an immediate impact in your new role. Prioritizing tasks and setting goals for the first few weeks of a job can help you get acclimated to your new work environment and establish relationships with your team members. When answering this question, think about what you would do if you were hired and describe your ideal first week on the job.

Example: “During my first week as deputy project manager, I would want to meet with each member of the team to learn more about their roles and responsibilities. I would also like to review all current projects to see where improvements could be made. After these initial meetings and reviews, I would create a timeline for when I expect to complete certain tasks.”

What would you do if you noticed that two of your project managers were not communicating well?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a conflict between your team members. Your answer should show that you are willing to step in and resolve any issues among your team members.

Example: “I have worked with two project managers before, and I noticed they were not communicating well. At first, I tried to encourage them to communicate more by asking questions about their progress. However, this did not work, so I scheduled a meeting with both of them to discuss the issue. During our meeting, I learned that one of the project managers was feeling overwhelmed because he had too many tasks to complete. I decided to reassign some of his tasks to other team members so he could focus on what he does best.”

How well do you understand our company’s mission and values?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the company’s mission and values. This is an important part of being a deputy project manager because you will be responsible for ensuring that all projects align with the company’s goals. In your answer, try to show how much you know about the company’s objectives and how they relate to your own career goals.

Example: “I have been following your company for quite some time now, so I am very familiar with its mission and values. Your company aims to provide innovative solutions to clients by using the latest technology. As a deputy project manager, it is my job to make sure that our team members are working on projects that support these goals. For example, if we were asked to create a new app, I would ensure that our team was able to do so in a timely manner.”

Do you have any experience using project management software?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience with technology and how you use it to complete projects. If you have used project management software in a previous role, share what type of software you used and explain how you benefited from using it. If you haven’t worked with project management software before, you can still answer this question by describing how you organize your work without using software.

Example: “In my last position as deputy project manager, I helped lead our team through several large-scale projects that required us to use project management software. I found that using this software was helpful for organizing tasks and communicating with other members of the team. It also allowed me to see all of the different aspects of each project at once so I could make adjustments when needed.”

When is it appropriate to escalate a project issue to upper management?

As a deputy project manager, you may need to communicate with upper management about issues that arise on projects. Employers ask this question to make sure you know when it’s appropriate to do so and how to approach these conversations. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to prepare for and have this type of conversation.

Example: “I think it’s important to first try to resolve an issue with my team before escalating it to upper management. I would first meet with my team members individually to discuss the problem and see if we can come up with a solution together. If not, then I would bring all of my team members together to talk through the issue as a group. If after those two meetings we still haven’t resolved the issue, then I would schedule a meeting with our supervisor or another member of upper management to discuss the issue.”

We want to improve our customer satisfaction rates. If you were hired, how would you go about doing that?

Deputy project managers are responsible for ensuring that their projects meet the client’s expectations. This question helps employers understand how you would help a company improve its customer satisfaction rates and overall performance. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure customers were happy with the final product.

Example: “I believe one of the best ways to increase customer satisfaction is by making sure they’re involved in the process from the beginning. I would hold weekly meetings with clients to discuss progress on the project and make sure they’re satisfied with our work. Another way I would improve customer satisfaction is by creating an open line of communication between my team and the client. If there are any issues or concerns, we should be able to talk about them openly.”

Describe your process for giving feedback to your team members.

As a deputy project manager, you may need to provide feedback to your team members. Employers ask this question to learn more about how you give constructive criticism and encourage your team members to improve their performance. In your answer, explain that you try to be as positive as possible when giving feedback. Explain that you focus on the person’s strengths and what they can do to improve rather than focusing on their weaknesses.

Example: “I find it important to always start my feedback with something positive. I want to make sure that the person knows that I am not just there to criticize them but also to help them grow as an employee. After starting with something positive, I will move into discussing areas for improvement. For example, if someone is having trouble meeting deadlines, I would first discuss why I think they are having trouble and then offer suggestions for how they can meet those deadlines in the future.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for the deputy project manager position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this role. Use examples from your experience as a deputy project manager or other leadership roles to highlight your skills and abilities.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because of my ability to work with others, problem-solve and communicate effectively. I have been a deputy project manager for three years at my current company, where I manage a team of five people. In this role, I regularly collaborate with my team members to solve problems and delegate tasks based on each person’s strengths. I also use effective communication techniques to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their company. When answering this question, you can list industries that are similar to the one in which the hiring manager works. This can show them that you have relevant experience for the role.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily in construction and engineering projects. I also have some experience working with small businesses on marketing campaigns and creating websites. These experiences helped me develop my skills as a deputy project manager, so I’m excited to apply them to your team.”

What do you think is the most important thing a project manager should do to keep a project on track?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage projects and what your priorities are. Your answer should show that you know how to keep a project on track, but it can also be an opportunity for you to share some of your personal leadership style with the interviewer.

Example: “I think one of the most important things a project manager can do is communicate effectively with their team members. If I don’t have regular meetings or check-ins with my team members, then they may not feel comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns. This could lead to miscommunication and mistakes in the project, so I make sure to hold regular meetings with my team members to ensure everyone feels included.”

How often do you update your project plans?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your project management style. Your answer can show the interviewer how often you meet deadlines and communicate with team members. To answer, think of a time when you updated your plans on a regular basis.

Example: “I update my project plans every week or two. I find that updating them regularly helps me stay organized and ensure I’m meeting all of the client’s needs. In my last role, I would update my plans once per week. This helped me keep track of important tasks and ensured I was communicating with my team effectively.”

There is a risk that one of the project’s requirements will change. How will you adjust your plans to account for this?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Your answer should demonstrate that you can make adjustments quickly and efficiently, while still maintaining the quality of your work.

Example: “If a requirement changes during the project, I will first evaluate how it affects the entire scope of the project. If the change is minor, then I will adjust my plans accordingly. However, if the change is major, then I will need to reevaluate the entire project plan. This process usually involves communicating with all stakeholders to determine what they want from the project and whether there are any alternatives to the original requirements.”