17 GIS Manager Interview Questions and Answers

GIS managers are responsible for the development and maintenance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These systems use spatial data to help organizations make better decisions about where to build things, how to manage resources, and how to respond to emergencies.

If you’re looking to become a GIS manager, you’ll need to be able to answer some tough questions. Interviewers will want to know that you have the skills and knowledge to manage a GIS system. They’ll also want to know that you have the ability to think strategically and make good decisions.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of common GIS manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the GIS software used in this industry?

This question is a great way for employers to gauge your level of experience with the software they use. If you are interviewing at a company that uses ArcGIS, it’s likely that you will be using this program as well. It’s important to show that you have some familiarity with the GIS software used in the industry and how it can benefit the organization.

Example: “I am familiar with both Esri’s ArcGIS and QGIS. I find that ArcGIS is more user-friendly than QGIS, however, I do think there are benefits to using both programs. For example, I’ve found that QGIS has better tools for data management and analysis. In my previous role, we used both programs depending on what type of project we were working on.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful GIS manager?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities needed to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities for a GIS manager is communication. This role requires me to communicate with many different people, including my team members, clients and other stakeholders. I am always prepared to answer questions or provide additional information when necessary. Another quality I think is important is organization. As a GIS manager, I need to organize data and create maps and reports. Having strong organizational skills helps me complete these tasks efficiently.”

How would you describe the relationship between a GIS and a GPS?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the two systems and how they work together. Your answer should include an explanation of each system, their similarities and differences and how you use them in your daily job.

Example: “A GPS is a navigation device that uses satellites to determine its location. It’s similar to GIS because it also uses satellite imagery to create maps. However, while a GPS can only show you where you are, a GIS allows me to see more information about my surroundings, like traffic patterns or population density. I use both systems every day at work.”

What is your process for managing and prioritizing your work as a GIS manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and organize it. Your answer should show that you have a system for managing your workload, but also that you are flexible enough to adapt to changes in priorities as needed.

Example: “I use my calendar to manage my daily tasks and appointments. I try to schedule meetings with my team members at least once per week so we can discuss any issues or concerns they may have. I also like to meet with my supervisor every two weeks to review our progress on projects and make sure everyone is meeting their deadlines. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I am always aware of what needs to be done.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot a problem with a GIS system.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to a work environment. Use examples from past experiences where you had to use critical thinking, analytical reasoning or other problem-solving techniques to resolve issues with GIS systems.

Example: “In my last role as a GIS manager, I was working on a project that required me to create maps for several different areas of the city. One day, I noticed that some of the data points were missing in one area of the map. After looking at the system’s coding, I realized that there was an error in the way I entered the data. I fixed the issue by reentering the data correctly.”

If a company used a GIS system for several years, what might cause them to want to upgrade or replace it?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of GIS systems and how they might be used in a professional setting. Use examples from your own experience or research to explain why companies may want to upgrade their existing GIS system.

Example: “There are several reasons that a company may want to replace its current GIS system. For example, if the software is outdated or no longer supported by the developer, it may not have any updates or patches available for security issues. If this happens, the system could become vulnerable to cyberattacks. Another reason would be if the system doesn’t meet the needs of the organization anymore. For instance, if the company has grown significantly since implementing the GIS system, it may need an upgraded version.”

What would you do if you noticed a team member was consistently entering incorrect data into the GIS system?

This question can help the interviewer assess your leadership skills and ability to manage a team. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of accuracy in GIS systems, but also how to handle this situation with respect for your colleague.

Example: “I would first talk to my colleague about their mistake and ask them why they entered incorrect data into the system. I would try to be as understanding as possible, especially if it was an honest mistake. Then, I would make sure they understood the importance of entering accurate information into the system so we could use it to make better decisions. If they made another mistake after our conversation, I would take more serious action.”

How well do you think you would adapt to a company that uses a different GIS software than you’re used to?

This question is a great way to assess your flexibility as an employee. It’s important for employers to know that you can adapt to their systems and processes, even if they differ from what you’re used to. In your answer, explain how you would research the new software and learn it quickly. Show them that you are willing to put in the time and effort to make sure you understand the system well enough to do your job effectively.

Example: “I think I would adapt quite easily. I am very flexible when it comes to learning new things. If I were hired by this company, I would spend some time researching the GIS software they use so I could get familiar with it before starting my first day. I believe that adapting to different software is just part of being a professional.”

Do you have any experience working with location-based data?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with GIS. If you have previous experience working with location-based data, describe what projects you worked on and how they helped your organization. If you don’t have any experience working with location-based data, explain why you’re interested in learning more about it.

Example: “I’ve been using GIS for over five years now, so I’m familiar with many different types of location-based data. In my last role as a GIS analyst, I was responsible for collecting data from various sources to create maps that showed where certain facilities were located. This information was then used by other departments within the company to make decisions.”

When is it appropriate to use a GIS system to analyze location-based data?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of when to use GIS systems and how you apply that knowledge. Use examples from your experience to show the interviewer how you make decisions about using GIS systems in your work.

Example: “I would use a GIS system to analyze location-based data when I need to combine spatial analysis with other types of data, such as demographic or environmental information. This is because GIS systems are designed specifically for analyzing geographic data, so they’re more efficient than other software programs at performing this task. In my last role, I used a GIS system to create maps of areas where there were high rates of crime. Then, I overlaid those maps with data on population demographics to see if there was any correlation between crime rates and certain groups of people.”

We want to improve our customer service by analyzing customer service data by location. What is the most effective way to do this?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to use GIS technology. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for analyzing data by location.

Example: “The most effective way to analyze customer service data by location is through the creation of a heat map. This allows you to see where customers are having issues with your product or services, which can help you determine if there’s a need for more employees in those areas. You can also use this information to create targeted marketing campaigns that will reach these specific locations.”

Describe your experience with data visualization.

GIS managers need to be able to create effective data visualizations for their organization. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with the process and how you can apply it to their company. In your answer, explain what data visualization is and give an example of a project you completed in the past.

Example: “Data visualization is the process of creating maps that show information about a specific topic. I’ve used data visualization in my previous role as a GIS specialist to create maps that display demographic information or traffic patterns. For one project, I created a map that showed where people were most likely to get distracted while driving. This helped our team understand more about distracted driving and develop solutions.”

What makes a good location for a business or facility?

This question helps the interviewer assess your knowledge of GIS and how you apply it to business decisions. Use examples from your experience to explain what factors make a location good or bad for businesses, facilities or other organizations.

Example: “A good location is one that’s easily accessible by customers or clients. For example, if I were working with a client who wanted to open a new restaurant in an area without many restaurants nearby, I would use my GIS skills to find locations where there are already successful restaurants. This way, we can see which areas have high traffic counts and may be more likely to support another restaurant.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in as a GIS manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their industry. You can use this opportunity to highlight any unique skills you have that would be beneficial in their company.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with construction companies, but I also have experience working with retail businesses as well. In my last position, I helped a construction company create a GIS system for managing projects. This allowed them to track employee hours, equipment usage and other important metrics. It was an effective way to manage multiple projects at once while saving time and money.”

What do you think is the most important thing that a GIS manager can do to support the company’s overall goals?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how it fits into a company’s overall goals. You can use examples from previous experience or explain what you think would be most important for this particular organization.

Example: “I believe that GIS managers should always keep their team members in mind when making decisions about projects. I have seen many instances where a manager will make a decision without considering the impact on their employees, which can lead to low morale and high turnover. In my last position, I had to decide whether we should outsource our mapping services to save money. I decided against outsourcing because I knew that it would mean layoffs for some of my colleagues. Instead, I worked with upper management to find other ways to cut costs while keeping everyone employed.”

How often should a GIS system be updated?

GIS systems are constantly changing, and the interviewer may want to know how you would handle this aspect of your job. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of keeping up with changes in technology. You can also use this question as an opportunity to discuss any experience you have updating GIS software.

Example: “I think it’s important to update a GIS system regularly because new updates often include improvements to existing features or add new ones. I’ve worked at two different companies where we had regular updates for our GIS systems. At my current company, we do monthly updates, which is what I prefer. It allows us to implement new features quickly but still gives us time to test them before using them.”

There is a bug in the GIS system that is preventing employees from accessing certain features. What is your process for troubleshooting and resolving the issue?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a team. Your answer should include steps you would take to troubleshoot the issue, as well as how you would communicate with employees about the situation.

Example: “I would first determine if there are any updates available for the software. If not, I would contact my IT department to see if they have any suggestions or solutions. Once we’ve determined that it’s a bug in the system, I would immediately notify all employees of the issue so they know why certain features aren’t working. Then, I would create a timeline for when I expect the issue to be resolved.”