17 Project Control Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

Project control specialists are responsible for ensuring that a project stays on track, within budget, and on schedule. They work with the project team to develop a project plan and track progress against the plan. They also work with the customer and other stakeholders to manage expectations.

If you’re looking for a job as a project control specialist, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some common project control specialist interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the PMBOK Guide?

The PMBOK Guide is a publication that provides information about project management. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with the guide and how it can help you in your role as a project control specialist. In your answer, let the interviewer know that you are familiar with the PMBOK Guide and what it offers. Explain how using the guide has helped you be successful in your previous roles.

Example: “I am very familiar with the PMBOK Guide. I used it throughout my education at the university level and continue to use it today when working on projects. The guide helps me understand the different processes of project management and how they relate to one another. This knowledge allows me to better plan out my work and make sure I’m following best practices.”

What are the most important qualities for a project control specialist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Your answer should include a list of qualities that are important for project control specialists, such as attention to detail, communication skills, problem-solving skills and leadership skills.

Example: “The most important quality for a project control specialist is attention to detail because it’s essential to ensure all aspects of a project are accounted for. Another important quality is strong communication skills because I need to be able to clearly explain any issues or concerns to my team members and managers. Finally, I think it’s important to have strong problem-solving skills so we can find solutions to challenges that arise during projects.”

How would you handle a situation where the project budget was overspent?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges in your work. Your answer should show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from mistakes.

Example: “I would first look at all of the project’s expenses, including labor costs, equipment rental fees and other expenditures. I would then compare these numbers with the original budget to see where we went over. If there were any unexpected expenses, such as a contractor who was late on their delivery or an employee who took longer than expected to complete their tasks, I would speak with them about it.

If the problem was due to mismanagement, I would discuss this with my supervisor so they could address the issue with the appropriate team members. In either case, I would make sure to document everything so that we could avoid making similar mistakes in the future.”

What is your process for keeping track of project timelines?

Project control specialists need to be organized and able to keep track of multiple projects at once. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have a system for organizing your work and keeping it on schedule.

Example: “I use project management software to create timelines for each project I’m working on. I start by creating a general timeline with all of the major milestones, then break down each milestone into smaller tasks. This allows me to see how much time is needed for each task and when I’ll need to complete them. It also helps me identify any potential issues or delays before they become an issue.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult project stakeholder.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from your past experience that highlight your ability to work with challenging people and still achieve project goals.

Example: “In my last role, I worked on a large construction project where the client was very demanding. They would often change their minds or request additional information without providing enough notice for me to adjust our schedule. However, I always remained professional when communicating with them and explained why we couldn’t accommodate all of their requests. Eventually, they understood that I had limitations but were willing to compromise. As a result, we found a balance that allowed us to complete the project while maintaining quality.”

If hired, what would be your approach to working with a diverse team of project stakeholders?

Project control specialists often work with a variety of stakeholders, including clients and other project managers. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary for working in a team setting. In your answer, explain how you would approach collaborating with people from different backgrounds and opinions. Try to highlight your communication and collaboration skills while also mentioning any specific strategies you might use to help manage stakeholders effectively.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to collaborate with all types of stakeholders on projects. I try to be as open-minded as possible when meeting new people so that I can learn about their perspectives and ideas. I find that by listening carefully to others’ concerns and questions, I can better understand what they need from me.

In my last role, I worked with a diverse group of stakeholders who had varying opinions about the best way to complete a project. To address these differences, I developed a stakeholder management plan that outlined the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. This helped everyone feel more confident in their own tasks and provided clear expectations for the entire project.”

What would you do if you noticed inconsistencies in a project’s progress reports?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle errors and challenges in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you are a problem solver who is willing to take initiative when necessary.

Example: “I would first try to find out why there were inconsistencies in the reports. If I noticed that some of the information was missing, I would contact my team members to see if they had any additional data or information. If I found that the information was correct but it didn’t match up with other projects, I would ask for an explanation from the project manager. This way, I can ensure that all projects have accurate progress reports and avoid any issues later on.”

How well do you handle stress while working on complex projects?

Project control specialists often work on complex projects that require them to manage multiple tasks at once. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle stress while working in their company. In your answer, share a time when you worked on a project with many moving parts and how you managed it successfully.

Example: “I find that I can handle stress quite well as long as I stay organized. When I’m stressed out about a deadline or task, I take a few minutes to organize my thoughts and create a plan of action. This helps me feel more confident about what needs to be done and how I will do it. It also allows me to prioritize my tasks so I can get the most important ones completed first.”

Do you have any questions for us about the project control specialist position?

This question gives you the opportunity to show your interest in the job and learn more about it. Interviewers often ask this question near the end of an interview as a way to wrap up the conversation. When preparing for this question, think of questions that will help you understand what the job is like and how you can succeed in it.

Example: “I am very interested in this position because I have experience working with project management software. However, I would like to know if there are any opportunities for advancement within this role. I am looking for a career change where I can continue using my skills and knowledge to support projects.”

When working with a team, what is your preferred method of communication?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with others and your preferred methods of communication. Your answer should include a specific example of when you used this method to communicate with your team members, including the benefits of using that method over other forms of communication.

Example: “I prefer to use project management software for communicating with my team because it allows me to share important documents and information quickly and efficiently. In my last role, I was working on a large construction project where we had multiple teams working together. Using our company’s project management software allowed me to send messages to all of the different teams at once so everyone could see what I was sharing. This helped us stay organized and ensured everyone knew what their tasks were.”

We want to improve our project management processes. If you were hired, what processes would you implement?

This question allows you to show your knowledge of project management and how you would apply it in the role. You can answer this question by describing a process that you have implemented or improved in the past, or you can describe a new process you would create if you haven’t done so before.

Example: “I would implement a risk register where we document all risks and their potential outcomes. This will allow us to identify risks early on and develop mitigation strategies for them. I would also implement a change control board meeting once per week to discuss any changes to the project and determine whether they are necessary.”

Describe your experience with project management software.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with project management software and how you use it. Use your answer to describe the type of software you’ve used in the past, what you like about it and why you prefer that software over others.

Example: “I have extensive experience using Microsoft Project for my projects at my current company. I find that Microsoft Project is a great tool for managing large projects because it allows me to create different tasks, organize them by team member and track their progress. It also has an integrated calendar function that helps me stay on schedule and meet deadlines. In addition, I can share important documents and information with other team members through Microsoft Project.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Try to focus on what makes you unique rather than listing all of your skills.

Example: “I have five years of experience as a project control specialist, which has given me valuable insight into the best ways to manage projects. I also have extensive knowledge of Microsoft Project software, which is one of the most common programs used in project management. In my last position, I developed a training program for new employees so they could learn how to use the software effectively.”

Which project management methodology do you prefer?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with different project management methodologies. It can also show how you might approach a project control specialist role, as it requires you to use multiple methodologies and integrate them into one cohesive plan. When answering this question, consider which methodology you are most comfortable using and why.

Example: “I prefer Agile because I find that it allows me to work more closely with my team members. In my last position, we used Scrum for our Agile implementation, so I was able to collaborate with other specialists on projects and provide input when needed. This helped us create better solutions for clients by involving everyone in the process.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a project control specialist’s job?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what’s important about this role. Your answer should include a brief explanation of why you think it’s so important and how you would apply your skills to ensure its success.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of my job as a project control specialist is communication. I feel that if everyone on the team knows what’s going on, they can make better decisions and work more efficiently. To achieve this, I use tools like Slack and Trello to keep everyone informed about changes in schedule or budget. This helps me build relationships with other members of the team and ensures that we all have access to the information we need to do our jobs well.”

How often do you recommend updating project plans?

This question can help interviewers understand your approach to project control and how you use information to make decisions. Use examples from past projects where you updated plans regularly or infrequently, depending on the needs of the project.

Example: “I recommend updating project plans at least once a month, but sometimes more often if there are changes in resources, budgeting or other factors that could affect the overall success of the project. In my last role, I worked with a team of five people who were all working on different aspects of a large construction project. We met every week to discuss our progress and any issues we encountered so we could adjust our plans as needed.”

There is a conflict between two team members. How would you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle interpersonal conflicts and whether you have experience resolving them. Use examples from your past to show that you are able to resolve conflict in a professional manner.

Example: “In my last role, there was a disagreement between two team members about who should be responsible for updating the project schedule. One of the team members wanted to update the schedule every week while the other preferred to do it monthly. I met with both individuals separately to discuss their concerns and find out why they had different preferences. After learning more about each person’s background, I realized that one individual was used to updating the schedule weekly while working on another project. I decided to compromise by allowing them to update the schedule once per month.”