17 Project Management Intern Interview Questions and Answers

Project management is one of the most important and in-demand roles in business. A project manager is responsible for ensuring that a project is completed on time, within budget, and to the client’s specifications.

If you’re looking for a project management internship, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some project management interview questions and answers that you may be asked.

Are you familiar with the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)?

The PMI is an organization that provides standards and guidelines for project managers. The PMBOK is a document that outlines the knowledge, skills and abilities required to be successful in project management. An interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the PMI or its standards. In your answer, try to show that you understand what the PMI does and why it’s important. If you don’t have any experience with the PMI, you can still talk about other organizations that provide similar standards and guidelines for project managers.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the PMI and its standards. I took a course on project management last semester where we discussed the PMI and its standards. I also worked as a project manager at my internship last summer, so I was able to apply many of the standards outlined in the PMBOK.”

What are the key components of a strong project plan?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you know how to create a project plan. Your answer should include all of the key components of a strong project plan, such as goals and objectives, tasks, timelines and resources.

Example: “A strong project plan includes clear goals and objectives, specific tasks, realistic timelines and sufficient resources. I also believe it’s important to have regular communication with team members throughout the duration of the project so everyone stays informed about what’s happening. Finally, I think it’s essential to regularly evaluate the progress of the project to make sure we’re on track.”

How would you manage a project that is behind schedule and over budget?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my previous internship, I worked on a project that was behind schedule and over budget. The company’s leadership team decided to cancel the project because of these issues. However, I convinced them to give me one more week to see if we could salvage it. I met with all stakeholders and determined what tasks were causing delays. Then, I created a plan for each person to complete their task by the deadline. We managed to finish the project before the deadline, which helped the company save money.”

What is your process for identifying and prioritizing project risks?

As an intern, you may be responsible for identifying and prioritizing risks on a project. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the experience necessary to complete this task effectively. In your answer, explain how you would approach this responsibility as an intern.

Example: “I would first assess all of the possible risks involved in the project. Then I would evaluate each risk based on its probability and impact. If there are any risks that could cause significant problems, I would work with my team to develop mitigation strategies. For example, if we were working on a construction project, I might suggest hiring additional workers or equipment to help mitigate delays.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a difficult client or customer.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to focus on the positive outcome of the situation and highlight any specific communication or conflict resolution skills that helped you manage the client or customer successfully.

Example: “In my last internship, I worked with a client who was very demanding and often changed his mind about project details. This made it difficult for me to create accurate timelines and estimates for him. However, I used my active listening skills to understand what he wanted from our projects and found ways to accommodate his requests while still meeting deadlines. Eventually, he became much more organized and predictable, which allowed us to work together more effectively.”

If you were given a project with a tight budget and a short timeline, how would you approach it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize projects and manage your time. Use examples from previous experience to show the interviewer that you know how to work with a limited budget and timeline.

Example: “In my last internship, I was given a project with a tight budget and short timeline. At first, I was worried about how I would be able to complete it in time, but then I realized that I could use existing resources more efficiently. For example, instead of hiring new employees, I asked other departments if they had any extra staff members who could help me out. This helped me save money while still completing the project on time.”

What would you do if a team member was consistently late submitting their work?

Employers ask this question to see how you handle interpersonal conflicts. They want to know that you can resolve issues with your team members without involving the supervisor or manager. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to address the issue and encourage your teammate to submit their work on time.

Example: “If a team member was consistently late submitting their work, I would first speak with them about it in private. I would let them know that I understand they may have challenges getting their work done on time but that it is important for everyone to meet deadlines. If they continued to be late, I would involve my supervisor so they could help me find a solution.”

How well do you communicate in written form?

Project managers often need to communicate with their team members and clients. Employers ask this question to make sure you can write clearly and concisely. Use your answer to show that you have strong communication skills. Explain how you use them in your daily life, such as by writing emails or making presentations.

Example: “I am very comfortable communicating in written form. I’ve been doing it for years now, both at school and work. In my current internship, I regularly send weekly updates to my supervisor about the progress of our projects. I also take notes during client meetings so I can refer back to them later. These skills are important because they help me stay organized and ensure everyone is on the same page.”

Do you have any experience using project management software?

This question can help the interviewer learn about your experience with using software to manage projects. If you have used project management software in a previous role, share what type of software it was and how you used it. If you haven’t had any experience using project management software, you can talk about other ways you’ve organized projects or tasks before.

Example: “I’ve never used specific project management software, but I do use Microsoft Project for my classes. In my last internship, I worked on organizing tasks by color-coding them into different categories. For example, red tasks were urgent, yellow tasks were important and blue tasks were less important.”

When was a time you learned something new on the job and how did it impact your performance?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your ability to learn new things and adapt to different situations. Use examples from previous jobs that highlight your willingness to take on challenges, ask questions and seek out additional information when you need it.

Example: “When I first started working as an intern for my current company, I was tasked with creating a project timeline for one of our clients. At first, I thought this would be easy because I had already created timelines before, but after looking at the client’s requirements, I realized there were some differences in how I needed to create this timeline compared to others I’d worked on previously. I asked my supervisor for advice and she helped me understand what changes I needed to make to ensure I met all of the client’s needs.”

We want to attract top talent to our company. What is your strategy for attracting top talent to a project?

This question is a great way to see how you would attract talent to your company. It also shows that the interviewer wants to know what you can do for them and their company. When answering this question, think about what attracted you to this internship. Consider mentioning some of the things that made you want to apply in the first place.

Example: “I am passionate about helping companies find top talent. I believe that attracting top talent starts with having an open-door policy. If someone has a problem or concern, they should feel comfortable coming to their manager or other leaders to discuss it. Another thing I think attracts top talent is transparency. People want to know where they stand at all times. They want to know what’s expected of them and when they will be evaluated.”

Describe your experience working in a team environment.

Teamwork is an essential skill for project managers. Employers ask this question to learn more about your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. In your answer, describe a time you worked in a team setting and what role you played. Explain how the experience helped you develop your teamwork skills.

Example: “In my previous internship, I was part of a small team that worked together to complete our projects on time. We each had different roles within the group, but we all shared responsibility for completing tasks. For example, one person would research a topic while another created a presentation based on their findings. My role was to create visuals for the presentation using PowerPoint.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this project management internship?

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 all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this internship. Focus on highlighting your soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, along with any hard skills, like computer programming or data analysis.

Example: “I am passionate about project management because I enjoy helping others achieve success. Throughout my studies, I have learned many techniques for managing projects effectively, including setting realistic goals and creating action plans. I also understand the importance of time management and budgeting when working on projects. These skills make me an ideal candidate for this internship because I know I can help your team succeed.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question is a great way to see if you have the experience needed for this role. It also allows you to show your interviewer that you are aware of what industries they work in and how it relates to your own experience. When answering, make sure to mention industries that relate to the company’s industry.

Example: “I have the most experience working in the construction industry. I worked as an intern at a construction company where I learned about all aspects of the business. I was able to apply my knowledge from school to real-world projects and gained valuable experience. I am excited to learn more about other industries and use my skills to help them succeed.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a project manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities that are most important for their company. It is important to answer this question honestly, but also try to show how your skill set matches what they’re looking for in a project manager.

Example: “I think communication is the most important skill for a project manager to have. As a project manager, I would be responsible for communicating with many different people on my team as well as with clients or customers. If I’m not able to communicate effectively, it could lead to misunderstandings or missed deadlines. I’ve always been good at communicating, both verbally and in writing, which has helped me succeed in previous roles.”

How often have you completed a project from start to finish?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you’ve progressed in your career. Your answer should include a specific project, its goals and what you learned from it.

Example: “In my last internship, I was tasked with creating a marketing plan for our company’s new product launch. My team and I researched our target audience and created a social media campaign to promote the product. We also developed an email marketing strategy that included discounts and coupons to encourage sales. The project took us two months to complete, but we were able to successfully increase sales by 20% during the first month of the product launch.”

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

As an intern, you may be responsible for managing conflicts between team members. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience to handle these situations effectively. In your answer, explain how you would approach this conflict. Share a specific example of when you handled a similar situation in the past.

Example: “I would first try to understand both sides of the issue. I would then speak with each person individually about their concerns. After that, I would meet with them together to discuss solutions. If they are still unable to come to an agreement, I would involve my supervisor or manager.”