Program Manager Skills Interview
Author:
Allie SchlosserAllie Schlosser’ template will help you identify the best candidate for a Program Manager role in a cyclical program context which involves managing program participants and external stakeholders/partners. The template also covers the responsibility of hiring support staff to ensure the program runs efficiently. It covers a range of technical and human skills required to plan and execute successful and high-impact programs.
Focus area:
Question
1
Program planning involves many cascading pieces. Can you share with me how you would stay organized and efficient when planning a program and share any examples of how you've done this successfully in the past?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to efficiently manage complex programs
Explore tips
- Shares tools and technologies they use throughout the planning process
- Discusses strategies for time and task management using timelines and calendars
- Pre-prepares for and anticipates the planning phases
- Documents everything (e.g., emails, contracts, task completion, etc.)
- Displays foresight and anticipation for future phases
Question
2
Tell me about a time you collected feedback from multiple sources to improve a program you were responsible for. Did you incorporate the feedback and what was the outcome?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to seek out feedback and critically apply it to future contexts
Explore tips
- Shares specific example where they actively sought out feedback for improvement
- Seeks input from multiple perspectives (e.g. team, clients, stakeholders, etc.)
- Highlights importance of embedding opportunities for collecting feedback
- Displays an openness towards learning from and improving through the feedback
- Shares their evaluation and implementation of the feedback
Question
3
Imagine you're working with external partners to coordinate a program/event. What steps would you take to activate the needs of the partners? How would you work with them in a way that is productive for all parties?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to anticipate and accommodate client needs
Explore tips
- Acknowledges the importance of understanding client characteristics
- Suggests several methods for obtaining information on client needs
- Involves team for institutional knowledge on client needs and execution
- Considers engaging clients in the event planning process for their early input
- Balances requests with knowing it is not possible to please everyone
Question
4
Tell me about a time when you adjusted a program or event mid-way because you noticed the stakeholders would benefit from/prefer something different? How did you realize it needed to be adapted, and how did you adapt it?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to analyze client needs and apply learnings to adapt programs accordingly
Explore tips
- Explains how they identified a need to adapt a program
- Shares their method/approach for obtaining information on stakeholder needs
- Consults team/leaders/clients to validate needs and propose event changes
- Considers engaging clients in the event planning process for their early input
- Balances requests with knowing it is not possible to please everyone
Question
5
Imagine you join our company and we ask you to hire a team to support you as you plan and implement a new project/program. What would you be looking for, and what would your hiring strategy be?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to strategically source and hire a team
Explore tips
- Exhibits a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment and hiring process
- Suggests a structured and standardized process for outreach and hiring
- Considers what they would look for on both a team and individual level
- Embedded intention in their hiring process (e.g. no generalists: who do we need?)
- Identifies sourcing channels (e.g., networks, connections, advertisements)
Question
6
Talk me through the best experience you have had working with a team to plan and manage an event or program. Can you describe why it was such a positive experience?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to collaborate and execute work effectively with others
Explore tips
- References the importance of communication, trust, and feedback between members
- Establishes alignment with program/event goals early on and revists consistently
- Highlights importance of team check-ins to support and ensure progress
- Conducts retrospective meetings to discuss what worked and did not work
- Explains how teamwork impacts the business goals of the organization
Question
7
Communicating with your clients and stakeholders is really important to planning and implementing effective programming. What are some general communication tactics you would use to ensure success in this role?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to communicate effectively to ensure success in their role
Explore tips
- Anticipates needs/questions that could be asked and addresses them preemptively
- Over Communicates and follows up to ensure expectations are understood/documented
- Understands the nuances of collaborating with junior versus senior stakeholders
Question
8
What have you done in the past to tailor your communication approach to different audiences? For example, junior versus senior stakeholders?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to communicate effectively to ensure success in their role
Explore tips
- Understands the nuances of tailoring messages to different audiences
- Senior stakeholders need higher level information delivered strategically
- Junior stakeholders engage with details and can help advocate for decision-making
- Shares specific examples of how they've tailored communications effectively
Question
9
Describe a time your initiative was particularly effective in helping a project/program succeed. What behaviors did you engage in, and how did they contribute to the project/program's success?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to use initiative to drive impact
Explore tips
- Identified resources to support the project's success
- Sought professional/operational improvements where appropriate
- Took a forward-thinking approach to spot opportunities and take action
- Went above and beyond what was expected of them
- Describes how their actions made an impact on the business
Question
10
Give me an example of how you built and maintained a business relationship with a stakeholder in one of your previous roles. Why did you choose to develop a relationship with that person, and how did you go about doing so?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders
Explore tips
- Shares a specific example of a successful relationship with a stakeholder
- Sought opportunities to interact with and support them
- Anticipated their needs and displayed initiative in addressing any issues
- Recognizes the benefit of building relationships and communication networks
- Recognizes that relationship maintenance is an ongoing activity
Question
11
What are some sourcing techniques that you would implement when looking for external clients, partners or stakeholders to involve within your programming/projects?
What does this question reveal?
Candidate has the ability to effectively source and engage with potential clients
Explore tips
- Exhibits a comprehensive understanding of sourcing (methods, tools, etc.)
- Suggests conducting data pulls and active outreach for lead generation
- Discusses multiple ways to approach and engage potential stakeholders
- Describes a structured process for potential stakeholders to go through
