1. Explain me your experience with IT projects?
Simply describe your experience in detail. For instance, how you've directed and monitored the requirements and progress of short term IT projects with limited personnel. You can also elaborate on how you've ensured that products and services answered your client's specifications within the allocated resources and framework.
2. Tell us what is involved in planning a project?
A coordinator typically produces feasibility studies for project ideas. He then plans project progress: sub targets and tasks, goals, milestones, etc. Personnel planning means distributing responsibilities between the assigned employees in the most effective way.
3. Tell me what are the three main purposes of a project coordinator position?
The position mainly exists to serve as a liaison among client and service providers, to develop the client's idea on a fixed budget and to support the clients and organization throughout the project planning till operational implementation
Definitely, I am available to work whenever the project requires me to
5. Explain me about a fairly challenging project you managed?
During the first year of my career, I was assigned a conference coordination involving 50 local delegates. Just a week before the big day, number of delegates was doubled and international speakers and facilitators were included in the guest list. The budget was raised but due to pressing time it was very challenging to arrange travel and stay including visa clearances of international partners. However I managed it and the conference went exactly the way client wanted
6. Explain me how do you approach a newly assigned project?
This allows the interviewer to see your approach to project management and to gauge your organizational skills.
"First, I would specify the objective of the project and the end result we are hoping for. Second, research is conducted to better understand how to reach that end result. Next, a list is made to lay out the steps required among the team. Lastly, based on that list I will delegate out tasks dependent upon the skill set of each team member. In order to achieve maximum results and bring the project to completion, it requires using the strengths of your team to your advantage."
7. Tell us how would you describe yourself as a team player?
I would consider myself one of the visionaries of a team. I am not only able to monitor the progress of a project, I also notice the skills and abilities of my teammates. I use this knowledge to encourage and assist my teammates and motivate them when need be. This helps to ensure the proper completion of the project.
8. Can you explain me why did you leave your last job?
Give a positive answer no matter what happened at your last job. Don't mention that there are issues with management or their products as this is only your opinion. Don't spend a lot of time on this question as you may give the interviewer reason to doubt your story.
Don't supply multiple reasons for leaving; just keep it to one simple reason. If you are still working, it's okay, just tell them. But if she asks why you did leave the job before this one and so on, then see the answer below.
9. Tell me what are the personal strengths that aid you as a project coordinator?
Remarkable interpersonal skills, ability to negotiate and working out conflict resolution in a win-win manner are three positives that have always supported me in this role
10. Tell us what is the purpose of reviewing project proposals?
The purpose of reviewing project proposals is to determine time frames and limitations and figuring out project procedures and staffing requirements. It is important to review project proposals because this activity provides us with information on how to handle resources for each stage of a project to ensure that deadlines are met properly.
11. Tell us why didn't you finish college?
No need to worry here if you did not complete your college work. Many people don't finish and for a variety of reasons. Timing could be an issue for them, but they plan to revisit college in the future.
If you are applying for an entry level job that requires a college degree, then you may have to demonstrate why you are still the best person for the job and demonstrate why your skills are just as good if not better than a college graduate.
12. Can you tell me about your process for handling conflict?
There are two sides to every story, so in handling conflict I try to understand both sides of the issue. I weigh all of the facts and consider the effects of possible resolutions. I then implement the resolution that I believe will be best received. I share the plan with all parties involved, including proper means for its implementation. I then monitor the implementation to ensure its effectiveness.
13. Tell us what was your favorite job and why did you like it?
If at all possible, tell the interviewer of a job that is similar to the one for which you are applying. Don't tell the interviewer that you liked your last job because you could wear jeans everyday and you're applying at company that has a formal dress code.
“My last job offered me the professional and creative freedom to perform my job in the best way that I saw fit. This freedom was not just handed down to me; I had to earn it by proving to my manager that I really understood our business and company goals.”
14. Operational and Situational Program Coordinator Job Interview Questions:
☛ Imagine you have to schedule and plan a conference from start to finish. What things would you consider and what steps would you follow?
☛ What would you do if an internal client were bothering you with insignificant questions while you had an important task to finish?
15. Behavioral Program Coordinator Job Interview Questions:
☛ This role involves managing multiple objectives simultaneously. How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks?
☛ Recall a time you made a significant contribution to a program
☛ Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a co-worker. How did you handle it?
☛ Describe a time you perceived there was a lag in the execution of a program task. What did you do to fix it?
16. Role-specific Program Coordinator Job Interview Questions:
☛ How has your background prepared you for this role?
☛ How do you think you can contribute to this position?
☛ What's your experience with budgeting/bookkeeping?
☛ What kind of technology tools/software should a program coordinator be familiar with? How proficient are you in using them?
☛ Do you have experience in dealing with diversity? How do you increase diversity awareness?
☛ What's your experience with fundraising?
☛ Rate your skills in creating proposals/presentations on a scale of 1 to 10
17. Top 10 Program Coordinator Job Interview Questions:
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. What are your biggest strengths?
3. Why did you leave your last job?
4. What are your career goals for after school program coordinator?
5. Why do you want to work here?
6. What are your greatest weaknesses for after school program coordinator?
7. What do you know about our organization?
8. What kind of salary are you looking for after school program coordinator?
9. Why should we hire you?
10. Do you have any questions?
18. Tell me in a project coordinator's role, how do you handle the uncertainty?
It is important to apply quick and creative thinking when dealing with uncertainties in a project. Team members may not get along and funding may stop – it is up to us to ensure the efficacy of a project by employing tolerance, tact and flexibility.
19. Tell me an example of a project that didn't work out well?
Make sure you don't place blame on you or your co-workers because it will just be your opinion and that's not what the interviewer is looking for. Your answer has no bearing on whether you will get the job or not. Think of a failure that happened early on in your career and discuss how you have bettered yourself since.
Describe a project you worked on and what the expected outcome was. Then explain what really happened and that you learned from that experience. This takes what is expected to be a negative answer and turns it around into a positive one.
20. Tell me when a project didn't go well, what happened?
This may sound like a trick question, but be honest with your answer. However, be sure to avoid bad mouthing others or admitting to something that is a fundamental basic of project management. Also, focus more on how you fixed the situation versus what went wrong.
"In my previous role, I managed a team with a new employee. My team and I made the mistake of assuming the new employee would know how to seamlessly work around our existing process. After some time, I realized he was slightly confused. I called the team together in order to explain how we work and his specific role on this project. Also, I described how I envisioned each aspect coming together to form a cohesive and successful outcome."
21. Explain one thing you would like to change about yourself?
Sometimes, I feel I am too much of a perfectionist. I am not pleased by things, themes, and arrangements easily and this trait burdens me at times more than the project would if my standards of work were in the same plane with the client's expectations which are almost always less than what I expect of the project
22. Tell me one skill that you think is the most important for a project coordinator role?
Even if you think there is no one single skill that is the most important, name just one.
The interviewer simply wants to see how you think and express yourself. So be short and to the point. An example of one important skill for a project coordinator is multi-tasking, being able to juggle many tasks simultaneously. Or you can talk about teamwork since a coordinator must be able to cooperate with many teams at once and ensure coordinated action between them.
23. Tell us what are some of the typical working conditions that a project coordinator works in?
Project coordination is complex work. There are deadlines to meet and many people to liaise with during any given work day. Typically, a work day is characterized by both uncertainty and an element of surprise.
24. Explain me your management skills in relation to the position?
Through my previous positions I have cultivated strong project and personnel management skills. I have managed myself and various teams in the completion of various projects and marketing campaigns. I understand the importance of organization, proper administration and teamwork to the success of any project, and those are things that I strive to implement in each project I lead. I also have received training in and have strong experience with negotiations and issue resolution, and I utilize this knowledge, as well as my other skills, to be an effective manager.
25. Outline the main steps involved in planning a project?
Project management has three main phases. The preliminary phase involves understanding the project requirements after meeting with the clients and setting a budget. The second phase is that of planning and time line development and the final phase involves implementation of the plan
26. Why do you want to leave your job as Program Coordinator?
Avoid making negative remarks about your past or present manager, your fellow employees, or the company you are working for – even if they are true!
Don't even hint at the fact that you hated your manger and avoid sarcastic remarks. Remember, the interviewer does not know your previous manager or fellow employees.
27. Tell us what is one skill a project manager needs to succeed?
Interviewers love asking this because it forces you to choose one among many necessary skills for project managers to possess. This is no one right answer. However, this answer should reflect your greatest strength and how it would benefit the role of project manager.
"Project managers must have a diverse range of abilities, but I would say most importantly they need to be flexible. This can mean being able to quickly adjust to taking on a new direction to better execute a project or to meet a new deadline. Or it could mean being adaptable to work with an array of personality types. In this role, sometimes you will need to react quickly and strategically so being able to adapt to new circumstances is necessary."
28. Explain me how do you ensure your team stays on track to meet project deadlines?
The interviewer wants to know that you can manage your team effectively. Also, they want to make sure you not only get projects completed, but in a timely manner.
"I think it all comes down to communication and accountability. The team should have some sort of idea what the others are working on. This way each person knows they have to hold their weight and have others relying on them. Setting expectations and creating tentative schedules of when tasks will be completed helps to instill this among the team. We are responsible for separate aspects, however as a whole we must work together to finish a project within the designated deadline. Also, I'm adamant about check-ins to make sure everyone is making progress and to offer assistance, if necessary. I truly follow the philosophy that the team is only as strong as its weakest member."
29. Tell me how do you approach important assignments?
I find that the best way to tackle important assignments is to work backwards, in a sense. I envision what the project should ideally look like in the end, then I formulate a plan to achieve that goal. If it is a team project, I get team members involved early by including them in the planning process. This way they have a vested interest in the project and will most likely be more motivated to see it through. On the other hand, if I am completing the project by myself, I take time to fully plan out my steps. Either way, I make sure there are measures in place along the way to ensure the project is panning out correctly and make adjustments when needed.
Working successfully in a project coordinator's role is entirely dependent on diverse skills so there isn't just one skill that one needs. However, the ability to multitask is of the greatest importance as a project coordinator is often overseeing multiple projects at the same time along with handling several duties within each project.
31. Can you tell me how would you define the typical working conditions of a project coordinator?
Busy, complex, involved with cross company teams and many levels of the organization management, its affiliates, and customers, all at once. Do not hesitate to say that because of the breadth of your field of work, a typical day is characterized by uncertainty and surprise. This requires quick and creative thinking, flexibility, tolerance, adaptability, and formidable multi-tasking skills.
32. Tell me what do you deem the most important out of all the duties of a project manager?
Establishing work plans, handling staffing requirements, developing product specifications and coordinating business unit managers are some of the most important duties of a project manager. Equally important is outlining work plans and assigning duties to staff members and handle budget management activities.
Tension within a team is usually created due to differences in opinion. Explain to the interviewer how you would handle such a situation, while keeping the best interest of the project in mind.
"I always believe in my team and clearly there was a reason they all preferred option B. I would ask their reasoning behind the preference. Given their explanation if I felt as if the project would be more successful using option B, I would definitely be on board. I don't take those types of things personally. At the end of the day, it's about what will create the best possible results for the given project."
This is a good chance to tell the interviewer how you progressed through your career, how you started and where you are at, today, and that you are right on track. Be specific and to the point. Again, this is a short answer question.
You can really turn this answer around any which way that works best for you. The basic idea that you want to get across to the interviewer is that you have a plan for where you are going. Most people don't, they just wander around from job to job, but not you.
Ever since my first paper route at age 10 I've been doing something to keep myself busy and earn money. Back then, it was obviously about earning some spending money. What I didn't realize was that I was actually starting the journey of establishing what I liked to do and how I fit in to the grand scheme of things. I then worked as a junior computer tech in my last 2 summers of high school. It was here that I discovered what I was passionate about and what I wanted to do. I enrolled in college to get my degree in computer sciences, and I have been working around technology ever since.
