Contents
- 1 Tell me about a time successfully you led a project
- 2 Other interview questions that are similar
- 3 What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
- 4 How best to structure your answer to this question
- 5 What you should NOT do when answering questions
- 6 Tell me about a time successfully you led a project – Example answers
- 7 Other Interview Question and Answers
Tell me about a time successfully you led a project
Other interview questions that are similar
- Can you describe a project where you effectively guided a team to a successful outcome?
- Share an example of a project leadership experience that yielded positive results.
- Explain a situation in which your leadership skills were pivotal in achieving project success.
- Provide an instance when your project leadership abilities contributed significantly to the project’s accomplishment.
- Discuss a specific project where your leadership played a crucial role in achieving the desired goals.
- Can you recall a project where your leadership was instrumental in delivering successful results?
- Describe a project from your past where your leadership made a difference in its ultimate success.
What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
There are probably an infinite number of questions that the interviewer could ask you on the day. Some questions are incredibly common appearing in almost every interview you will have, while other questions you might hear once and never again regardless of how many jobs you apply for.
Fundamentally though all interview questions are really trying to find out one of 3 things:
1 – Can you do the job? (Do you have the skills/experience needed?)
2 – Will you do the job? (Do you have the drive/motivation to get the job done?)
3 – Will you fit in? (Does your personality match the workplace culture? Are you likeable?)
That’s it. Those are the 3 things that the interviewer is trying to ascertain. Every question that is asked of you will fundamentally be trying to resolve one (or more) of these 3 things.
The question “Tell me about a time you successfully led a project” directly relates to the three core interview concerns. It assesses your skills and experience (Can you do the job?) by examining your leadership in a real-world situation. Your approach to challenges in the project reflects your drive and motivation (Will you do the job?), and how you managed team dynamics offers insight into your fit within a workplace culture (Will you fit in?).
How best to structure your answer to this question
Unless the question you are asked is a straight ‘up or down / yes or no’ style question then you are going to need to learn to describe, expand and elaborate on your answers. The best way of doing this is to follow the B-STAR technique for answering interview questions.
Answers using this method follow the below structure:
B – Belief – What are your thoughts and feelings with regard to the subject matter? Regarding leading a project, this might involve your belief in teamwork and effective communication as key to project success.
S – Situation – What was going on? Briefly explain the scenario that was taking place. – Try not to spend too much time describing the situation. The bulk of your answer needs to be about you and what you did so keep the situation simple to understand and even simpler to describe. For the interview question, this could be a quick setup of the project’s background, emphasizing the challenges that necessitated strong leadership.
T – Task – What was your role in the action? Most of the time it is best that you are taking an active rather than passive role in the encounter. In relation to leading a project, this would involve outlining your specific responsibilities and leadership role within the project.
A – Activity (or action) – What did you do? Detail the steps you took and why you took them. – This should take up the bulk of your time answering the question. Here, you’d describe the actions you took to lead the project successfully, demonstrating your problem-solving, management, and leadership skills.
R – Result – How did everything end up? Try to use figures if possible (e.g. we cut costs by $3m, customer satisfaction scores increased 25%, failures reduced to zero, ice cream parties increased ten-fold etc.). For the interview question, this is where you’d share the project’s successful outcome, using quantifiable results to underscore your effective leadership.
Remember though that the B-STAR technique is descriptive not prescriptive. You do not need to follow this flow strictly, go with what is best for your answers and that will allow you to put your point across and show your experience the best.
What you should NOT do when answering questions
Do not avoid the question.
Do not overhype the situation.
Do not give a one-sentence answer.
Do not focus solely on the actions of others.
Do not neglect to mention the project’s outcome.
Do not fail to specify your role in the project’s success.
Do not speak negatively about team members or other stakeholders.
Tell me about a time successfully you led a project – Example answers
Example Answer 1
“I’ve always believed that clear communication and collaboration are the keys to any project’s success. In my previous role at XYZ Corp, we faced a significant challenge. Our main product launch was at risk due to unforeseen delays from our primary supplier. As the project manager, it was my responsibility to navigate this crisis and keep the project on track.
The situation was tense, with the launch date looming and the team anxious about the delays. Recognizing the urgency, I convened an emergency meeting with the project team and key stakeholders to assess our options. I explained the situation transparently, ensuring everyone understood the severity of the delay.
My task was multifaceted. I had to find an immediate solution to the supplier issue, maintain team morale, and ensure we didn’t compromise on the quality of our product. I initiated a rapid brainstorming session, where we evaluated alternative suppliers and discussed ways to expedite other aspects of the project to make up for lost time.
The action I took was decisive. I led a subgroup to negotiate with potential new suppliers while coordinating with the internal teams to adjust our project timelines and redistribute tasks. My focus was on open communication, regularly updating the team and stakeholders about our progress and any changes.
The result of these efforts was remarkable. We secured a new supplier within a week, and due to the team’s hard work and adaptability, we caught up on the schedule. The product launched on time, and the crisis management actually led to improved processes within our team. Notably, we saw a 20% increase in sales over previous product launches, a testament to the team’s dedication and the effectiveness of our swift response to the crisis. This experience reinforced my belief in proactive leadership and the importance of a cohesive, well-informed team in overcoming business challenges.”
Example Answer 2
More Sample Answers…
The examples provided above can serve as a foundation for creating your unique answers. For additional inspiration, our new guide includes five sample responses to this question and over 250 answers to all of the most common interview queries.
Other Interview Question and Answers
The Most Popular Interview Questions (YOU WILL BE ASKED THESE QUESTIONS – 100%)
45 Civil Service Interview Question and Answers
Interview Question: Dealing with Difficult Customers – Answer Tips
Interview Question: Making Mistakes – Answer Tips
Interview Question: Resolving Conflict – Answer Tips