Question forms part of
Civil Service Question Bank
Project Manager Question & Answer Sheet
Other interview questions that are similar
- Can you describe a time when you successfully led a meeting? What were the key factors that contributed to its success?
- How do you prepare for facilitating a meeting? What steps do you take to ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently?
- Can you provide an example of a challenging meeting you had to lead? How did you handle the situation and what was the outcome?
- How do you ensure that all participants in a meeting have an opportunity to contribute and share their ideas?
- What strategies do you use to keep a meeting focused and on track, especially when discussions become lengthy or contentious?
- How do you manage conflicts or disagreements that may arise during a meeting? Can you share an example of how you resolved a conflict in the past?
- What tools or techniques do you use to engage remote participants during virtual meetings? How do you ensure they feel included and valued?
- How do you handle participants who dominate the conversation or who are reluctant to contribute during a meeting?
- Can you share an example of a time when you received feedback on your meeting facilitation skills? How did you use that feedback to improve?
- In your opinion, what are the most important qualities or skills of an effective meeting facilitator?
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. When answering questions related to leading and facilitating meetings this will generally mean:
- Can you do the job? (Do you have the skills/experience needed?) When discussing your experience with leading and facilitating meetings, focus on specific instances where you have demonstrated the necessary skills, such as organizing agendas, managing time effectively, and using relevant tools for virtual meetings. Share examples that showcase your ability to lead diverse groups and adapt your facilitation style to various situations.
For example, when asked about a time when you successfully led a meeting, discuss the planning and execution process, highlighting the skills you utilized to make the meeting productive and efficient.
- Will you do the job? (Do you have the drive/motivation to get the job done?) To show your drive and motivation, emphasize your commitment to achieving meeting objectives and finding solutions to challenges that may arise during the process. Share stories where you went the extra mile to ensure the success of a meeting, such as taking the initiative to address conflicts or following up with participants to keep the momentum going.
When answering a question about handling participants who dominate the conversation or are reluctant to contribute, focus on your proactive approach in creating an inclusive environment that encourages participation and collaboration.
- Will you fit in? (Does your personality match the workplace culture? Are you likeable?) Showcase your interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to work well with others when discussing your experience in leading and facilitating meetings. Share examples that demonstrate your ability to connect with people, adapt to different communication styles, and maintain a positive atmosphere even in challenging situations.
For instance, when asked about managing conflicts or disagreements during a meeting, discuss your approach to resolving issues with empathy, active listening, and a focus on finding common ground.
How Best To Answer ‘What is your experience with leading and facilitating meetings?’
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.
For the interview question “What is your experience with leading and facilitating meetings?”, you can use the B-STAR technique to elaborate on your answer while still following the given structure:
B – Belief: Express your thoughts and feelings about the importance of effective meeting facilitation, including aspects like clear communication, active listening, time management, and driving consensus.
S – Situation: Describe a relevant scenario in which you were responsible for leading and facilitating a meeting. Keep the description brief and focused on the context and purpose of the meeting.
T – Task: Explain your role in the situation, emphasizing the active role you played in leading the meeting and ensuring its success. Highlight any specific responsibilities or goals you had.
A – Activity (or action): Elaborate on the steps you took during the meeting facilitation process. Detail your approach to setting the agenda, engaging participants, managing time, addressing conflicts, and assigning action items. Explain why each step was important and how it contributed to the meeting’s success.
R – Result: Summarize the outcome of your meeting facilitation efforts, using quantifiable metrics if possible (e.g., increased efficiency, improved collaboration, or reduced project delays). Emphasize the positive impact your facilitation skills had on the team or organization.
Keep in mind that the B-STAR technique serves as a guideline, and you can adapt it to best showcase your experience and skills in leading and facilitating meetings while providing a comprehensive and engaging response.
What You Should NOT Do When Answering Questions
Do not avoid the question.
Do not describe a failure (unless specifically asked).
Do not downplay the situation.
Do not overhype the situation.
Do not say you have no experience with the subject matter.
Do not reject the premise of the question.
Do not have a passive role in the situation.
Do not give a one-sentence answer.
Do not overly describe the scenario and miss the action
What is your experience with leading and facilitating meetings? – Example answers
Team Leader Example
I believe that effective meeting facilitation is essential for successful collaboration and decision-making, as it helps keep discussions focused, engages all participants, and drives meetings towards their objectives.
In my previous role as a team leader at XYZ Company, we were working on a major project with tight deadlines. It was crucial to hold weekly progress meetings with my team to ensure everyone was on track and address any issues that arose.
As the team leader, my responsibility was to lead and facilitate these meetings to maintain clear communication, foster collaboration, and ensure progress towards the project’s goals.
To achieve this, I started by preparing a detailed agenda and sharing it with my team members in advance, so they knew what to expect and could come prepared. During the meetings, I began with a brief recap of previous discussions and updates on our progress. I made sure to engage all participants by inviting everyone to share their input, ask questions, and discuss any concerns they might have. I also paid close attention to time management and gently steered the conversation back on track when it strayed from the agenda.
When conflicts or disagreements arose, I addressed them by actively listening to all sides, seeking common ground, and guiding the team towards a resolution. After each meeting, I ensured that action items and deadlines were assigned, and I followed up with team members to monitor progress.
As a result of these efforts, our team was able to complete the project on time and meet all performance benchmarks. Additionally, the weekly progress meetings led to improved communication and collaboration within the team, which contributed to a 20% increase in overall project efficiency.
Marketing Manager Example
I strongly believe that fostering open communication and collaboration is essential for successful teamwork, and one way to achieve this is through well-facilitated meetings where everyone feels heard and included.
In my previous role as a marketing manager at ABC Corporation, I was in charge of coordinating various marketing campaigns that required input and collaboration from multiple departments, such as design, content, and sales. Monthly cross-departmental meetings were crucial to align our strategies and ensure timely campaign execution.
As the marketing manager, my role was to lead and facilitate these meetings, ensuring that each department’s concerns were addressed and that we could move forward with a unified plan.
To accomplish this, I began by creating and sharing a clear agenda with all participants ahead of the meeting, highlighting key discussion points and objectives. During the meetings, I made a point to acknowledge and appreciate each department’s contributions, and I actively encouraged everyone to voice their opinions, ask questions, and share their expertise.
To manage time effectively and stay focused on our goals, I used a visual timer and set time limits for each agenda item. I also took detailed notes, summarizing the main takeaways and action items, which I shared with all participants after the meeting.
In situations where disagreements or conflicts arose, I took a diplomatic approach, allowing each party to express their concerns and facilitating a discussion that led to a mutually acceptable solution.
As a result of these well-structured and inclusive meetings, our marketing campaigns consistently met or exceeded performance goals, and inter-departmental collaboration improved significantly. This approach also led to a 30% increase in the efficiency of our marketing campaigns and a more cohesive company culture.
Product Manager Example
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