The Retro: How Great PMs Tackle Interview Curveballs

The Digital Project Manager

Navigating job interviews as a project manager can feel like walking through a minefield of unpredictable questions. In this episode of The Retro, Kelsey sits down with Kayla Quijas—a senior PM and certified career coach—to unpack how to tackle curveball questions with poise and purpose. From candy bar hypotheticals to high-stakes stakeholder slip-ups, Kayla shares actionable frameworks that help PMs answer tough questions with clarity, honesty, and a whole lot of confidence.

They dive deep into how interviews aren’t just about your resume—they’re about how you think, lead, and adapt under pressure. Whether you’re pivoting into PM from another field, trying to land your first role, or just looking to sharpen your interview game, this conversation offers the tools to prep smarter, answer authentically, and leave a lasting impression.

Resources from this episode:

• Join DPM Membership
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn
• Check out Kayla’s website

챕터

1. Introduction to Curveball Interview Questions (00:00:00)

2. Meet Kayla: From Cake Decorator to Senior PM (00:01:33)

3. Understanding Challenging Interview Questions (00:03:12)

4. The RAID Framework for Unexpected Questions (00:05:47)

5. The POST Framework for "Weakness" Questions (00:08:45)

6. Avoiding Common Interview Mistakes (00:11:07)

7. Building Confidence and Charisma (00:13:22)

8. Follow-up Strategies and Thank You Notes (00:18:12)

9. Final Advice and The Candy Bar Question (00:27:03)