Also known as a budget manager or award manager. Grant managers are tasked with researching funding opportunities, supervising grant staff, preparing budgets, monitoring expenditures, analysing results, identifying support agencies, analysing financial data. Therefore, the place of a grant manager is very crucial and critical in an organisation and you’ll really have to outstand in the interview to get the place.
Questions and Answers
1. Why do you want to work as a grant manager?
Sample Answer
“Since when I was in school I have had a love for maths and numbers. People disregard the importance of financial management while talking about a firm’s success. We as grant managers work from backstage so the act can take place flawlessly. To me, that is almost superhero-like.”
2. How did you hear about this position?
Sample Answer
“I was scouring through the lanes of the internet to find something that satiated me and I stumbled across this job. It instantly caught my eye for it met my requirements as a person and I had the skillset to do it.”
3. Can you tell us more about your previous work experience?
Sample Answer
“In my last job, I worked as an assistant grant manager. I learned a lot from my superior, one could argue that he was my mentor. I didn’t plan on quitting there. I was to even get a promotion in due time. However, due to personal reasons, I had to move. So, when I saw an opening for a grant manager I quickly leapt forth.”
4. What have you done to improve your skills as a grant manager?
Sample Answer
“At my last job my boss emphasised that we all should read as much as possible, whether fiction or not. In the last year, I have built upon that advice. I read at least a book every two months. To exercise my skills even further I do freelancing jobs too.”
5. In your opinion what can we improve about our grant plan?
Sample Answer
“In my opinion, I feel your firm has a great grant plan. However, no plan is immune to faults. From my research, I make out that you probably have bad communication with your donors. As I have read up on them and they would have donated more amount in you but you probably weren’t able to communicate your goals very clearly.
6. Your client is upset with you for a mistake you made how do you react?
Sample Answer
“Firstly I would start with recognising what and how my mistake has cost them. When I am aware of what they are going through, I can provide them with a sincere apology along with the most effective countermeasures to move ahead and cover up the losses incurred.”
7. One of the major donors call you and say that they are’t satisfied with the way their money is being spent.
Sample Answer
“I wouldn’t try to disperse them from this thought immediately. I am also only human so it could be that I have made a mistake. I would listen to their point of view first and if it fits well with me and the company we might inculcate that. If not I would explain to them why have we spent the money in the way we have. Communication is the key in this situation.”
8. Why do you want to leave your current company as grant manager?
Sample Answer
“I have loved working with all my former colleagues and superiors. They helped me learn a lot and grow as a person. However, the company I worked for was not as big as yours. There wasn’t much challenge left for me, I had to mostly repeat the same cycle over and over. I had reached my plateau point there. That’s is why I am applying here, to have a challenge and to grow and use my skills to the maximum.”
9. How do you measure success of a grant program?
Sample Answer
“The last thing we want to do is rely on luck. I like to set clear goals beforehand and to measure if the program was a success or not we can draw upon the numerical data of, the number of grants written, number of applicants who got funding, number of donors and funders.”
10. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Sample Answer
“My boss is a person who is going to lead me, not just professionally but also morally. So, according to me, my boss should possess intelligence and a moral character.”
11. How will you ensure integrity within the team of employees?
Sample Answer
“We all know that greed is something in our nature, and people might give in to temptation in matters of money. So, to ensure integrity, my prefered things to do are; install strict and proper control mechanisms, no exceptions to audits, and making sure everyone complies with the rules and the checks are impartial.”
12. Tell us something about yourself?
Sample Answer
“I am a very organised person, I like to make lists and tables about mostly everything. I tend to like not to leave room for error, and as a grant manager, I think that is a very needed trait, as when we deal in matters of money making a mistake will not only cost me but the company and the client also.
13. What type of salary are you looking for?
The interviewer asks this question to ascertain what you think you should be paid, so if you have low expectations they can have a satisfied employee in a lot less. Hence, I’d recommend using reverse psychology to ask them the question instead of what they are willing to pay.
14. What are the roles of a grant manager?
Sample Answer
“Grant manager has one of the most crucial roles. They are supposed to distribute the funds raised from donors in such a way that it helps the company to reach its goals, they are supposed to prepare the budget, monitor expenses, identify support agencies, and analyse results.”
15. Explain to us what do you know about our company?
The answer to this question will be the research you do on the company. You’re essentially expected to tell everything that you found out about the company.
16. Describe breifly about your experience.
This answer can tell them a lot so pick your words carefully while answering this one. You should tell them about your previous job and if there is a highlight which shows how good you are, be sure to include it. Also, make sure not to say anything even remotely bad about your previous co-workers or superiors.
17. How do you deal with ideas provided by your team?
Sample Answer
“I am not one for discarding something before hearing it out. If the idea is good I give them recognition and credits. However, if I think otherwise of the idea, I sit with them to talk about the flaws in their idea to help them grow too.”
18. Explain your weaknesses as a grant manager.
Sample Answer
” This is embarrassing but I tend to be short-tempered at times when deadlines are not being met. However, I have known this thing about myself for years now and I have been constantly working on them. So, episodes like those rarely occur, even if they do I take a break until I am myself again.”
19. Do you know anyone that works with our company?
Sample Answer
“No, I do not. I found out about you from a newspaper article you guys published for the job opening”
20. What skills do you bring to the table?
Sample Answer
” I am somewhat of an all-rounder. I have good analytical skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, computer skills, presentation skills and management skills.”
21. What are your thoughts on failure?
Sample Answer
“Failure is something unavoidable over the course of time, as we are only humans, it is not a thing to be afraid of. However, this doesn’t mean I look forward to failure. I try to minimise and avoid it to my level best but if it occurs I learn from it and make counter measures to cope with the damage done.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Do not forget to leave a comment and share this with your friends, and remember these are reference answers to help you make your own not answers that you should copy from.
References
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Sandeep Bhandari is the founder of PrepMyCareer.com website.
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