Understand and Master These Manager Interview Questions

Interview Questions for Managers

If you’re trying to move into a management role at a job, then the hiring manager is probably going to ask specific questions that they might not ask an entry-level worker. The interview process for a managerial position is inherently going to be stricter than for an entry-level job; after all, the best manager will be able to push a company far forward, while a low-quality manager may actually hold the company back with their management style. Here’s what you need to know about manager interview questions if you’re planning to go for a management position.

Top Interview Questions a Manager Might Need to Answer

Questions for a manager job will try to gauge your overall leadership skills. Although there are definitely many questions you might be asked, here are a few common manager interview questions to prepare for:

• What is your leadership style?

  A hiring manager will ask this question to gauge how you act as a manager generally. Additionally, they may be looking to get more information about your work experience, as this question tends to assume that you have management skills from a previous job.

• How would you deal with an employee who regularly has a hard time meeting deadlines?

  Questions like this, where you’re asked how you would handle an employee who is underperforming, are all about how you interact with your team. Hiring managers are typically looking for someone who can look into an individual team member’s problems and help them in their skill set and general ability to deliver on their work. It’s expensive to hire someone new, so the last thing they want is to hire someone who’s not going to keep team members.

• How do you delegate responsibilities within a team?

  Understanding how you work within a team and a specific work environment are very important. Getting to see specific examples of teamwork experiences can help a hiring manager see whether you’ll be able to meet specific milestones with a new team.

• Can you give me an example of a time when you needed to follow-up with an employee?

  This is an example of a behavioral interview question, where a hiring manager is looking to see how you’ve behaved with previous experiences to understand what you might do in the future. An example answer will typically follow the STAR method of answering questions, where you discuss the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• How would you describe the company culture at previous jobs where you’ve worked?

  Oftentimes, this question is trying to get at how you see jobs that you’ve already left. A company doesn’t want to take a chance on someone who might badmouth them after they leave. Your best option here is to be honest and sincere; point out any problems you had without slandering previous employers and include good things about them as well.

• What sets you apart from other manager candidates?

  In this question, hiring managers typically want to see that you fit the job requirements. This is one of the reasons it’s a good idea to brush up on the job description before you go into an interview. By addressing what the job asks for, you’ll be more likely to move on and get the job