Manager interview questions

• As a candidate, your interviewer will assess your leadership skills, and want to know if you have strong analytical skills and business experience.

• As an interviewer, look for candidates who have a commanding and charismatic personality, as well as management experience to back it up.

Manager Interview Questions and Answers

One thing you’ll quickly notice is that most interview questions for a manager don’t have one answer. In fact, the questions are open-ended so there is a lot of opportunity to showcase your qualifications, your accomplishments, and those great soft skills we mentioned above.

1. Tell me about your management experience.

   You had to know this question was coming, especially if you’re not doing an internal interview with the company you already work for. If you have experience, get ready to showcase your job skills. If you don’t, then it’s time to focus on your leadership skills and how you’ve used them in the past.

   Example Answer:

   I have over 10 years of management experience, with several examples of how I successfully organized my sales team. Once, I noticed a coworker of mine was having difficulty meeting her sales quota. I offered my assistance and explained the strategies I had used to reach my own goals. She began asking me for advice on other topics related to her job, and before long she was exceeding her quota. She has since become a mentor for other coworkers, helping them to become successful in their roles.

   I find great satisfaction in helping others improve, and I believe this improvement acts as a catalyst for other growth elsewhere. With that in mind, I want to use my experience and knowledge to guide my coworkers and help them reach their full potential.

2. Tell me how you’ve managed a dispute.

   This is one of those great open-ended questions. In the interviewer’s mind, they’re probably thinking about how you navigated a work dispute in your last job. And that is a totally acceptable answer. But maybe you don’t have that work experience.

   Do you have any personal stories you can use instead? This is why this question is wonderful. You can showcase how you saved the family dynamic, created acceptance among friends, and won a battle with a retailer.

   Whatever disputes you’ve handled well, they’re game for this answer.

   Example Answer:

   I have a great deal of experience managing disputes. I have found that the most important thing is to remain calm and professional throughout the process, and prioritize the fostering of a positive workplace culture.

   One time, two of my employees had gotten into an argument over who should be responsible for restocking a particular section of the store. The argument escalated to the point where both refused to speak to each other.

   I first approached each employee separately to get their perspective on the situation and ensured they knew I was listening to their concerns.

   Next, I gathered both employees together in a private meeting to facilitate constructive dialogue. I encouraged them to share their perspectives and concerns, and suggested we assign tasks on an alternating schedule, so both employees would have the opportunity to do the task they preferred.

   Afterward, the situation resolved itself over time. I checked in on the employees again after two weeks, and luckily their relationship had recovered.

3. What is your management style?

   Be prepared for this question. You’ll want to plan how to answer the management style question. The interviewer might have an answer in mind because they prefer a certain method that goes with their company culture.

   Or they might just want to know more about your methods. Either way, it’s good to research this because most people don’t classify their method unless they’re asked.

   Example Answer:

   I've always found success with a bottom-up approach where I empower my employees to act creatively and independently.

   At my last general management job at Jenny's Crafts, I made sure to train my employees thoroughly on how to perform their job.

   Beyond that, I was just there to provide guidance and leadership. By not micromanaging my employees, they were more efficient in their work and presented a more positive demeanor to our customers.

4. How do you motivate your team or employees?

   The person asking the question really wants to understand how you lead others. This can be a super difficult question to answer because some people are born with natural leadership qualities and they don’t know how to explain it.

   They don’t really even realize that they’re doing it. Prepare for this question by taking stock of your soft skills, interpersonal relationships, and your ability to communicate. This should help you answer the question.

   Example Answer:

   When it comes to individual employees, I praise high performers in front of their coworkers. This not only motivates them to continue working hard, but also sets an example for the team.

   To motivate my entire team, I like to offer incentives such as bonuses and vacation time.

5. Can you tell me about a time your team made a mistake and your response?

   This is a classic behavioral interview question. The interviewee gives the recruiter significant insight into their behaviors by their answer. They’ll be looking at your boundaries, your instinct, what you learned from the experience, and if you’re willing to accept responsibility – even if it wasn’t directly your fault.

   Example Answer:

   When I managed the marketing team, one of my team members accidentally sent an email campaign to the wrong segment of the company's email list, which resulted in a flood of unsubscribe requests and angry customer feedback.

   As the manager, my first priority was to address the mistake and minimize the damage it caused. I first acknowledged the mistake by talking to the employee and taking responsibility for my unclear directions.

   Then, I looked into how many customers were affected, how much revenue was lost, and what the long-term impact might be, so I could properly discuss the issue with customers and upper management.

   Together with upper management, I formulated an apology email to send to customers, which offered generous coupons. I also had a meeting with all of my employees to discuss communication methods for preventing another incident like this in the future.

   Overall, by taking swift and effective action to address the mistake, I was able to minimize the damage and maintain trust with your customers and upper management.

6. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

   Here’s another opportunity to showcase your soft skills. Remember how all interviewers used to ask what your strengths and weaknesses are? This is a modern way of asking about your strengths.

   It’s meant to get a more honest answer and not the standard canned responses. Keep this in mind when you are answering.

   Example Answer:

   I'm most proud of the time I led a cross-functional team to develop and launch a new product line for our company. This project was particularly challenging because we were working in a highly competitive market and had a tight timeline to get the product to market.

   To make this project a success, I focused on building a strong team that was aligned with the necessary skills to get the job done. I worked closely with our design, engineering, and marketing teams to ensure that we were delivering a product that met the needs of our customers while also differentiating ourselves from our competitors.

   Through careful planning and execution, we were able to launch the product on time and within budget, generating significant revenue for the company and establishing ourselves as a key player in the market.

   This accomplishment taught me the importance of strong leadership, effective communication, and strategic planning. It also showed me the power of a high-performing team and the value of working collaboratively towards a shared goal.

7. What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?

   What motivates you at work? Use this to help you define the answer. In a job interview for a manager, they want to know if you just want money, the power and prestige of a management job, or if you’re looking to advance and become an even more integral player.

   Example Answer:

   What motivates me most is seeing my team succeed and make a positive impact on the company and its customers. As a manager, I take great pride in developing and supporting my team members to help them reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

   Being able to foster an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and innovation is a huge part of this success. When I see my team members working together, sharing ideas, and making progress toward our shared goals, it gives me all the motivation I could need.

8. If you’re given several tasks, how do you prioritize and organize?

   Remember above when we mentioned that planning and organization are crucial skills for a manager to have. This is where you get to detail your skills and explain your particular method for handling the work you’re given.

   Example Answer:

   Proper prioritization and organization is key, and I do so by identifying the tasks that are most time sensitive or crucial to success. These will be the tasks that I will perform first and ensure I communicate with my team about.

   Once I've identified my priorities, I use a combination of time management techniques and organizational tools to stay focused and on track. I might use a to-do list or task management software to keep track of my tasks, and I block out time in my calendar to work on those tasks.

   I also make sure to delegate tasks to the appropriate team members based on their skills and availability. This not only helps to ensure that the work gets done efficiently, but also empowers my team members to take ownership of their work and develop their skills.

9. What do you believe is the most important trait for an effective manager to have? You can give many different excellent answers, each indicating something different about your style of management.

   A few essential management traits include:

   • Interpersonal and communication skills

   • Effective team-building skills

   • Creative-thinking and flexibility

   • Problem-solving abilities

   Example Answer:

   It's crucial for managers to understand how to build effective teams.

   By leading your employees in the right direction, motivating them, and developing their skills, you can create a team that can tackle any challenge.

10. What metrics do you pay the most attention to when conducting employee performance reviews? Performance reviews are an extremely useful tool in the management toolbox for improving your employees and team as a whole.

    Example Answer:

    I first focus on quantifiable performance metrics such as raw productivity and work quality.

    I also make sure to review and offer advice when it comes to my employees' work ethic, enthusiasm, and collaboration skills.

11. Tell me about yourself. In the context of being a manager, you should focus on your professional background in leadership and business positions, as well as any major skills you have and accomplishments you've made.

    Example Answer:

    I have been in leadership roles, including my position as a Manager at Hex Corp. for over 10 years. This invaluable experience has given me a strong background in management and a proven track record of implementing successful strategies to improve operational efficiency.

    I am an excellent communicator and have a keen eye for detail, which are essential qualities for a successful Manager. Further, my communication skills have allowed me to develop a strong network of contacts, which allows me to be at the forefront of new solutions.

    Overall, I am a strong leader with a passion for driving the success of the business. I am confident in my ability to develop effective strategies, and I am always looking for ways to improve myself and the employees I manage.

12. Why should we hire you? The person who has the most comprehensive perspective on their performance as a manager is the candidate themselves. That’s why an interviewer usually asks them, “Why should we hire you?”.

    When answering, a candidate should outline the aspects of their personality and experience that make them an ideal fit for the role. The hiring manager wants the applicant to sell themselves succinctly when posing this blunt question.

    Example Answer:

    You should hire me because I possess a wealth of experience in the field, as well as a proven track record of success.

    I have managed operations in a variety of different industries, and am well-versed in the complexities of running a successful business. This comes from my strong understanding of the financial and operational topics that are critical to the success of any operation, paired with my highly organized and detail-orientated nature.

    I am also an excellent communicator, which can be seen in my proven ability to motivate and inspire team members, as well as my natural talent to build strong relationships.

13. Why do you want to work here? A good answer to this question will be specific to the company you're applying for. This is why it's important to research the company before the interview, so you can use that knowledge to explain why you want to work there.

    Example Answer:

    I want to work here because I believe my leadership style is a perfect fit for your team, and my guidance will help you meet sales goals on the floor. Your mission statement of "Innovative products for exceptional customers", speaks to me, in that I believe innovation in management is the first step toward creating an exceptional customer experience.

14. Where do you see yourself in five years? Companies hiring a manager want to know that you will be loyal and dedicated to keeping up with the industry. Talk about how you plan to advance your management career, and how you intend to improve the store or team you'll be managing.

    Example Answer:

    In five years, I see myself as the manager who pushes positive growth and development. I will have gained even more experience and expertise that will allow me to make informed and beneficial decisions.

    I am also dedicated to staying up to date on the latest trends in my field and strive to stay ahead of the curve. At the end of five years, I am confident that my dedication and hard work will be reflected in the company’s bottom line.

15. What are your strengths and weaknesses? This question is all about balance and positivity. Start off by talking about your biggest strength. Then, even after you honestly transition to your biggest weakness, ensure that you discuss how you manage and improve that weakness.

    Example Answer:

    My greatest strength is my ability to lead a team. I am passionate about guiding my team toward success and I have a clear vision of what that success looks like. I also understand the importance of setting clear goals and objectives, and I am always looking for ways to motivate and inspire my team to achieve those goals.

    My greatest weakness is that I can be overly critical of myself. I strive for perfection and can become frustrated if I don't feel like I am reaching my goals in an ideal way. I have been working on recognizing my successes and taking time to celebrate my accomplishments, no matter how small. This has helped me to focus on the progress I have made, rather than on any perceived shortcomings.

Additional Examples of Manager Interview Questions

• Can you name some improvements you would make as a manager?

• Do you have experience managing a team with limited resources?

• Are you prepared to work overtime or during holidays?

• What do you know about our company?

• How do you handle personality conflict with coworkers?

• Have you ever had one of your employees approach you with an innovative idea? How did you respond?

• Tell me about a time you implemented an out-of-the-box solution. If so, were you successful?

• Do you have any questions for me?

• Tell me about a time you tackled a task you’d never done before.

• What is one of your greatest successes on the job?