Common Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Preparing for an interview for a management position means that you have had successful interviews in the past. Your previous experience may help you to review questions before appearing for the management interview. 

It is in your interest to understand interview success techniques because you aim to secure the job. If you go with full preparation, the chances of success will be higher for you. 

Interview Questions for Management Position

Hiring managers will ask you questions about your experience, management pattern, and any achievements that you have made in the past. Also, they will ask questions about your future goals.

Interviewers want to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for their organization. To provide convincing responses to the questions, it is better that you use some specific examples from your previous experience.

Read More: Top Interview Questions with their Best Answers

In this way, interviewers will get the impression that you can successfully handle various situations.

The purpose of the questions will be to evaluate your team leadership skills. The Managers’ job description requires them to lead teams, and that is why managers should possess leadership qualities.

If your interview is for a management trainee position, you can provide an example from your academic background or extracurricular activities. 

Common Management Interview Questions and Example Answers

You need to provide answers that could reflect your effective management techniques and strategies. Following are the six commonly asked questions and possible answers.

1. What Is Your Expectation of a Manager?

Interviewing managers want to know your perception about a manager as an employee. You need to be positive and illustrate effective management qualities.

Read More: Common Leadership Interview Questions

 You can say: I expect my manager to have an explicit discussion about policies and the line of action. Also, I expect my manager to assign roles to all the team members. It is vital so that everyone could effectively contribute to the attainment of organizational goal.

Similarly, I expect my manager to take the team members’ input and respect their opinions. 

2. What Were Your Feelings While Working for Your Manager?

The purpose of this question is to evaluate how you responded to your manager. Do not criticize your manager in your response even if you had some disagreements with your supervisor in the past. 

You can reply: I have worked under a cooperative manager. My manager was always in collaboration with other team members. I consider myself lucky that the managers I have worked were flexible, and they effectively communicate with all the team members. As a result, we were able to resolve all the issues. 

Read More: What Are the Common Questions for an Internship Interview?

3. Describe How Would You Manage a Difficult Employee.

This is one of the attributes of a manager that they focus on every team member, and get best out of them. At times, managers have to work with challenging employees. To answer this question, you can quote an example from your previous job. 

In my previous organization, a person joined my department. Although he was brilliant, he lacked experience as he was a young financial assistant, who was a fresh graduate. He was trying to do his job correctly, but other team members started complaining against him.

Read More: Top 10 Nursing Interview Questions

I discussed with that person and explained to him our company culture. I encouraged him and expressed trust in his abilities, and I briefly explained to him the expectations of senior managers and other team members.

Furthermore, I described my style of working when I newly joined the organization. Resultantly, my conversation gave him a lot of confidence. I said, never hesitate to discuss your problem in case of any difficulty. Subsequently, his performance improved substantially. 

4. If You Know a Manager Is Wrong on a Particular Occasion, How Would You Deal with the Situation?

The managers have greater responsibilities. The hiring managers want to know how would you react when you make a mistake. Even experienced managers make mistakes in some cases. However, managers must realize their mistakes and take corrective measures as soon as possible. 

On a few occasions, when I felt my manager was wrong, I respectfully communicated with them. I discussed the issues with them privately and conveyed to them about the mistake.

Read More: Best Ways to Explain Your Weakness in the Interview

Fortunately, my managers were thorough professionals; they admitted their errors and thanked me for pointing out the mistake. 

5. As a Manager, How Would You Motivate Your Team Members?

Employees need the motivation to work with commitment. Strong management motivates all the team members in a way that they take ownership of what they do. Through this question, you will get an opportunity to discuss your leadership style. 

I would take each of my team members for a 15-20-minute tea break every day, on a rotation basis. I would let all my team members know this schedule, so they know when is their turn. In the individual sessions, I would allow them to raise any concerns about the team working.

By doing so, I would develop a comfort level with them. Additionally, I would appreciate them for their excellent work and would give them a recommendation for any improvement. 

6. Why Should We Consider You?

The interviewer or the interviewing panel wants to know the distinguishing features in your personality and working style. You have to prove that you would work effectively. 

I have worked for four years as a supervisor in a large manufacturing organization. I have already managed a team in my previous organization and my university while working on a project. I have worked closely with managers.

Read More: Top 10 Phone Interview Tips

I have worked under pressure and successfully met the company’s goals. This job relates to my previous post. I can utilize my managerial skills effectively for this company if given opportunity.

Interview Questions for Managers-Final Word 

For the management position, interviewers ask questions to have an idea about the management style of a candidate. The management position requires you to handle a team.

Therefore, you have to demonstrate your leadership skills and convey how you can motivate all the team members. The questions discussed in this article will give you an idea as to how to prepare for the interview. If you answer these basic questions effectively, the chances of success will be higher for you.