Walgreens District Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Walgreens interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. Tell me about a time you faced an ethical dilemma?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer is curious about what your answer will reveal about your level of integrity. They are also curious what kind of red flags your answer might reveal, such as making your coworkers seem lesser by making yourself seem bigger.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Avoid casting any coworkers or superiors in a negative light. Choose an example that advertises your integrity. Offering a situation where an honest mistake or human error was made, and how you went out of your way to make it right, could serve you well here.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had a manager whose inventory was consistently off. This person was a close friend of mine, and they repeatedly claimed they had a lot of shrinkage as a result of theft. Then I got a call from one of their employees informing me that this manager was coming in after they closed and filled up carts of goods and taking them home without paying for them, and they suspected this for years. So I had to see it with my own eyes. On the manager's day off I looked more closely at their numbers, keeping a keen eye out for this. Then I did a stakeout and documented it with my phone camera. I confronted them, and they asked me, as their friend, to let it slide. I couldn't, and they were fired. They blamed me for getting them fired, but there is no mistake that it was their own actions that were to blame."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Behavioral
2. How do you balance life and work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How you answer this question will offer the interviewer insights into how you cope with stress, either at work or at home. If you are stressed out at work, you'll burn out faster, and your performance will suffer. If an employee is stressed out in their personal life, it could not only hinder their performance but slow down the entire department, especially if they're drawing their coworkers into their personal drama.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
It's expected that a district manager will take their work home with them. It's important to keep a healthy work/life balance in order to prevent burnout. Demonstrate that you've balanced both worlds through your approach to life. The interviewer wants to know how you achieve that balance and aren't governed by chaos. Exude confidence and emotional maturity. These qualities are integral to leadership.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoy what I do, therefore finding that balance is frequently attainable. Sure, the perfect balance is difficult to achieve 100% of the time. That's why it's important to have some way of being able to swiftly decompress and nurture yourself. I have hobbies at home that facilitate this. My workshop is in my garage, that's my haven. I also devote attention to my family and personal needs as well. Yes, this work holds a lot of responsibility, but to make it sustainable one must set boundaries with themselves."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Behavioral
3. Tell me about a time when you failed.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many times, a person might feel fear of being judged for a mistake they've made. How they confront their fear, and the situation, is the true test of their character. They want to ensure their ideal candidate has a strong sense of self-accountability and exhibits the ability to learn from setbacks. How you answer will help them evaluate how you handle disappointment and what you learn from such experiences, if you take responsibility for your own actions, inactions, limitations, and self-awareness, as well as your attitude towards life. Making mistakes is human. How we deal with and remedy a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when asking for help is appropriate.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Relay a positive experience, providing what you consider failure looks like to you, the situation framing the setback, how you dealt with it, and what you learned from it. Detail what you would've done differently and how you avoided repeating it.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I inherited a district that was underperforming, a lot. It was overwhelming. I suffered from task paralysis and had trouble getting started. Long ago, a mentor suggested in situations I always tackle the biggest aspect of an overwhelming project first, since that was what I felt most daunted by. It was good general advice, and I listened to it. However, in this instance, I should have taken a different approach. I lost focus on the priorities of the project, where instead of focussing on the locations one by one, I should have looked more closely at the broader view of the problem at hand, which was the messaging of what the company's priorities were. As a result, I didn't manage my time right and should have approached the project differently. I missed that target, but never made the mistake again."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Behavioral
4. How do you go about delivering exceptional customer service, and how do you know when you were effective?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They are trying to evaluate your commitment to customer service, and how well suited you are to this role. Just because you have a background in customer service doesn't necessarily mean you deliver an exemplary customer-centric experience. How the customer leaves at the end of any customer experience is what they take with them. That exit moment is the make it or break it moment to brand loyalty. How well you fit into the culture of their brand, and how well you deliver that grand finale experience, is what they hope to learn about you.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Most companies have specific solutions they offer customers when an issue arises. Sometimes, despite your efforts, you can't meet their needs and need to get creative. More often than not, people evaluate exemplary customer service as being heard, validated, and treated fairly. The idea of what is fair may vary from person to person. But understanding this gives a deeper insight into the adage 'The customer is always right.' This term isn't meant to be taken literally. It more so conveys that good customer service is understanding, relating with, and delivering on expectations. Meeting those expectations equates to good customer service.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think it's the same when communicating with anyone. Everyone wants to feel heard, everyone wants to be treated with respect, and everyone seeks validation. So whenever I'm communicating with our customers, I engage, actively listen, mirror back to them what I feel they're communicating, and validate what they're communicating based on their perception and their reality. I'll present the situation back to them with the external components that may have been outside of their perspective. I'll share with them my knowledge, and the avenues I can explore to help them, and do my best to keep the communication as amenable and as transparent as possible. Show them that you're putting thought into it, exploring all options before reaching an outcome. In the end, by using whatever resources you have, you have to determine how much that customer's loyalty is worth and do all you can to deliver the best customer service experience you can to earn their brand loyalty."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Behavioral
5. What motivates you the most?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
An interviewer asks this question to understand what motivates you, and what kind of work environment suits you best. They are also curious about what your general attitude towards life is, and how that fuels your ambition.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Give them insights as to what motivates and inspires you on a personal level, as well as how you stay motivated throughout your workday. Detail how you approach your work, regardless of whether the task is high-pressure or monotonous. Detail how you stay motivated and productive throughout your day.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"The energy created from collaboration invigorates me. One person can feel a sense of accomplishment for something they've done, and that's great. It feels good to have done something individually and to be recognized for it. But when you're a part of something bigger, and the entire team is resonating with each other, that creates this energy that nothing can compare with. It feels like you're on the winning team. In this scenario, every contributor recognizes every contribution. That kind of camaraderie feels great. Even better, it feels pretty darn motivating when everybody wants to be on your team because they felt you are the coach of the winning team. That feeling is hard to beat."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Behavioral
6. How do you go about building strong relations with employees in your region?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Not only is the interviewer trying to get an idea of who you are, but also an idea of your communication skills, as well as your focus on a team mentality. There are many behavior types, and how you answer this behavioral question will show the interviewers how well you'll fit into the team and what you have to contribute. How anyone approaches building relationships while proving a strong work ethic at the same time is a tricky balancing act.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Soft people skills, and being able to non-defensively communicate with a wide range of personalities, are traits of strong leadership. Investing the time to work with employees who take more effort to get on the same page makes for a much stronger team. This brand of team collaboration broadly enhances work relations. Display yourself as a team player, openly and equally accepting everyone on your team.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"A team that feels safe and respected makes for positive and productive work culture. The smoothly running inner workings of a business depend on its predictability. Therefore, part of what builds an effective and reliable team is cohesive work relations, feeling secure in their relations, and being able to trust one another. That includes me. So I'll take the time to get to know as many employees in my district as I can. I want my door to always be open, and incentivize all of them to reach out to me for any reason. The information this yields, not all of it useful, is worth filtering through for the information of value that I would otherwise not attain. Not everyone has their eye on the entirety of the big picture. But everyone has their eye on part of it."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Communication
7. Give me an example of when you had to communicate with a difficult coworker. How did you affirm your communication was effective?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Communication is integral to any position and is more than getting everyone on the same page. It's about how a message is conveyed. Take care with your choice of words and what they might communicate. This is a test of your communication skills. They will evaluate your communication style. An effective coach successfully motivates a team to put their all in. How you motivate those you coach is as important as what you're teaching them.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Provide your definition of effective communication. Exemplify your ability for non-defensive communication, and how you helped enhance clear communication in this scenario. Talk about how you would find opportunities to clarify when communication was unclear. Provide specific examples of situations where you had to ask questions, mirror what was being communicated to you, and how a consensus was reached.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I was dealing with an assistant manager who was underperforming at their location. They claimed their manager was disrespectful. So I discussed the matter with their store manager and they identified where the assistant was struggling and suggested they be transferred to work under another manager who has a strong success rate in coaching in this regard. So I considered it and discussed it with that other store manager and we all agreed on this course of action and that they were a more well-suited mentor for this assistant. So I transferred them. Right off the bat, these two managers were not seeing eye to eye, and I was asked to step in and intervene in the situation.
My approach to this situation was to first meet with each manager individually to get their perspective on the situation and, lo-and-behold, the assistant felt disrespected by me and their new mentor. With that in mind, my approach to coaching their relationship focused on empathy and the ability to see things from each other's side. I held an open forum where I invited the former manager, the new manager, and this assistant, and each was permitted to talk openly and I think it was really eye-opening.
At the end of that single conversation, the assistant was able to recognize their misinterpretation of the communication going around. We challenged the assistant to take a company-run course on non-defensive communication. They did, and with further coaching, we got this person on track to really showcase the potential we recognized in them, with no further interpersonal issues. Now they're running their own store, and coaching their assistant on the same issues."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Direct
8. Do you know anyone who works for Walgreens?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question serves to inform them how you learned about the position, ie., whether you saw the job posting or were alerted by an insider. This could serve them to know if you are a more desirable candidate than you might otherwise appear. Additionally, they are curious what kind of inside perspective you might have on the position which you are competing for.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Be honest. Detail to them how you found out about this job opportunity, and what you know about it based on your research or otherwise. Break down what attracted you to the position, and hint at the research you've performed.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I knew someone who worked for Walgreens some ten years ago. I don't stay in touch with them since they moved to Thailand, but I do remember they had nothing but positive things to say about their experience. Based on everything I've learned about the company's mission and values, it seemed like a good fit and an opportunity worth pursuing."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Direct
9. Are you willing to work overtime, nights, or weekends?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
A district manager rarely leaves their work behind. They are salaried and must be available around the clock. The interviewer wants to gauge how flexible and experienced you are in this regard. How you answer this question, direct or evasive, will clue them in to your flexibility.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
You need to be upfront about the schedule you're willing to work. As you know, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. This distinguishes you from the herd as a viable candidate simply due to the fact that you're both after the same thing, a good fit. Interviews are an excellent time to uncover what's expected. Take notes and follow up with questions. When possible, have a notebook or folder containing all your resumes and cover letters that you've sent off to other employers, divided into sections, with notes from each interview in each separated tab. This will not only advertise you are playing the field but are approaching it with an organized systems approach, where you are scaling what each job has to offer, as well as respectfully exhibiting your interviewing skills.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am available around the clock, and ready for anything."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
10. Tell me something about yourself we haven’t already covered.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your resume and cover letter got you this far. Now your interviewers want to know more about you. Your answer will clue them in to your passions, hobbies, and your job-centric interests.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Use this as a chance to volunteer something that makes you more interesting and creates a connection between you and your interviewer. The more successful you are at this, the more memorable you'll be when it comes to decision time.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"Something interesting... I've built a few cars in my garage. The last one I built a few years ago was a T-Model Ford that I tricked out and installed a hybrid engine in. It's a great car and a fun project. Took me about 6 months to complete. Here's a picture."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
11. Tell me about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This initial question is an icebreaker. In order to contrast you with other viable candidates, they'll want to get to know you and your individual strengths first. Gaining insights into your personality will help them determine your fit for this opportunity. Emotional maturity, ambition, self-growth, conscientiousness, and integrity are some of the driving components they're hoping to hear from each candidate.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Use this icebreaker to highlight your more interesting work accomplishments or life experiences. Appeal to the personality of the interviewer while maintaining your professionalism. Exhibit forward-thinking. Try not to dwell on the hardships and hurdles you've overcome to get here. Focus on the positive takeaways from your experiences, which helped shape your character. Be personable and conversational in tone, yet remain professional and maintain your boundaries. Remember, it's typical for both the interviewer and the interviewee to be nervous in this situation. So set a friendly tone for the interview by providing them with attractive insights into who you are. This will help frame your personality as a desirable fit into their work culture.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I grew up in Pasadena, CA. As soon as I was legally able to, I got a job in retail during my summer vacations from school. By the time I turned 18, they promoted me to manager. I took a gap year before I went to college for business management and administration. I've always had a strong work ethic. I graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA and repeated this success throughout my four years of college."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
12. What steps do you take to address an underperforming operation in your region?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to determine if you can effectively communicate and address issues in the workplace in a functional manner. How one delivers constructive feedback can motivate or be a detriment to morale, depending on its messaging.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Objectify the situation, not the individuals involved, and describe how you fostered their strengths and enhanced the functionality of the team. Promote their strengths rather than exploit their weaknesses. They're your team. Focus on how you foster collaboration. Steer away from hard-line approaches. Avoid examples of micro-managing as well. Be universal in your approach.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I analyze all key performance indicators daily and check-in with those stores that have any red flags. I start with a friendly, personal check-in. Then I ask what they're working on and how they're progressing. I offer praise where appropriate and then offer suggestions when I feel they are needed. It's all about teamwork, meeting or exceeding our targets, and maintaining morale and innovation. If I'll visit the store, I'll take that manager out to lunch, get a full picture of their numbers, and proceed accordingly with an action plan with clear deliverables."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
13. How would you increase the productivity of our operations?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This interview question is commonly designed to find out how well you work with others. They're looking to get a sense of your communication skills, and your inclination towards supporting and working as part of a team. Telling someone to do something, without explaining why, without defining the endgame, will result in confused messaging, resulting in a lower standard of work, and increasing rework and project costs. Explaining to the entire team the course directly from the onset, detailing every part which each team member is responsible for, and the stakes involved brings every team member into the fold. This motivates your team by providing them with an investment in the joint success of the team effort. In the end, this provides each member with a feeling of pride in the work they'll deliver. Setting clear goals, deadlines, and expectations for each person demonstrates effective leadership. It eliminates speculation and the kind of dissent which stems from a lack of trust. Therefore, clear and decisive communication is integral to effective leadership.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Think about your coaching style and the benefits you feel it offers. Morale is a great determiner of productivity. The ability to promote a team's strengths is integral to effective coaching. Demonstrate that you lead by example, delivering effective and clear communication at every turn. Detail the methods you used to motivate those on your team. Truly understanding what your core values are can assist you in aligning your philosophy with theirs. It's all in the messaging. Meditate on who you are as a person, establishing your own core values, and define the traits of your personality which others respond most positively to. Your answer to this question will offer the interviewer a glimpse of your coaching style and how you'll foster growth.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I check quality in my work first, then implement procedures which increase the quantity without sacrificing quality. So whenever I finish my onboarding, I get started on analyzing what I've learned and finding methods to improve my workflow and productivity. Once I feel I've done so, I'll share my method, and implement it as broadly as I can. In my last job, this led to several improved systems the entire district adopted, which increased our productivity threefold."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
14. What can you do for Walgreens that other candidates can’t?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is curious what kind of pitch you'd throw their way. It also evaluates how above and beyond you've gone in researching the position, and how well you've been paying attention to the other interview questions in this set. They want to know if you know what sets you apart from the other candidates competing for this opportunity.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
This is an excellent opportunity to boast about your unique accomplishments, going deeper into what you brought to your previous teams, and what you would deliver to theirs. Think about your successes, the positive energy you'd bring, and the positive comments your coworkers have mentioned about you in the past. Speak confidently about your successes, make relaxed eye contact, and posture yourself with positive, engaging, and confident body language.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've been described by several employers and coworkers as an outstanding manager, and an outstanding performer. Some people have a cup either half empty or half full, but my cup overflows. Beyond my hard skills, I have outstanding project and time management skills, am results-driven to the core, I'm an excellent communicator, and have a consistently positive attitude. Any time I've transferred to a new district, there's a waiting list for those who request to follow me there."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
15. How would your past experience translate into success in this job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They're interested in how your relevant work experience translates to the position you are competing for. They want to know how you view the big picture and how you scale your sense of accomplishment and incremental successes toward the ultimate goal. How you answer will also give them insight into your motivators. They're also curious about how you measure your productivity against the daily work you perform, as well as your work style and approach.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Break down what success means to you across all fronts' short-term goals, long-term goals, the big picture, and how to get there while protecting the company's assets. Tell the interviewer how you view success through this lens and be sure to mention the success you plan to bring to this position should they should offer you the role. Consider your personality. There can be more than one answer to this question. Speak from the heart. Telling them what you think they want to hear will come across as disingenuous, and more often than not, can be spotted from a mile away. Effectively communicating how you weigh success in your interview could lead to being placed in a position more suited to your personality and skills. Morale is a great determiner of productivity. Answer honestly and consider what motivates you to be successful in your desired work environment.
Talk about the tools and resources you used to plan your work and stay organized on the job. Exhibit strong time-management skills, and your standards for prioritizing your work. Multitasking is challenging for most people. How you track your progress and pick up where you left off on a task is worth mentioning as well.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"Well, my contributions to the success of my district are all translatable. I have an outstanding track record for implementing systems with a proven success rate for my teams. All the key performance indicators back my claims."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
16. Tell me about your favorite and least favorite Walgreens products.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
A company often has an expectation of its employees to embrace and embody its brand. So this question has a dual purpose. One is to determine your brand loyalty, and two serves as a personality assessment, in trying to unravel what product of theirs you cannot live without, and what that says about your personality.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Spend some time reflecting on the products that you are familiar with. With your favorite, list how it's earned your product loyalty. For your least favorite, don't suggest the product is a poor product, but rather that it simply isn't right for you.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have seasonal allergies, and nothing sets me right better than 24 hr Walzyr. All other allergy meds make me drowsy or cranky, but Walzyr simply makes my allergies go away without any side effects. But Walgreens' brand of melatonin sadly does nothing for me. My spouse swears by it, but for some reason, it has no effect on me. Wish it did. For now, I'll stick to chamomile tea before bed."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Discovery
17. Tell me about a project you worked on that required heavy analytical thinking.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is probing for the various ways you handle your work with diligence and accuracy. How you answer will clue them in to the level of your skills in your given field.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Recognize the importance of this question, offering your insights and field expertise in this regard. Items you want to touch on in your answer are your organization skills, your methodology or approach to project management, your attention to detail, and the standard you set for your own work. This will come down to a combination of technical skills and aligning all the necessary facts and figures to a conclusive result. Support your claim with a real-life example. If this is one of your strengths, offer examples of how your attention to detail benefitted the team. You have an opportunity to convince them you're the best candidate for this job. Seize it.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"We were outsourcing our billing. Our aging accounts were growing. I was spending a lot of payroll hours following up with our divisions, trying to clean up these accounts. After a while, I suggested we bring our billing in-house, where we'll better be able to identify and respond to these accounts and clean them up immediately instead of letting them continue to pile up. Bringing these operations in-house versus outsourcing them ending up saving us $42,000 in annual revenue."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
General
18. Describe the difference between working hard versus working smart.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
By determining your familiarity with this concept, they can ascertain your work experience and fitness for the role. They are also looking for insights into your work style and ethic. Putting in hard work can equate to putting in long and taxing hours. Working smart exemplifies your ability to prioritize, organize, and effectively manage your time and strategize how to complete a project or any given task or agenda. This question sheds light on your grasp of the difference between the two.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Recognize the importance of this question, offering your insights and field expertise in this regard. Acknowledge the time and place for working hard versus working smart, and how they play into your leadership skills. Often when working smarter, the hard work you'd otherwise put in is cut in half, lightening your workload and contributing to effective time management.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"One should always do both. They're not mutually exclusive either. I start every job, by working hard and evaluating where there is room for improvement. Once I get the hang of something I'll evaluate how I can kaizen an opportunity. First, focus on quality, then quantity. By the end, it should take me less effort to produce the same quality output in a fraction of the time."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Leadership
19. Tell me about a time that you had to drive a change that nobody else liked.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Policies often come into play throughout the growth of a company. Change can be challenging for many. Those not in leadership roles form opinions and assumptions based solely on the scope of their lens. This question is geared towards ascertaining your approach to supporting your employers. This question seeks to understand how you deal with and adapt to change and how you foster growth in a workplace. This will also evaluate the scope of your emotional maturity.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Provide an example of a situation in which you faced such a challenge. Explain how your course of action created positive insights toward the bigger picture and the end goal. You want to come across as a supporting influence for your employer where a meeting of the minds was reached. Respecting the chain of command and respectfully working to get your teams to share in your understanding of the company's vision is the goal here.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"All too often, policies come down from above and their nature or purpose is mysterious or vague. Especially when it is some form of rebranding, it raises concerns there's some sort of restructuring coming along, and the common over-reaction is that their job security is being threatened. But every company has an image and a brand, and when things aren't working, rebranding happens. But these moves are often, by default, unpopular, especially when the company neglects to communicate why the policy needed to be implemented. Without fail, I incessantly ask the kinds of questions of my superiors that give me an understanding of why a policy is implemented or enforced. So, yes, there have been many occasions I've found myself supporting an unpopular company policy, and I probe for what is on a need-to-know basis, and what is free to be publicly disclosed. When permitted, I choose transparency. I coach that messaging to my teams, so they can educate their employees on the whys of such things."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Leadership
20. Give me an example of when you were in charge of a team's performance and drove the success of the company as a whole.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question delves into your concept of teamwork. Teamwork is an important aspect of this role. Frequently, those striving for an upper management position are singularly focused on their own ambition and goals. There may be times this is unavoidable, which is why the purpose of this question is to assess how well you work and collaborate with others. This question is designed to gauge how aligned your approach and philosophy are with that of Walgreens.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
There is a saying that attitude is more important than facts, the past, a person's education, money, circumstances, failures, and successes. It is also more important than what other people think, say, or do. It's more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. And that it will make or break a company or home. The only thing we can do is play the one thing we have, and that's our attitude. In a team environment, the right attitude can go a long way. Focus on the collaboration involved in teamwork. The old adage, "There is no 'I' in team," should be driven home in your answer. Treating the members of your teams with dignity, respect, and recognizing and rewarding their efforts is paramount.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"Our company had an 'opportunity buy' for a great product. This was a one-time featured product. It was our aim to push this item and boost our sales company-wide. The product was underperforming. I stepped in and identified a missed opportunity in the display and branding of this item. By reinventing the display and the branding of our signage, our region sold out. Soon we requested more of the product from our other regions. At first, they were happy to unload it until they studied what we were doing and borrowed our methods. Within a week, the item was out of stock and I gained the attention of our super-regional manager, who expressed gratitude for my hard work."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Leadership
21. Tell me about a time when you had to manage a diverse team.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants insight into your style of leadership and how you overcome challenges and motivate your team. This will help them evaluate how compatible your leadership style would be with their work culture and environment. They're interested in learning more about how you approach your work. Striving towards a vision and greater success by prioritizing the team displays big-picture thinking. By contributing to the greater success of the company and the team, one contributes to their individual success and development.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Break down what leading a team means to you, from assembling a team to motivating them and ensuring all deadlines are met. Stay positive, and share your philosophy in a way you feel will complement what you've learned about the company. When possible, incorporate the company's keywords and core values in your answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"At one point, I managed a store in a very diverse neighborhood. That was a pretty exciting experience in that everyone from different walks of life worked under one roof. It was probably the most dynamic and innovative crew I've ever worked with. Everything was outside of the box. We were a pretty great team. I still swing by and take the time to say hello when I'm in the area."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Leadership
22. How would you describe your leadership style and why do you feel it is the best approach for this role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants insight into your style of leadership and how you overcome challenges while motivating your team. Additionally, how you answer this question will help them evaluate your approach and ability to identify the benefits and drawbacks of each of the five leadership personality styles; authoritarian, participative, delegative, transactional, and transformational.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Think about the leadership style which inspires or motivates you most. Whether inspiring innovation in others by assigning tasks equitably, based on skill, preference, or randomly, determine which approach you've found most effective and speak to its merits. Also consider the core values that apply: "trust, partnership, integrity, honesty, and quality care." Take all of this into consideration before formulating your answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'd say I am an influencer and a transformational leader. Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a person leadership skills and they'll lead for life. I've been told I am a great coach and motivator, and I think that's partly due to my approach, where I treat everyone equally, working in partnership with my teams with honesty, and integrity, earning their trust by showing I care."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Leadership
23. In your opinion, what is the most important quality of a district manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Prioritizing the ultimate success of the team displays big-picture thinking. By contributing to the greater success of the company and the team, one is contributing to their individual success and development.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
You want to market yourself as a desirable asset. Exhibiting the qualities of a leader while embracing their core values goes a long way towards affirming your value to their organization.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think communication is the most important quality, which ensures I can humbly serve my staff, ensure they have all the right training and messaging necessary, as well as the basic tools (information) to do their job. The better I am at ensuring they have everything they need to do the job right and do it well, will contribute to their success, delivering a rewarding experience, and that's a success only then I can share in. If I've done all that, I can trust they're gonna hit the mark, or at least hit a mark that is close enough that can we can both continue to learn and foster growth in the right direction."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Leadership
24. How do you motivate your subordinates?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know if you are aware of the need to lead by example. How you answer will help them determine whether you lead strictly by delegating, or occasionally working side by side with your teams when you can afford to. Those who lead by 'do as I say, not as I do' can contribute to a toxic work environment. This can lead to dissent, decreased productivity, complaints, and a lot of extra work for HR and their legal department.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
There will always be leaders who abuse their position of authority. It's on you to explain how you work in the interest of all involved parties. For a district manager, the need to delegate and oversee operations often overshadows the luxury of getting your hands dirty and working side by side with your teams. It is important to acknowledge the greater needs of situational management.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I take the time to check in, not just on how well they are performing, but to see how things are going in their personal life as well. Human connection is important when earning trust. It also makes you more approachable, which helps you keep your ears to the ground. I think it's important to keep checking in on where my employees are at in their work/life balance. I think it is equally important to make sure they receive praise and constructive feedback promptly, often, and specific with actionable steps. I want to make sure everyone's growth is self-evident, and that I offer help where ever I can provide it with clear and transparent goals."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Operational
25. How would you ensure productivity across multiple stores?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your answer to this question will offer the interviewer a glimpse into your leadership style. They want to know how your interpersonal skills will complement their team. They'll need every confidence you're the right person for the job before they consider hiring you.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Think about your leadership style. Determine your approach and speak to its merits. Describe the methods you used to incentivize. The ability to promote a team member's strengths and avert exploiting weaknesses is integral to effective leadership. Their performance is a reflection of yours. An employee that has a general sense of accomplishment will be more effective at their job. Be universal in your approach, especially since there is no way of knowing the management style you'll be expected to use until you're onboarded.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'd analyze their performance daily, scrutinizing all KPIs, and check-in with those stores that have any red flags. I start with a friendly, personal check-in. Then I ask what they're working on and how they're progressing. I'd offer praise where appropriate and then offer suggestions when I feel they are needed. It's all about teamwork, meeting or exceeding our targets, and maintaining high morale and innovation. I'll visit the store, take that manager out to lunch, get a full picture of their numbers, and proceed accordingly with an action plan."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Operational
26. How do you keep track of daily operations across a region and ensure issues are dealt with promptly?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know your experience, motivators, and what you look for when growing and developing your team. They'll evaluate how effective your approach seems. They're curious how your process holds up, and if you're thorough, consistent, and up to the tasks ahead. Prioritizing tasks based on the big picture instead of short-term goals, level of importance, and urgency is a skill. This question is about your organizational and time management skills. Accuracy is a critical part of the daily activities of any job. How well you produce error-free, high-quality work within given timeframes will be evaluated based on your attention to detail, adaptability, and flexibility.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
As a district manager at Walgreens, your critical analysis skill will be used to help identify the missed opportunities and growth potentials of your region's stores. Prior to your interview, think about your translatable experiences in data collection, analysis, and communication.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'll take full advantage of whatever tools I have at my disposal to monitor our KPIs. Any identified red flags I'll markup and prioritize by reaching out to that store manager and performing a check. I'll contrast their explanation with the numbers and then visit that store promptly to look over their location and those numbers in person. From there I'll have some conversations with their crew and proceed accordingly based on what I undercover. My approach is gentle, encouraging, transparent, and firm in my position or course of action. Basically, I'll take full advantage of all the resources I have at my disposal, do a bit of sleuthing, and then react once I have everything I needed to chart my course."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Scenario
27. Tell us how you would handle an employee who has been caught stealing.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They want to ensure you will act accordingly to the company's policy and reputation. Such matters should be handled swiftly in confidence, in accordance with safety and legal guidelines, without bringing it to the attention of non-managerial subordinates or customers.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Display your integrity and discretion. Abide by all human resources best practices for such a situation. Ensure your conduct is professional, and wouldn't create any legal concerns or embarrassment for the company.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"Depending on the circumstance, I would observe, collect evidence, pull their managers aside, and deal with it discreetly. I'd make sure they were pulled aside into a private location away from eyes and ears. I'd recruit others to gather their things and have them escorted off the property. Regarding any other actions, I would follow the company's policy accordingly. The last time I encountered this, the employee was asked to return the product and was fired. We also Eighty-Sixed them from all our stores and mailed their last paycheck. No charges were pressed, in accordance with our company policy."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Situational
28. How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This behavioral question will offer a meaningful glimpse into what you consider a conflict and how you confront it. It aims to gauge your problem-solving skills and general perception or attitude, your personality, as well as your soft skills. They're aiming to get a glimpse of your mediation and negotiation skills. The interviewer needs to know how adept and effective you are at diplomacy and working swiftly towards a communal end goal. They are also curious if you strive to preserve the peace, and exhibit respect for your subordinates. Their ideal candidate will exhibit leadership skills by readily stepping outside of their comfort zone while exhibiting a high EQ (emotional intelligence).
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
It is worth considering how the question is phrased. A conflict at work could indicate a conflict between yourself and another employee or a time you exhibited strong leadership skills to resolve a dispute between two other members of the team. It could also mean you had a personal conflict of interest. In your answer, exhibit grounded decision-making and integrity. Explain the obstacles and the source of the conflict. Provide details as to how long it took to resolve, and the steps you took to ensure this situation wasn't repeated.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I was working at a store in my district when a former employee who was disgruntled showed up drunk and belligerent, trying to stir things up. I was grateful I was there and stepped in. This employee recognized me and started pleading with their case, badmouthing the manager whose decision to let this employee go I had supported. It was unfortunate. I knew the guy and liked him for my part. In the past, he was friendly, and we had a rapport anytime I visited that store, and had our own banter. But they let him go. I supported their decision, and he came back drunk and wasn't himself that day. I wanted to escort him off the premises. He tried to slip past me twice, but I barred his way and escorted him out. It was easy to do so without making physical contact. Once outside and away from our customers and staff, I objectively broke down how they were making their situation worse, and that this behavior wasn't a good look. I told them to go home, sober up, and reflect on how their behavior was part of the problem that got them fired. They were Eighty-Sixed from the store, and that was that."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Situational
29. What was the most difficult situation you have had to handle?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They're interested in how you'll interpret this ambiguous question and what your answer might reveal about your personality and work ethic. It also aims to reveal what kind of situations you find stressful. Someone who consistently keeps calm under pressure is an asset.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Exhibit your leadership skills by offering how you keep calm under pressure. Exemplify emotional maturity by acknowledging that we face stressful situations every day, and highlight your ability to take such situations in stride. Having a positive attitude can go a long way in demonstrating the ability to lead by example and foster a positive work environment.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had a family emergency arise in the middle of a project I'd taken on. The emergency required me to leave town. So I had to inform my management that I was going to be unavailable for a few days. This required creating some very clear objectives and goals that I needed my managers to achieve in order to not create a performance gap in my absence, and that was hard for me to do, to let go of the reins, that is. I did everything I could to manage things proactively. It was a success, my absence did not interrupt our projected goals, but I still had trouble letting go, and hated the idea of abandoning the team."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Situational
30. Tell me about a time you identified a problem and how you fixed it.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer hopes to ascertain whether you take ownership of your mistakes and setbacks and learn from them or deflect blame, repeating the same errors, making you difficult to work with.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Choose your reasons and words wisely. How you reacted should be in the best interest of the company. Owning your mistake shows character and integrity. Use examples that reveal your ability to adapt, detailing how quickly you reacted and the logic behind your course of action. Avoid examples that reflect poorly on your performance. Describe the situation, the obstacle, and how you ultimately overcame it. Providing examples where you dealt with disappointment is fine. How you deal with disappointment should be the point of your answer. But this is also an opportunity to show yourself as a half-glass-full person, by sharing an example of a project that worked out better than you had planned.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"There were discrepancies in our inventory results. Theft seemed like an unlikely cause for the shrinkage. Speculations and rumors were spreading like a fire. While reviewing our retail stock ledgers from the last six months and comparing them with our manifests, quite an undertaking, I realized our receiving clerk was just signing off on our shipments without monitoring the exceptions and discrepancies. We addressed the issue, and our next inventory came in within an acceptable range."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 16th, 2022