25 Management Interview Questions & Answers
1. How do you evaluate success among your team members?
How to Answer
There are many ways that you, as a manager, can measure the success of your employees. Of course, you understand that it's important to track the performance of your team members. Tracking certain metrics can help you understand where to give praise, what areas to provide additional training, and which team members you may need to put on an individual performance plan. You will want to remain aware of the level of success that each team member is experiencing. One under-performing team player can drag down the entire group. Talk to the interviewer about how you can stay aware of each team members' success.
Answer Example
"I have a very in-depth and successful system for evaluating success among my team members. I check in twice per week with each member of my team. On Mondays - to set our goals together. Then, on Fridays, to discuss any successes and challenges. I have them self-evaluate, and then we create a plan for success for the upcoming week. I evaluate their success based on their follow-through and willingness to work hard to reach their goals."
Admin
"Formally, I measure attendance, customer satisfaction, and productivity through our HRIS system. I also know my team members are successful when we have a harmonious work environment. In our administration department, we work in a close environment where everyone must succeed. I often see team members being helpful to others and offering their ideas to make work more efficient. It's clear that when the work environment remains collaborative, my team members successfully reach their targets and fulfill their tasks."
Manager
"I have key performance indicators laid out to measure the success of each team member based on their individual role. I also assess metrics such as how well they work with others, how much effort they put in with our clients, and track attendance which quickly shows me who is engaged in their work and who is not headed for a successful outcome. Right now, my team is meeting or exceeding KPIs and teamwork expectations in most areas, and I believe this is due to careful and regular assessment of these metrics."
Marketing
"I believe in the importance of taking a 360 view of each team member's activities to measure their success. I evaluate client feedback, deadlines met, and overall attendance. I also consider each team member's level of involvement, helpfulness, initiative, and enthusiasm. These factors tell me if each team member is performing to the best of their ability, or if they require additional motivation, one-on-one time with me, or even a clearer performance plan."
Retail
"As a Retail Sales Manager for a store that is open from 9 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week, I'm not always physically in the store to watch over my team. This is why I must have metrics in place to measure the team's success and efficiency. I've put overall department metrics in place for each team and communicate individual sales targets for each associate. These targets help me assess where we are trending for the week, month, quarter, and year. I run a daily report of sales activity to see that every member is performing to expectations. Additionally, I consider the time spent performing non-revenue generating activities like merchandising and customer service, which are significant aspects to reaching our store's revenue goals. Also, I have specific targets for customer satisfaction surveys. If any team member is falling short, we are quick to have a meeting to get back on track and evaluate ways to remove barriers to our success."
Sales
"I communicate clear expectations for each member of our sales team. I take our sales quotas and spread them across smaller, achievable daily milestones. To help our team meet and exceed sales goals, I also measure activities such as client calls made, appointments set, and referral percentages. Every Monday morning, I hold a sales meeting to go over everyone's wins and review sales numbers and other metrics from the previous week. This approach challenges my team members to perform, and it promotes transparency in their activities and the level of output. This group-based accountability especially motivates my top performers."
Teacher
"As a Vice Principal, I evaluate success in students not by their overall grades per se, but by their rate of improvement. Our school also uses tools to measure fluency in various subjects, a more formal testing measure. As I walk the halls, I look for a productive sounding buzz from the classrooms, which tells me that student engagement levels are high. I look for mutual respect amongst faculty and our administration, and I also consider community and parent engagement levels. Overall, if we are all doing a great job as educators and mentors, the culture in the school will feel positive, and our students will be making strides in their learning."
User-Submitted Answer
"I evaluate success by how well and efficiently the team is working. Making sure the team members are first confident in performing all aspects of their job, their metrics are in good standing, and if they're comfortable with communicating with me."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Fantastic response. These are strong indicators of performance/success.
2. What has made you ready for the responsibility of managing others?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you feel ready for the responsibility of management. Discuss the effort you have put in to prepare you for this management opportunity. There are a few ways that a hiring company can assess if you are ready to take on a management position, including:
- You have a pattern of generating positive results for yourself, your team, and your employer.
- Your work relationships are positive and generally conflict-free.
- You know how to handle yourself professionally when conflict arises.
- You enjoy teaching, coaching, and mentoring others.
- You have taken the lead at work without being in an official leadership job title.
- Co-workers often come to you for help and advice when they are facing a roadblock.
Answer Example
"First, I take continued education seriously and have spent the past eight months reading leadership books such as 'Good to Great' and 'Dare to Lead.' I recently completed an 8-week online leadership program through Oxford, which helped me develop a practical leadership framework. Even when I am not in an official leadership position, my co-workers come to me for advice and assistance. I thoroughly enjoy coaching others and leading my team members to success. I have never felt more ready to take on the responsibility of leading a team and am thankful for the opportunity to discuss this management opportunity with you today."
Admin
"I am confident and prepared to take on a management role. Over the past two years, I have trained numerous administrative assistants. My leaders often recognize my natural ability to guide others. They recently asked me to help our VP by training her new executive assistant on internal processes. I put a lot of pride in my work and train others to do the same."
Manager
"Quickly after joining my current company, I was promoted to Assistant Production Manager. I was identified as a high potential employee by my shift manager, and they put me on a career development plan to help me achieve my goal of becoming a manager. I took on challenging tasks and projects and continued my training by attending workshops and taking online courses to improve my leadership and communication skills. I have learned how to take constructive criticism and implement feedback, and I can do so for others. For four years, I have held this role in a high-stress manufacturing environment with a diverse range of team members who are motivated differently. I believe this experience uniquely equips me to excel in this Production Manager role, and I look forward to proving this at every opportunity."
Marketing
"I have eight years of experience working with a smaller marketing agency where instead of a traditional hierarchical environment, we all took accountability for the success of a project. This means managing my own time very carefully while also encouraging my co-workers to reach the finish line and deliver their best work. I stepped up as a leader every day, helping my co-workers solve problems and find answers to roadblocks they were facing. Now, I am ready to take on an official leadership position where I am responsible for my team's workflow, as well as motivating them to be as productive and creative as possible."
Retail
"I have worked in a retail environment since high school, totaling three years of experience in sales and service. Specifically, I have been an associate and a keyholder. I understand that Company ABC's shoe department is the second-largest department in the store. Before coming into my interview, I came here as a shopper and visited the shoe department to purchase a new pair of sneakers. It was clear that the department struggles with customer service. In my current role, although I did not hold an official management title, my managers saw me as a leader. They often put me to work mentoring other associates who needed motivation. I am prepared to come in as a manager, get to know the team, re-motivate them to be present at work, and boost the customer service experience."
Sales
"I have invested in my leadership skill set by immersing myself in continued training and education opportunities through EdX. Recently, I completed Foundational Principles of Leadership, a course offered by Harvard University. The curriculum focused on identifying and unpacking complex challenges, building relationships, and approaching conflict like a leader. Thanks to this coursework, I have the right foundation to take on my first management position. I applied to this position feeling highly equipped to take on the responsibility of leading people and projects."
Teacher
"For five years, I have successfully managed a classroom of 25 students in a public school setting, which has prepared me for the responsibility of managing a smaller, more hands-on classroom environment at Private School ABC. I have researched and learned many classroom management techniques from leading educators. These techniques include involving students in establishing guidelines rather than just telling them what they can and cannot do. I show mutual respect, and I offer praise often. I am confident in my ability to command attention in this highly discerning environment."
User-Submitted Answer
"My entire career has been working to solve customers' concerns, and in each new role, I have taken on more responsibility to challenge myself and grow as a leader. In these positions, I have worked on quality and process improvement. I oversaw technical support to over 7500 dealers and instilled a team attitude of doing what needs to be done to get the customer taken care of."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Kevin Downey Reviewed the Above Answer
Taking on more responsibility, challenging yourself, and taking on leadership tasks are a great start, and definately the signs of being a clutch-player. However, that alone doesn't convey you have the communication skills, the time management or project management skills to navigate the nuanced terrain of being in a management position. Take your answer a step further by providing specifics to your claims of challenging yourself and growing as a leader. What did your experience with quality and process improvement lend to your leadership skills?
"“In my lengthy career, working directly with our customer to resolve their concerns and issues, I’ve continually enhanced and adapted systems to always deliver an above and beyond experience. Whether I was leading a team or not, I’ve always led by example, setting the pace and the high standard of over-delivering. I’ve expanded the boundaries of my comfort zone again and again by taking on any and all responsibilities that challenge myself and aid in my growth as a leader. In the positions I’ve held, I’ve improved our output in both quality and quality. I oversaw technical support to over 7500 dealers and instilled a team attitude of exceeding expectations and delivering an unparalleled WOW customer experience. These, among many other reasons, have rendered me to confidence that I am wholly prepared to take the lead.”"
3. What characteristics contribute to your success as a leader?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know the characteristics that contribute to your leadership abilities. Think about the qualities and lessons you lean on when you face a challenge in the workplace. Perhaps you have the ability to self-manage. Maybe you keep a positive outlook during challenging times. Perhaps you overcame a significant roadblock in your career, teaching you the value of persistence.
Share with the interviewer which factors you believe have led you to your success as a manager. If you have a story to share, this question presents a great opportunity to weave in a real-life example highlighting your leadership capabilities.
Answer Example
"I had an excellent mentor from a young age. This situation was key in developing a strong foundation of confidence and natural leadership. Also, I have wholeheartedly embraced personal accountability. I believe that genuine leaders and managers who can make an impact are people who hold themselves accountable for errors, and they are not shy to ask the same of others. As a result, I have learned to trust my decisions and remain responsible for the choices that I make."
Admin
"Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work closely with the CEO of a fast-paced organization. I gained exposure to a wide variety of best business practices that shaped who I am as a professional Admin Assistant today. Some of the characteristics and habits I was able to develop include dealing with ambiguity in complex work environments, being flexible in how goals are reached, and creating lasting relationships with co-workers, leaders, and clients."
Manager
"My leadership philosophy is to act as a partner to any business and team that I support. This passion for making the right choice and leading by example has helped me see much success as a leader. I guide others with empathy, an approach that has helped me to achieve the lowest employee turnover rate in our company's history. By gently coaching others to improve and acting as a resource for anyone that needs help, I have been able to celebrate exciting leadership wins throughout my career."
Marketing
"I love to set specific goals, and I do not stop until I achieve them. This quality requires self-confidence, and this confidence influences my team members at the same time. I bring a lot of enthusiasm to my work which naturally makes others want to do the same. Even when circumstances seem very trying, I keep pushing and trusting that our hard work will pay off. I have led several teams ranging from 5 to 150 direct reports, so I have evidence that my approach is effective in small and large teams. I am confident in my ability to produce and nurture a happy and efficient team, and I look forward to expanding my leadership experiences with your organization."
Retail
"In school, I was the go-to person on team projects and the person that would reach out to new students. I was Captain of my high school's tennis team, where I began learning what true leadership meant. I often received accolades from teachers and professors for exhibiting excellent character and citizenship throughout grade school and into my post-secondary education. I have carried these qualities into my adult life and showcase my leadership abilities by motivating team members, offering to help when I have the chance, and taking accountability for my work at all times."
Sales
"I have performed as a leader for as long as I can remember. For instance, I was often the person to organize and steer group projects in high school. You could often find me organizing neighborhood activities like street hockey games. I have always wanted others to feel they could rely on me, both in school and professionally. To achieve this level of trust, I often take on a larger workload to help my team. I focus on exceeding my targets which sets a positive example for my co-workers, and I am eager to do the same with Company ABC."
Teacher
"I was raised to be an empathetic and emotionally present individual. Now, I encourage the same qualities in my students. The way I was raised worked to shape me as a caring and attentive teacher who can take the lead in a classroom while encouraging enthusiastic participation from my students."
User-Submitted Answer
"Be passionate about my job and commitment to deliver. Build credibility by asking the right questions and presenting a sound recommendation, remaining respectful and fair toward individuals. Don't shy away from giving feedback or expressing an opinion. Taking a bold decision when needed. I want to be seen as fair, bold/courageous and decisive."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Awesome! It seems you have many excellent characteristics that have helped you to succeed along the way.
4. What personality traits do you look for in people you are hiring?
How to Answer
If this management position requires you to attract new talent and make hiring decisions, you must know how to make a good hire! The interviewer wants to know which qualities you value the most when hiring new team members.
Many people will respond to this question by saying they look for a 'positive personality' or candidates who are 'honest' and 'enthusiastic.' Challenge yourself to stand apart from the rest by providing a more thoughtful answer. Show the interviewer that you understand which qualities would work best for their organizational values and company mission.
Answer Example
"When I am hiring, I look for individuals with grit and drive. People who have a record of fighting through tough times rather than giving up tend to be the best employees. They are usually loyal and often willing to go the extra mile without being asked."
Admin
"Administration work is often done solo; however, it also requires collaborating with other departments, sharing ideas, and supporting leaders. When hiring new administrative candidates, I look for evidence they are self-driven while also being collaborative."
Manager
"I look at experience and qualifications, of course; however, most of all, I seek relational competence. Relational competence is summed up by the 'set of traits that allow people to interact with each other effectively.' I must look for someone with the personality to fit in and thrive in a fast-paced environment."
Marketing
"I look for employees that are versatile, able to adapt, and can find direction in an ambiguous work environment. Marketing is fast-paced, and any candidate I choose must keep up, even when rules are not clear. They should also be creative and willing to take calculated risks. When I interview candidates, I ask for evidence of these traits in the form of previous accomplishments and story-based responses."
Retail
"It's important to look for a few key characteristics such as being a helpful person and possessing an upbeat disposition, especially in a customer-service driven role. I also look for a candidate's drive to go after their own goals. If a candidate is determined, easy to hold a conversation with, and likable, they are most likely to thrive in a retail environment."
Sales
"When adding to my team, I look for passionate, dedicated people who are ambitious and driven to win. I believe these characteristics are essential for sales success. I also look for someone who knows how to get what they want without burning bridges in the process, an essential skill for working in a competitive environment."
Teacher
"I have never been in a position of hiring teachers; however, I can tell you the characteristics I look for when I need to choose a substitute teacher. I look for someone reliable who communicates promptly and has the flexibility to connect with my students. A teacher who can take direction but also generates ideas of their own is one I would choose to run my classroom in my absence."
User-Submitted Answer
"positive, work ethics and honesty, Team player, result-oriented, coachable"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good start! Next, can you explain why you believe these personality traits to be so important? How would these personality traits fit in with the hiring company? Lastly, do you possess these traits yourself? Be sure to address all points in your response.
5. What would you do if an employee was not meeting their goals?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know how you work with under-performing employees. Be ready to provide details of your approach to handling employees who are not meeting targets or company expectations. Provide details of your management style and, if you have a real-life example, consider weaving a story into your response.
Answer Example
"If an employee is not meeting their goals, I will sit down with them one-on-one and ask them why they feel they are missing their targets. It's important that I listen and hear from their perspective why they are struggling. Together, we will review their performance statistics. A detailed review of their performance history is often constructive because it can reveal patterns and awaken the employee using evidence versus speculation. If the employee is receptive to it, I will develop an Individual Performance Plan with them and review their progress once per week until they show consistently acceptable improvement."
Admin
"If an employee were not meeting their goals, I would take an empathetic approach by taking them out for coffee and asking what I can do to support them in the workplace. If there were a recent example of their work falling short, I would refer to it to start the conversation. From there, I would help the employee to set clear goals while offering tips and tricks for increased productivity."
Manager
"Individual coaching is a large component of my role as a manager. I will find out what has been preventing my associate from meeting their goals and work with them to overcome those challenges. Perhaps something is going on outside of work, or they did not receive training to be properly equipped to exceed their goals. Once we identify the core roadblocks, we can formulate a plan to get the associate back on track."
Marketing
"When one person does not meet goals, it affects entire campaigns and project deadlines. For this reason, I hold a daily morning meeting to ensure everyone's deliverables are on time. If someone is not delivering the quality they normally do, I will ask them privately if something specific impacted their performance. I aim to have genuine conversations with my team members because their success is important to me, and it's what drives the entire team to achieve goals together."
Retail
"If someone on my team is not meeting expectations, we will have a chat before the situation becomes too damaging. I like to let the associate lead the conversation, so I will ask, 'Why do you think I asked for some of your time today?' Most of the time, the associate will open up about being disappointed for falling short of their goals. They will often offer suggestions on how they think they can improve, and we will create a performance plan with milestones and clear expectations from that point."
Sales
"I hold a sales meeting every Monday and Thursday, so it's immediately apparent if an employee's performance is slipping. We also have running scoreboards that update live sales stats, so we have a minute-by-minute update. Because our work environment is so competitive, I'm sure to connect one-on-one with every team member weekly. If their performance is not at its peak, we will get to the root of the issue together and make a few changes, such as provide additional training in an area where they are struggling. If that action is not enough to make a change, I will put the employee on an individual performance plan with clear goals and deadlines."
Teacher
"If a student were not meeting their goals, I would call a meeting with the student and their guardians. Depending on how severe the case was, I would also involve an administrative team member or the school Principal. I have a learning plan workbook for students to write down self-guided learning goals. Then, we review the goals and attach them to a timeline. This corrective approach has worked for my students for many years."
User-Submitted Answer
"My first response would be to make sure they understand their goal. Then I would like to figure out what they believe is preventing them from reaching their goal and what I can do to help remove that roadblock. Lastly, together we could come up with a plan to get back on track and meet the original goal or revised goal."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Superb plan! You sound like a highly engaged leader who is interested in developing their people.
6. How do you effectively delegate tasks to your employees?
How to Answer
Proper delegation is an important aspect of being an effective manager and leading a productive team. The interviewer wants to know more about your delegation style and how you choose which of your team members are responsible for which tasks. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to empower your team and correctly delegate tasks.
Answer Example
"To delegate tasks effectively, I first need to understand the knowledge and skills that each team member already possesses. I will always delegate to a person's strength and knowledge because it improves the use of resources and often reduces the time spent reaching the end goal. This delegation approach eliminates task resistance while promoting an effective and productive workplace."
Admin
"As a highly experienced Executive Assistant, most of my delegation comes in the form of training new EA's and other administrators. Recently, I spent time delegating to the new Executive Assistant to the VP. She is newer to her career and has not caught her footing quite yet. I want her to succeed, so I give her step-by-step instructions on what needs to happen next. She has greatly appreciated the help so far."
Manager
"Successful delegation is critical to our team-based results. I tap into my team's resources by discovering each employee's strengths and career aspirations. Then, I assign work that will complement these strengths. I will change these tasks around, so everyone has a fair workload and the ability to round out their skills and experience."
Marketing
"I would like to say that, for the most part, my team runs like a well-oiled machine, and I rarely need to delegate. When we take on a new project, we all gather, storyboard our ideas, and then plan for smooth execution of that plan. Everyone takes on the tasks they feel they are the strongest. At that point, should there be any remaining tasks, I will then delegate them to the people I feel would do the best job."
Retail
"In retail, there are some unglamorous responsibilities that many associates try to avoid, such as cleaning out the fitting rooms, but we all have to take our turn and pitch in. Everyone should be well-rounded in their tasks and abilities. I make sure that everyone gets assigned a variety of tasks each week. Everyone wants to be on the sales floor, hoping to make a commission, but we need to rotate the glory with the grunt work, too. This system means that I also have to clean out the fitting rooms, markdown items, or restock apparel. Everyone must lend a hand for the team to succeed."
Sales
"As a Sales Manager of three large teams, I have been responsible for taking the workload and dictating who will take on which task by region, and customer sector. It is important to recognize that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I like to identify each team members' existing knowledge base while also providing opportunities for the growth of new skills."
Teacher
"I delegate to my young students daily. I believe in leading by example, rather than giving orders, so my approach will be to say to my class, 'I think it's a great idea to keep our books in alphabetical order so that we can find them easier! Who is the best at their A, B, C's?' Of course, they all raise their hands. Then I can say, 'Wonderful! Alex, you take all the books that start with A. Jessica, you are in charge of the books that begin with B,' and so on. Delegating tasks then becomes a fun game for my students rather than a chore."
User-Submitted Answer
"For me to delegate tasks effectively, I need to know the strengths and weaknesses of my team members. This gives me the ability to give people jobs that will allow them to learn and grow as a person. Recently I gave a team member the task of creating instructions for creating a task in the salesforce application. I knew that he would be able to succeed since he can learn new technologies faster than others on my team."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It's great that you recognized this persons' strengths and gave them responsibilities according to their talents. How did it all turn out in the end?
7. What type of goals do you like to set for yourself and your team?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know more about your approach to goal-setting. What types of goals are you most keen on setting for your employees? Talk to the interviewer about the kinds of goals you find most important to ensure your team is successful.
Answer Example
"I put my team's goals into three categories: financial targets, client acquisition rates, and professional growth plans. Financial targets focus on their commercial sales targets for the quarter. Client acquisition rates are the number of new client relationships that they generate. Professional growth plans focus on growing their knowledge base and confidence in a business topic of their choice."
Admin
"I like to set goals related to current projects and future projects. It's important, as an administrator, not to remain focused solely on the tasks in front of our noses. We also need to prepare for shifts in the business that may occur in the short or long-term future."
Manager
"I set high goals for myself and my team and then work hard and smart to achieve them. I look at the overall business needs and align our department's goals to reach them. Then, I take into consideration the individual goals of our team members and account for them in our progress."
Marketing
"It's important to have goals that focus on the client, the company, and the employee. I have set the following goals for my team: the number of happy clients, company profits, and employee professional growth. Each week I sit down one on one with my team members to determine what personal growth plan they are putting into motion. Every morning, I meet with the team to choose a client we can make the happiest that day. Then, we choose one activity that will add to our company's bottom line."
Retail
"First and foremost, our sales goals are the most important. The next focus is repeat business and the tasks associated with acquiring and retaining these loyal customers, such as emails, calls, cards, and other touchpoints. Finally, development goals, which look different for each employee. Some are on track to become a manager or shift supervisor, while some are just using this as a job with hopes of doing something else eventually. Either way, I set personal metrics associated with their growth opportunities. These tasks could be anything from merchandising to scheduling or learning how to create the budget. We review each of these goals in a formal setting each month and quarter, with informal check-ins daily."
Sales
"My sales team has different metrics they aim to hit daily, to meet their weekly and monthly targets. Those include calls made, talk time, and appointments set. Those are just the incremental goals to get us to our targets. As far as big picture goals, I set our financial targets for individuals and the team as a whole, growth goals to make up for any potential deficits in their current role or prepare them for the next role. Finally, I like to work with the team to come up with a personal goal they're working on, whether it is for proficiency with a particular product or talking point or public speaking, and do check-ins to see how their project is going."
Teacher
"I set a variety of learning goals for myself and my students each week. Once I have outlined the learning focus, I will ask my students what they think we can accomplish in the week. They will usually surprise me and set ambitious goals, such as reading an entire book or memorizing their nine times tables. For myself, I love to read books on professional development for educators, so I will share my goal of reading three chapters per night, for instance. The students like to see that I have 'homework' too."
User-Submitted Answer
"I like to give my team small goals that they can complete in a short amount of time that will add up to a larger purpose. I find that this will keep more people motivated as they will continue to reach goals over and over, keeping them more engaged. As the leader of the team, I have to be more focused on the future and make sure what we are doing today will allow us to succeeded six months or a year down the road."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a fantastic approach to goal setting - well done! It seems you have a strong ability to look at the short and long-term picture simultaneously.
8. When have you made a mistake delegating tasks to your team members?
How to Answer
Being able to delegate to your team members effectively is an essential part of successful management. Talk to the interviewer about a time that you have appointed in error. Be sure to discuss how you repaired the mistake.
Answer Example
"Earlier in my career, I would delegate tasks at random, thinking that everyone had the skills to complete any company-related task. I found that these employees would procrastinate on these tasks if they seemed overwhelming or did not understand them. After a bit of time and some learning, I began to delegate based on my personality type and skill-set. This method proved to be much more effective, and I follow this delegation style to this day."
Admin
"I once delegated a team member to an urgent project without realizing their workload was already at maximum capacity. I should have rearranged their existing deadlines, equipping them to handle the urgent project with less stress. Now, when I need to re-work our team's workflow or priorities, I will take a careful look at existing workloads."
Manager
"Over-delegating was a common mistake I made when I was newer to my career. I was over my head in my job title and was not as confident in my abilities as I should have been. As a result, I was too focused on 'the how' rather than on the results. Today, I trust my team to control their methods and processes as much as possible. If I need to delegate, I always start by looking at individual strengths, interests, and existing knowledge base."
Marketing
"I have made the mistake of being unclear about the quality and expectations when delegating. This mistake resulted in poor work submissions, which caused me a great deal of time putting out fires. Now, I ensure that expectations are crystal clear when I delegate tasks and that each team member feels highly equipped to get the job done right. If they do not, I will make changes to the delegation plans and re-train my team once we have the room in our schedule."
Retail
"Initially, at Company XYZ, when I was not on shift, I delegated lighter managerial duties to the most tenured sales employees. Since these team members had the most experience, I believed they were the best equipped to help run the department in my absence. However, it soon became clear that neither was cut out for or interested in the administrative work that comes with management. I would come back to some bizarre reporting issues and would have to spend twice as much time undoing their work. I soon learned that it is not the employee's tenure that makes the best acting manager, but rather the person's interests, personality, and career goals."
Sales
"Earlier in my career, I incorrectly assumed that every team member had an interest in learning a broad range of business management skills. Each team member had adequate training in various areas, but many of the employees felt they were either ill-equipped for certain tasks or some tasks weren't in line with the skillset they wanted to improve. I began to ask each individual what they wanted to do, what they enjoyed the least, and what they wanted to know more about. This approach included playing to their existing strengths and knowledge base. I quickly saw this approach as a more efficient way to assign tasks while gaining stronger employee buy-in, accomplishing tasks with more efficiency, and ultimately generating better results."
Teacher
"When I was a new teacher, I did not always connect tasks to a clear outcome or goal. This error meant that many of my students failed to see the importance of the work assigned to them. Now, I make the connection for them as to why we are learning this lesson and why the homework is important to complete."
User-Submitted Answer
"Earlier in my career, I would take on as many tasks as possible because It was easier and faster to do the task myself. Later I realized that it was not the most cost-effective arrangement for the company as I only have 24/7, my employees did not get enough training, the whole team did not produce the maximum output. I now delegate to my teams' strengths and experience."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Ok, good start. You're discussing the value of delegation which is key, but do you have an example of delegating and the result not working out? What did you learn from the mistake? What steps have you taken to avoid a similar problem in the future?
9. How do you successfully motivate your team?
How to Answer
Motivated employees are productive employees. Talk to the interviewer about ensuring that your team is feeling motivated and being as productive as possible. You can successfully motivate a team by providing them with autonomy, showing interest in their ideas, and encouraging collaboration in the workplace.
Answer Example
"My formula for a motivated team is to get to know them, uncover what they are passionate about, and find out how they like to be recognized. If I can provide my team with proper recognition, tasks that they enjoy and feel they are good at - then they will perform as motivated employees."
Admin
"Motivating my team to do well is one of my greatest joys. I put incentives in place that recognize a job well done. At the same time, I do not punish failures. Everybody makes mistakes, so I focus on the lesson rather than the mistake. I encourage the individual to try again and use the situation as an opportunity to strengthen a related skill set."
Manager
"Every new team member completes a DISC assessment. I want to understand who they are and how they want to be motivated, praised, and coached. This assessment shows where they fall regarding four traits: dominance, influence, steadiness, compliance. The results help me understand them better as humans and how I can motivate them to be productive while ensuring their happiness on my team."
Marketing
"First, I motivate my team by being an example. I show excitement for new projects, find the best in all situations, and bring an infectiously good mood to the workplace. The right mood will set off a great creative environment."
Retail
"Sales contests resulting in a financial bonus or recognition are proven incentives for my team. I also delegate referred tasks to top performers, such as merchandising the mannequins rather than cleaning out the dressing rooms. If a team member wins a team challenge, they can choose which activity they get to do the rest of the day. These motivational approaches generate friendly competition and boost productivity."
Sales
"My sales team members are motivated by financial rewards and bonuses. For this reason, I often run sales contests with prizes, including gift cards, electronics, and cash bonuses. These challenges get my competitive team of salespeople excited and often give us the extra push needed to exceed our monthly targets. As a result, our sales team often lands in the top 3 of our company's leaderboard out of 25 teams."
Teacher
"I motivate my students by empowering them and giving them autonomy when it's appropriate. I empower them by encouraging participation but never forcing it. I frequently as for their input and ideas and praise every idea that they present. This approach makes my classroom feel like a community, and it fosters an open and healthy learning environment."
User-Submitted Answer
"To better help me motive my team, I have done what I call a core value exercise that causes them to pick their top 6, then top 4, then top 2 core values that they find to be most important to them. This allows me to adjust my approach to them when coaching opportunities come up by hitting on these values."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Very interesting approach! Can you cite a specific example of a time when this approach worked exceptionally well?
10. As a manager, how have you built successful teams in the past?
How to Answer
You know that proper teamwork is essential for your team to succeed. Accomplishing this takes careful planning and team member selection. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to build exceptional teams. Discuss the characteristics you look for when building an impactful team and your overall formula for success.
Answer Example
"I have built many successful teams throughout my management career. I have found that the most important factor is to create a personal connection with each team member and create a way for each one to feel a connection to our overall goal. When everyone feels invested in the result, they will be an active and involved part of the group, leading us all to success."
Admin
"I build successful teams by showing everyone that their ideas are welcome and valued. When people feel like important contributors, they are more likely to exceed expectations."
Manager
"I build successful teams by nurturing every team member to commit to their individual goals. I hire, train, and equip team members carefully and with purpose. I also encourage a shared culture since a team that is set on a single mission is one that is united. I also ensure everyone has visibility of the larger picture and a clear understanding of how their performance impacts the bottom line."
Marketing
"I am very aware of my team members' unspoken feelings. As a creative type, I believe this awareness makes me more intuitive. I also develop successful and motivated teams by treating everyone with genuine care. My employees know that they matter to me."
Retail
"I have built successful teams in the past, and I find a lot of the success comes down to building a collaborative environment where everyone respects each other. When a team can collaborate to solve problems and meet targets, we foster a competitive yet fun work environment. I achieve this by encouraging helpfulness, transparency, and giving clear direction and expectations."
Sales
"I believe the most important components of building a successful team are connecting with each team member individually and working to understand what motivates them personally and professionally. I have helped my team to be successful by showing them how they can grow individually and as a group."
Teacher
"I keep a collaborative class environment by embracing an inclusive and harmonious work environment. Diverse environments can generate a lot of creativity which is always welcome in my classroom."
User-Submitted Answer
"I believe getting everyone to understand that we are all on the same team, and we will support everyone to the best of our abilities - has played a big part in my current team's success. If people have something going on at home, they know someone will cover for them. If they make a warranty decision they know that their team and supervisor is going to have their back."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This sounds like a perfect team environment and a very cohesive way of working together. It may also be helpful to speak about the state of the team when you took over, and how it's improved under your leadership.
11. Have you ever had to fire an employee? What were the reasons for their termination?
How to Answer
Terminating an employee is among the least exciting tasks a manager needs to perform. The interviewer wants to know how you approach a termination conversation and determine when a termination is the best course of action. If you have terminated an employee in the past, provide a real-life example highlighting details of the actions you took.
Answer Example
"Yes, I have had to terminate two employees in the past. These terminations stemmed from missed targets and insubordination. I found the situation challenging because I did care about them and their well-being. However, I had to remind myself that I did absolutely everything I could to ensure their success. I cannot carry the full responsibility; however, and after each of these team members failed to deliver improvements after being put on a performance plan, termination was the final course of action."
Admin
"I have had to let go of a couple of part-time administrative assistants. While it's certainly not my favorite task, I feel confident in my abilities to identify a low performer and work to coach them and lead them to satisfactory improvements. If my efforts are not effective, I will choose to terminate the individual."
Manager
"Unfortunately, terminating employees is a part of management. I recently had to separate employment with someone who was under-performing. I coached them, offered additional learning experiences, and worked with them on a performance improvement plan. It was the right person in the wrong role, and I decided to move forward with a termination. I was cautious when backfilling the position, knowing what it would take for the replacement to succeed."
Marketing
"There have been several occasions when I have had to terminate an employee, which weighs on me since I don't want to see anyone fail or be in a financial predicament due to job loss. However, since I have spent so much time with my team and work to mentor them, I will remind myself that I did as much as I could do, and the rest was up to them. If an employee chooses to put in the minimum effort, I will do what is best for the rest of the team and the company which is terminating this underperformers' employment."
Retail
"At the beginning of my career, I was part of an HR team that chose when an employee was going to be terminated. As the administrator, I carefully observed the decision-making process and the termination process. Today, as a Retail Manager, I take the approach of coaching up or out. To coach up means that I see potential in the person, and I invest time in additional coaching and mentoring; thus, coaching them 'up' into performing how they should. Coaching the person out means coaching them up until the realization is made that they cannot, or will not, perform to expectations. At that point, the person should be terminated from their position."
Sales
"I have, unfortunately, have had to let a few employees go. I have always done the best that I can to coach an employee. I create a plan to help get them on track, provide them with any training and additional resources they need to achieve at the level we expect. I also hold frequent check-ins with them. However, sometimes this approach does not work, and we have to go our separate ways. I am always sure that it's not a surprise to that employee since we go through a coaching and regular check-in process."
Teacher
"I have never had to expel a student, and I am thankful for that. If I have a student on the verge of expulsion, I will coach them heavily and get their parents and the school Principal involved."
User-Submitted Answer
"While I have never had to fire an employee, I have had to put people on a personal improvement plan. Fortunately, when I have gone through this process with team members, we have been able to get them back on track and performing at an acceptable level."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It's fantastic to hear that you were able to get these team members back on track! This answer speaks very well to your willingness to invest in the development of others.
12. What do you see as the most difficult task in being a manager?
How to Answer
Management roles often bring significant challenges and difficult tasks. Share with the interviewer what you feel is the most challenging task in management and why. Aside from the task itself, the interviewer wants to know the actions you take to make this task easier. Chances are, the harder you work at the task, or the more you perfect your role, the easier the task becomes. Discuss what you are currently doing to make this task less difficult in the future.
Answer Example
"As a manager, the most difficult task for me is to delegate our heavy workload evenly. I have team members who are absolute rock-stars, and they exceed their targets every week. I also have team members who are meeting their targets but overall, they are lower producers. I have to remind myself to distribute the work and responsibilities evenly despite my natural inclination to give my highest performers more work. To solve this issue, I have started working closely with these lower producing team members to prepare them for a larger workload."
Admin
"I believe the most difficult task for me as a manager is to lead everyone effectively when many of my team members work remotely. I like to make a connection with everyone, so I do send friendly check-in emails, for instance, to ensure that despite not being in a physical office, they are a valued part of the team."
Manager
"Working with people and running a business are two of my favorite things. It can be easy to get caught up in the aspects of my work that feel more 'fun,' and I can forget to draw a stronger line between being the 'boss' and being a friend. To ensure that I maintain a balance, I schedule consistent 1:1 meetings and performance reviews. Through these formal conversations, I can maintain a level of authority without being intimidating or over-the-top."
Marketing
"Managing creative types can be challenging at times. My most difficult task is leading team members who have ideas for days and easily lose focus out of sheer enthusiasm. To manage these personalities in a way that keeps them on track without stifling their incredible enthusiasm, I ensure we have an updated project workflow at all times, and I present the workflow in a highly visual way. If a project timeline or task is lagging, I am aware of the situation right away and take action to refocus my team."
Retail
"As a new manager, the most difficult task I face is giving feedback to my team members, particularly when it's negative. I am a very approachable person who is genuinely interested in my team members' success and happiness. Still, I must provide timely feedback and corrective action when needed to ensure they meet or exceed expectations. To become better at providing feedback, I recently enrolled in an online class through LinkedIn Learning called 'Giving and Receiving Feedback.' I have learned a lot so far, and my confidence is building every day."
Sales
"The most difficult management task I faced was coming into a preexisting, cohesive team when I was transferred to Chicago two years ago. I needed to remind myself that although I was the leader, I was the one who was 'new.' To grab my new team's attention and buy-in, I made sure to listen more than I spoke for quite some time. I observed, asked insightful questions, and worked hard to learn what the team needed and expected before making any significant changes to their workflow. This approach ensured that they rose to the occasion under my leadership. It was a hard challenge; however, we saw zero employee turnover, and our productivity increased by 35% after three short months. If hired for this management role, I suspect that I will face a similar challenge; however, I feel confident in my ability to warm up the team quickly."
Teacher
"When it comes to managing a classroom, I believe that the most difficult task is navigating all of the unique personalities of my 26 students. I must encourage the exploration of thoughts and ideas while still maintaining control of the classroom. To achieve this balance, I maintain authority, have clear communication, and encourage individuality so long as everyone remains respected and comfortable in their environment."
User-Submitted Answer
"I believe the most difficult task for a manager is to earn the trust of the team. For this the manager should be very approachable and genuinely interested in the well being of the team and also he has made sure this is a place of business .and meeting /exceeding expectations is the name of the game above all else."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Earning the trust and respect of their team members is definitely a challenging task for managers. Great job! The interviewer will appreciate that you discuss how a manager might accomplish this (by being approachable and genuinely interested in the team's wellbeing). Perhaps consider clarifying what you mean by making sure it's a place of business (do you mean that employees need to act professionally?) and whose expectations need to be met/exceeded (the customers?)
13. What do your team members think of you as a team leader?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know if you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses in leading others. Be transparent and honest about your strong points and potential shortcomings as a manager. Discuss what you genuinely feel your team would say about your leadership skills. Avoid a response that is braggadocious! Remain humble yet show that you are aware of your unique skills and abilities. When discussing your areas of weakness, be sure to include the action you are taking to improve.
Answer Example
"I often ask my team members for feedback on my leadership skills since it's important to me that I am evolving and growing as a manager. The points that consistently come up are that I am a clear communicator and that I am approachable. I am working on my ability to be more concise in my direction. At times, I give more detail than necessary, and my team members have mentioned that they will come to me with questions if a point is unclear. I have been working on improving my brevity in certain situations by reviewing the conversation points in my mind ahead of time."
Admin
"I have earned the respect of my team by working closely with each of them since the beginning of their employment. My team feels confident in my leadership, and we work through many challenges together. They know they can rely on me to support them and make decisions that are best for the team as a whole."
Manager
"Consistently, I hear that I am very open, communicative, and a great cheerleader. I will hold people accountable for their tasks yet ensure they feel uplifted while achieving their goals. My area for improvement is that I talk fast when delivering new information. Since receiving feedback on my verbal speed, I have been mindful about slowing down and opening the floor for questions after meetings."
Marketing
"My team members consistently comment on how much they like my open-door policy and the fact that I will participate as an equal every chance I get. It's important that even though I hold a management-level role, I am relatable and accessible. One area of improvement is how I approach motivating my team members. I have been learning how to target individual motivations and introduce specific approaches based on each team members' preference. To achieve this, I began by conducting an employee survey and then following up with 1:1 meetings to discuss each of my 15 team members' professional preferences."
Retail
"I make sure to ask for frequent feedback in meetings, one-on-ones, and in informal settings. I also have an anonymous 'suggestion jar' so my team can be candid with their thoughts, and I can learn and grow without forming any bias against someone who might criticize my work. The overall feedback has included that I communicate expectations frequently and precisely. Occasionally I'm told my expectations are too high, but I am comfortable with this since I hold everyone, including myself, to high standards. I am working very hard to ensure that expectations remain achievable at the same time. To achieve this, I will often weigh in with my team members on their feelings towards projects, tasks, and deadlines."
Sales
"As a growth-focused leader, I continually seek feedback from my team members. Honest critiques help me to learn and grow my leadership skills. I conduct weekly check-ins where I meet with the account execs and the sales development pods. I ask for what I've done best that week and where I can improve. Then, I make it a point to incorporate their constructive feedback into my daily actions and touch base the following week to ensure that I'm developing in that regard."
Teacher
"In addition to being a Grade 3 teacher, I am my school's Learning Leader for the K-4 student body. My co-workers and faculty nominated me, and I believe they enjoy seeing me in a leadership role. As a leader, I exercise excellent listening skills and am intuitive to the needs of others. I am working to gain clearer communication skills. I have started working toward my Leadership Certificate for Educators, which has already taught me helpful communication approaches for a variety of personalities."
User-Submitted Answer
"Overall my team members have told me that I am someone they can come to and ask questions freely and know that I am always going to be there to help them. They also appreciate that I am willing to roll up my sleeves and work side by side with them when the time calls for it."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Your team members seem to appreciate you, which is wonderful. This answer speaks well to your abilities as a leader. If you wish to get more specific re: a time when you rolled up your sleeves, this would be a nice addition to your response.
14. Tell me about a time when you were effective at managing multiple projects at once.
How to Answer
As a manager, you may be required to lead various projects and deadlines simultaneously. The interviewer wants to see evidence of your ability to juggle multiple projects while maintaining poise. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of doing so by discussing your approach to a heavy workload.
This question is phrased as, 'Tell me about a time when.' This means that the interviewer expects you to provide a story-based example of when you achieved success in this type of situation. You can form a reply using the STAR answer framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Answer Example
"Last month, I was asked to open three new client projects on the same day. This volume is not typical for our company; however, our project volumes have increased tremendously since a recent marketing push. I started by building a custom workflow in 'Monday PM,' our team's workflow management software. Then, I assigned important tasks and sub-tasks to the best-matched team members. I ensured that deadlines were clear and then held a team meeting to review expectations. My strong organizational skills ensured that my team remained in control every step of the way. Just yesterday, we delivered on-time drafts to each client, and now we await feedback and edit requests."
Admin
"As an executive assistant, every project that the CEO has on his desk is, essentially, mine as well. Currently, I am handling his travel and stay arrangements for a two-week international conference and client tour. I am booking his meeting schedule while also making room on his calendar for special events. Tasks include purchasing event tickets and ensuring his wardrobe is suitable for the 14-day trip. I am managing my regular workload on top of all of this, of course. I have been an EA to this executive for eight years and over-deliver on expectations at every opportunity."
Manager
"Initially in my career, I struggled with proper task prioritization; however, I have improved greatly by researching proper workflow management techniques and customizing an approach that works best with my leadership style. Now, juggling multiple projects is my forte! I recently launched an organizational effectiveness survey for the department. At the same time, I introduced a new benefits plan for the US region and hired 13 new team members. The executive team has expressed appreciation for my ability to take on a large workload while maintaining my usual level of productivity and enthusiasm."
Marketing
"Right now, I have 4 client projects on the go, ranging from budgets of $50K-$200K. I rely heavily on my systems and apps such as Zoho and Salesforce to ensure these projects run smoothly. Luckily, I am a naturally organized individual, and I have an incredibly supportive team of creatives who are always on the ball."
Retail
"I thrive under pressure, both personally and professionally. Currently, I am in charge of managing sales performance, employee scheduling, goal setting, reviews, hiring and termination, merchandising, and forecasting. Last quarter, our head office asked me to begin assisting with buying decisions. To make sure that I continued to meet expectations, I began to delegate tasks such as merchandising. This experience has shown that I am highly capable of running multiple ongoing projects simultaneously."
Sales
"A couple of months ago, I found myself working on four RFPs at one time, which was a significant undertaking. I was also responsible for fifteen direct reports, sales forecasting duties, and customer service management. To help juggle the workload, I put in a temporary request to transition some of our customer services accounts to the customer success team. I leaned on our project management software heavily to make sure that my tasks were timeline correctly. I also worked overtime a few days a week until all RFPs were submitted. I like to remain busy at work so this time, although challenging, was not overly stressful. This situation also reminded me that I have a helpful and talented team to rely on when workloads soar."
Teacher
"This year, I have a much larger workload than usual after public school budget cuts resulted in the lay-off of my classroom assistant. Now, I block off time each evening to ensure that my students are not left waiting for their marks for more than three days. It is a heavy amount of responsibility; however, I don't mind working hard for my students and being an example of a strong work ethic."
User-Submitted Answer
""¢ S: During my first year at the University of Bristol, I was balancing my degree alongside being a fresher's rep for two societies and in a sports team for a competition.
"¢ T: It was my responsibility to ensure I had the energy to fulfill all commitments to the best of my ability.
"¢ A: I always used my free periods to complete all urgent degree work, treating education as a 9 - 5 job, this left me with enough time to rest in between school and the training.
"¢ R: By micro-managing my time through the Eisenhower box method, I was able to find balance, something I hold in high regard to this day."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Great. Assume your interviewer isn't familiar with the method you used to complete all your work. How does the method work? How do you apply it?
15. Tell me about a critical decision you have made that greatly affected your team's performance.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about your ability to make critical decisions on behalf of your team. As a manager, you will sometimes be required to make tough decisions that will impact your entire team. Talk about a time you had to do so, including details of the outcome and how you recovered team morale.
Answer Example
"Just last week, I decided to terminate one of our most popular team leads. This decision was difficult because the team liked this individual; however, his performance was poor. This action produced low morale for a few days until the team recovered enough to see that their productivity was increasing without the distraction this individual presented."
Admin
"I put in a request to have my team members' desks moved closer to the accounts payable/accounts receivable department. We needed to improve communication between departments, and being stations on different floors was making the situation very challenging. With the request granted, we have seen a great improvement in cross-departmental communication."
Manager
"While managing at Company XYZ, my cross-functional team was having a hard time sharing updates and communicating well by email. Our schedules were hectic, so we did not always have everyone present in our project update meetings. I decided to create a shared team workspace in Asana to share documents and update communications on the go. This introduction was not welcomed initially. My busy team members felt it was a burden to learn a new project management system. Regardless, I loved forward with the idea and provided Asana training for every team member. In the end, this new process helped the team's performance tremendously and bridged many communication gaps."
Marketing
"As the Marketing Manager of Agency ABC, I worked with our Director to pivot the agency from a generalist approach to one that specialized in working within the food and beverage industry. Although 80% of our clients were already in that space, a few of our team members felt this change was not ideal. However, the leadership team felt by carving out a niche, we would gain further distinction in a saturated market. The plan worked, and our team is now busier than ever. We have increased our client base by 15% in just three months."
Retail
"Two of my team's most senior associates, with a combined 60 years in retail, were acting incredibly competitive with each other. Although competition is important, this situation reduced team morale as it was uncomfortable and isolating to the other team members. After months of trying to mediate between the two, I chose to terminate their employment due to being un-coachable. Even though I expected a dip in sales for a few weeks, we actually saw an increase! With the negativity removed, my other associates began to shine."
Sales
"With 3 states in my territory and 3 associates setting appointments, it would seem simple to divide tasks evenly; however, the team expressed dislike in how the territories were divided. So, a few months ago, I decided to try something new. No more divisions by state, but rather by OEM. I took the total number of dealerships in the 3 states, grouped them equally by size, and assigned them equally across reps. This decision boosted productivity and morale while decreasing client complaints."
Teacher
"I changed our classroom seating plan around a few weeks ago. The change might sound minor; however, altering the seating plans of best friends in Grade 3 is not a move that will go undisputed! The students did not like the change, but it has benefitted them by increasing concentration and helping them create new bonds with other classmates."
User-Submitted Answer
""¢ S: When I was the socials secretary for Bristol Hindu society, I oversaw the subcommittee made up of 7 freshers whose purpose was to run events for freshers.
"¢ T: Initially our meetings were held at the library, however, the energy felt quite formal.
"¢ A: I decided to hold meetings at my university house where the meetings became more free-flowing and natural.
"¢ R: The productivity of our meetings was greatly improved, and so did the bond of the team going forward."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice example, and you explain the problem you identified, your solution, and the result very effectively.
16. Tell me about a situation in which you had to lead a team member who did not like you.
How to Answer
When working in a management role, you might come across an employee who does not like your personality or appreciates your management style. This situation does not mean you have failed as a manager. It could simply mean that personalities are clashing or the team member has not yet bought into your vision. The interviewer wants to know that you can handle this type of conflict correctly and find ways to motivate this person, keep them engaged in their work and perhaps even learn to enjoy working with you. This question is phrased as 'Tell me about...,' which means that the interviewer expects a specific story-based example.
Answer Example
"When I first started in my current role, I was replacing a very beloved manager who had retired. The team that I inherited was not happy about the change, and they initially set out to give me a hard time. I addressed the situation within the first week, acknowledging that I had big shoes to fill. I believe that the team respected this honest approach. Over the course of a couple of weeks, the team came as they realized that I had their best interest at heart."
Admin
"When I worked as a temporary administrative assistant, I did not always jive with the head administrator. Because I was in a temp role, I felt overlooked or was sometimes treated poorly. Regardless, I did my work to the best of my ability because I wanted to keep a good reputation with my agency. I don't need everyone to like me, but I do need to deliver great work while feeling respected in the workplace."
Manager
"In my last role, I led a team member with a work style very different from my own. This person was unwilling to make an effort to adapt to change, even when our company faced significant industry regulation changes. When the team should have been asking questions to learn about the regulation changes, this person showed a preference for doing things how they had 'always been done.' I was perceptive to the issue and approached this person in private. I asked them for their opinion on a few changes to understand their attitude and preferences. After taking this approach a few times, we developed a better working relationship. I believe this person wanted to feel important and that their industry experience was valued."
Marketing
"Although I cannot recall anyone outright say they don't like me, I have butted heads with team members in the past. Generally speaking, these situations surround a difference of opinion on actions to take while approaching a client's project. For instance, I follow digital algorithms carefully, yet I have one team member who is more 'old school' and doesn't value some of our reports. We have learned to work with each other very well. Although we may disagree at times, it's always with respect and never disruptive to the overall team environment."
Retail
"When promoted to Retail Manager of my current department, I was the youngest on the team. This age factor made my promotion unpopular news. It seemed they thought they could treat me as though I were their daughter rather than their leader. I quickly made it clear that while I respect their experience, I would not accept condescending treatment. I approached the conversation with confidence and respect while emphasizing how important their expertise was to me. I explained the company's goals for our team and outlined how they could contribute and ensure we reached those goals. Since this conversation, the team has been a delight to lead, and I feel they respect my input as an individual, regardless of my age."
Sales
"I'm all about openly tackling a problem when I see it so that issues can come to a quick resolution. This approach doesn't go over well with the lower-achievers on my team hoping to skate by and do the bare minimum. For instance, last week, I heard a team member mocking my approach to another employee after a team meeting discussing low productivity. I strive to maintain a cohesive, collaborative environment for the people on my team who want to achieve great things. So, I spoke with the employee in private. I let them know that I overhead them mocking me, and I wrote them up formally. I allowed for an explanation, and we discussed behavior expectations and professionalism in the workplace. By taking control of the situation right away, I feel that I gained some respect from the employee while also expressing that their behavior would not be tolerated again."
Teacher
"I am used to students not always liking me, and I am realistic to believe that I cannot win everyone over. Situations of dislike do not sway me or impact my teaching style. As far as my colleagues, I do not always get along famously with everyone at all times, but we all respect each other despite differences in our teaching style."
User-Submitted Answer
"This is a loaded question. I come across with colleagues when there is a difference of opinion, especially with the seniors. one of the recent examples is the approach for test automation. one of my colleagues approach is to use a.net approach where we don't have the skillset and a 3rd part where our business will be only to run the business and test it data drive approach/long conversations."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Avoid telling the interviewer that they are asking a loaded question as this might not go over well, depending on their level of humor. Also, consider clarifying how you come across to colleagues when there's a difference of opinion. No matter how you come across, be sure to focus on the positives. So, for example, if you come across as assertive and straightforward, discuss how you're aware of this and take steps to soften your approach but that these qualities also allow you to be a leader who others trust and understand.
17. What do you believe is the biggest challenge you will face in this management position?
How to Answer
Each new job you take will come with its own set of challenges. Even the most seasoned manager will face a unique set of challenges. The interviewer wants you to openly share what you believe will be the biggest initial challenge for you in this particular position.
Draw from the job description and show that you have a solid understanding of the position requirements and the challenges you might face in this role. Customize your response to show that you understand the hiring company's needs. Discuss the most significant initial challenge you believe you will face. Then, focus on the actions you will take to meet these demands.
Answer Example
"I realize that many teams see a slight decrease in performance after a change in management. My biggest initial challenge will be ensuring that we avoid a dip in productivity and team morale. To prevent this situation from occurring, I will get to know each team member and show that I value their contribution. I will ask questions like, 'What are your favorite things to work on?' and 'What have past leaders done that you want me to do, and don't want me to do?' or 'What do you do outside of work that is important to you?' These discovery questions will help me get to know the individual and understand how to motivate them to remain a productive part of the team as we face some change and transitions."
Admin
"You mentioned that the previous Administration Manager was not an effective communicator. For that reason, I believe the biggest challenge will be reframing communication expectations with the existing team. To overcome this situation, I will ask each team member how they prefer to receive communication, feedback, and praise. I understand that the best motivations come from a sense of achievement, knowing that they have valuable responsibilities and opportunities for advancement and growth in their work. By recognizing these needs right away, I believe I will overcome this challenge quickly."
Manager
"Now that I have met with your leadership team and explored the role in detail, I believe the biggest challenge for me will be creating a workflow structure that meets the vision you have for this new department. The work will be vast, and I am sure it will take me some time to perfect, which is why I have already begun to draft a roadmap for success. My greatest desire is that my new team immediately sees that I am invested in the vision, and they follow suit out of enthusiasm for these initiatives."
Marketing
"When it comes to leadership in marketing, I place a lot of focus on the rhythm of the workflow. The existing team and clients will be accustomed to a particular 'rhythm' on projects, and I will be careful to avoid disrupting that flow. Workflow disruption is always a risk when a new leader joins a team; however, I am cognizant of this issue and understand how to avoid significant consequences. Initially, I will be more of an observer of the workflow, client relationships, and how the team collaborates on projects. I will make notes and have meaningful conversations with the team members. Only after gaining a 360 view will I introduce any necessary changes to the departments' workflow, process, procedures, and expectations."
Retail
"I think the biggest challenge I will face initially is learning a new inventory management system. I have experience with ABC, and I understand you use XYZ. To meet this challenge, I have already started to watch online tutorials on the XYZ dashboard and am learning how to generate critical reports. Challenges aside, I'm excited to enter a new team environment, and I look forward to deepening my understanding of company processes."
Sales
"I believe the biggest challenge I will face coming into this position is getting the team on board with a change in management. Leadership change, when introduced for positive reasons, is something employees should be excited about. However, I know team members are often resistant to new leaders and organizational change. I look forward to tackling this challenge by getting to know the team members on a deeper level. Before making changes, I plan to gather input on how we can maximize productivity and job satisfaction. I know how important it is to gain buy-in, so one of the first questions I will ask each team member is, 'What are your career goals, and where are you in achieving these goals?' By showing an interest in their growth, I believe most team members will open up to me. From that connection, I can learn how to nurture the individual and ensure the organization is leaning on their most notable strengths."
Teacher
"The greatest challenge for me when working with a new group of students is to gain the trust of each student. Kids do not always embrace change, especially if my purpose is to replace a favorite teacher who might be retiring or going on temporary leave. To help the students feel more comfortable with change, I will get to know what they like and dislike and let their unique needs and individual personalities shine. I look forward to earning the trust of this group."
User-Submitted Answer
"The biggest challenge I will have in this role is learning all the different products that we are servicing. In my spare time, I have been getting myself familiar with all the different parts of the instruments division. Once in this role, I would like to spend time with people on the phones so that I can learn more from the experts."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Fantastic work; getting yourself prepared ahead of time. This initiative should be well-received by the hiring authorities.
18. What do you think our company's biggest challenge is? How will you help with this need as our manager?
How to Answer
The way you respond to this question will reveal to the interviewer how much (or little!) pre-interview research you have performed on the role, the company, and the goals of the organization. After some due diligence, you should be able to target some needs or pain points of the organization and identify actions you can take to make a difference.
This question presents an opportunity for you to stand out from other candidates by providing specific details of how you plan to make a positive impact when you are hired. Be as detailed as you can while expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to meet the company's needs by utilizing your greatest strengths and talents.
Answer Example
"After speaking with you further about this role and the immediate and future goals of the business, I believe the biggest challenge this company has faced is in hiring the right talent. I have a strong background in recruitment and management and feel strongly that I can assist with this hurdle. A company's success leans heavily on employing, training, and investing in the right team players. When we can optimize the talent attraction, hiring, and onboarding process, great things can happen, and Company ABC will see many underlying issues dissipate."
Admin
"From what I have learned from our time together so far, Company ABC's biggest challenge has been the impact of its recent merger with Company XYZ. I understand that now is a great time to reorganize and reassess many internal processes. I am highly skilled in workflow improvements and system integrations and look forward to helping the company optimize productivity and boost profits by streamlining many critical processes."
Manager
"From my research, I understand that your organization has been seeing rapid growth over the past 14 months and excelling as a mid-sized corporation in the ABC Industry. As the business grows, the company is taking a more active focus on change management and organizational development, two things I look forward to bringing to this role. The focus of my BA was in organizational development and change management. I am well versed in how to re-evaluate current management models and am capable of implementing change to help the organization remain competitive while ensuring your existing team remains on board with inevitable changes."
Marketing
"After researching your organization, I believe the biggest challenge you are facing is in recovering from the hiring freeze your company was under last year. This hiring freeze is an action that can be a red flag for future hires as you execute new talent attraction strategies. I plan to help you overcome this challenge by leveraging my strong network and reputation in this industry to attract top talent and grown teams that can perform in this highly competitive marketing landscape."
Retail
"From what you've shared with me and my existing understanding of the industry, I believe the biggest obstacle that you face is lack of employee engagement. As is often the case, the team comprises mostly part-time associates who view this job as a stepping stone and not a career path. Thus, these team members are not as engaged in the workplace as they could or should be. I have addressed a similar issue at my current company, and I look forward to implementing my same sales, development, and opportunity incentives with your team to generate the same productivity results and financial increases I was able to produce at Company XYZ."
Sales
"From what I've learned so far, the next big challenge for this company is executing the high growth targets set for the business, which investors and the board are depending on. I believe that my expertise in a competitive and high-pressure sales environment will help catapult the organization to the next tier of excellence in sales and service, and I look forward to helping address this challenge."
Teacher
"Right now, I believe that the biggest challenge your school is facing is the fallout of recent budget cuts and teacher layoffs. I faced the impact of significant budget cuts in my previous role and can say that I bring a great deal of experience in fundraising and making budgets stretch as far as possible."
User-Submitted Answer
"Validus Re is in a critical growth stage between being a medium-size business and diversifying the portfolio with new products. This stage requires you to actively focus on streamlining the process to increase capacity, creativity in the analytics solution to a new product, two things I look forward to bringing to this role, based on my success at _________."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Great! It's a very good approach to both answer the question and shows how you'll help contribute to solving the challenge. Can you discuss, in more detail, how you'll help the company through these challenges?
19. What type of employees do you find difficult to manage?
How to Answer
As a manager, you will be required to lead a great variety of personality types. The interviewer wants to have confidence that you can lead various individuals, regardless of their personality or a difference of opinion. Discuss with the interviewer the type of personalities that you find most challenging to manage and why. Be sure to provide the interviewer with your solution to these challenges and show your competence in handling various personalities and work styles.
Answer Example
"I find it most challenging to lead individuals who are not self-motivated. When a person has low ambition, it takes targeted tactics to build their enthusiasm on the job. As a manager, I can do a few things to encourage participation. These actions include getting to know each team member on an individual basis. Once I know what motivates them outside of work, I can typically personalize my in-office motivational approach. I put in the effort to identify their needs as individuals and then speak to those needs to boost their motivation levels. If the employee does not want to change, I cannot force the change. However, I will do what I can to make sure they feel satisfied on the job and want to perform for their team and their company."
Admin
"I have come across administrators who are disinterested with their job or the company. What I have found most challenging is that they will continue doing the bare minimum at work rather than voice a desire for change or additional opportunities. To address situations like this, I do what I can to let the person choose some of their tasks and projects. I have found that when I give a person more control over their work, they are more likely to take responsibility and put enthusiasm into their work."
Manager
"I find it difficult to manage associates who are disinterested or resistant to engagement with the team. Every employee brings challenges at times, yet I look for the strengths they bring to the team and if they are willing to share those strengths with their teammates. Some tasks are low status by nature, and we all have them. Those aren't going to generate motivation. So, to ensure there is balance, I make sure that every team member has a variety of tasks and responsibilities that speak to their talents and interests."
Marketing
"While this is atypical in the marketing world, I find uninterested people difficult to manage. It's hard to lead a collaborative, cohesive team if there's a person with no interest in collaboration or teamwork. When this situation happens, I try to get to know the person and understand what motivates them outside of work. Once I learn more about their motivating factors, I can incorporate that to boost their level of professional interest."
Retail
"My biggest challenge is the employee who has no interest in being a team player. I can handle almost any personality or quirk. Still, if a team member is not motivated to help others or join in for the greater good, this not only bothers me on a professional level but also I find it quite hard to coach. To deal with this type of employee, I will hold a one-on-one meeting to express collaboration expectations and introduce a performance plan if needed. Expectations will be made clear, as will consequences if the behavior is not corrected."
Sales
"I feel as though I can adapt to most employees, but what challenges me most is someone looking to skate by with no real ambition or effort. I do my best to find ways to motivate any and every employee. Even if they are not vying for the next promotion or to be a top salesperson, I feel there is some motivation factor, whether it's a learning opportunity, transferring to a different department, or some form of recognition. Everyone deserves the same level of respect, so I will work hard to uncover each team members' motivating factors before taking corrective measures."
Teacher
"The students I find most challenging to lead are the ones who do not believe in themselves. They are often cynical about tasks and their abilities. I will plant seeds of belief in them, and along the way, they usually come out of the cloud and begin to see how smart they are! That turning point is exciting for me as a teacher, especially as I see a positive impact on their grades and their social connections in the classroom."
User-Submitted Answer
"not self-motivated"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
It's undoubtedly a challenge to manage unmotivated employees. Great answer! But don't forget to talk about what you can do as a manager to motivate this type of employee in order to improve their performance.
20. As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?
How to Answer
Everyone has their weaknesses -- and that is okay! Talk to the hiring manager about what you feel you could work on the most and what you are doing about it. Avoid discussing a weakness that could be detrimental to you securing the position.
When discussing your weakness, genuine vulnerability is essential, but be sure to include what you are doing to improve on the weakness. The interviewer wants you to be honest about your shortcomings. At the same time, they want to see that you are proactive and dedicated to professional growth. It's important to maintain a positive tone, show confidence, and display a desire for growth.
Answer Example
"As a manager, I feel that my greatest weakness is in terminating employees at the first sign that they are not going to work out. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and have been guilty of nurturing people when they are overdue for termination. I have worked on this by reading books on leadership. I also found an employee termination sourcebook on Amazon that has been beneficial. As a result, I have become much better at holding tough conversations and standing my ground in a way that is empathetic yet delivers my important message at the same time."
Admin
"I am currently working on building a better understanding of the goals of my administrative team. Once I fully understand what drives each individual in the workplace, I can teach each of them a few methods to develop their skills and knowledge base. This approach will also allow me to delegate more confidently."
Manager
"My biggest weakness as a manager is that I tend to think and act quickly, which can sometimes cause strain on the teams that I lead. I believe that it's a positive factor that I can adapt quickly and think on my feet when it comes to decision making in a fast-paced environment; however, not everyone can work well with a leader that holds this pace most of the time. I am constantly reminding myself to slow down and walk with my team along the way. Since I have started being more cognizant of this habit, I have begun to slow down and walk alongside my team at a more controlled pace. They have expressed their appreciation for the change, and I will continue to work to improve."
Marketing
"My biggest weakness as a manager is [X]. I believe that [lift yourself up by mentioning that you show potential in this area]; however, I could improve. To grow in this area, I am [discuss the specific action steps you are taking to improve this weakness]. By [give a dedicated timeline], I plan to [mention the goal you wish to reach when it comes to improving this weakness]."
Retail
"My greatest weakness as a manager is my comfort level with delegating. From my previous job of eight years, I became accustomed to doing all of the managerial tasks myself since it was a small team and most of my employees were very new to the workforce. In my current position, I don't have an assistant manager and often work without a shift leader due to recent budget cuts. To learn more about delegating appropriate tasks to the appropriate employee, I have been reading about proper task delegation. Some of my favorite delegation tips come from the Harvard Business School online resource hub, a helpful resource that I lean on often."
Sales
"As far as management is concerned, I'd say my greatest weakness is taking too much interest in my employees' growth, even if they don't demonstrate the interest in growth themselves. While it is part of my job to help my team grow and improve, it is not my responsibility to want it more for them than they do for themselves. To better assess which employees are most eager to be given new opportunities, I started putting out a quarterly employee survey where each team member can express, safely and privately, what they want to gain from their employment over the coming months. This approach is more personalized and allows me to focus on specific needs and desires of the individual without projecting my personal feelings."
Teacher
"A co-worker recently told me I could spend less time focusing on worksheets during classroom time and place more attention on hands-on, group-based learning opportunities. As an educator newer to my career, I am very comfortable abiding by 'the book,' so to speak. I am working hard to gain confidence in adding new mediums to my lessons, and I know that will come as my teaching career continues. Some of my favorite resources for improving on this weakness include the Scholastic website and PBS Learning Media."
User-Submitted Answer
"Since all of my team members work remotely, I tend not to delegate simple tasks that they could complete from home. I just take it upon myself and finish the job. In the last year, we have gotten Microsoft office 365, and this has made it much easier for me to delegate some of these tasks that I would have not in the past and allow my team more opportunity to grow."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This would be a challenge for sure, delegating when your team is remote. It's wonderful that you were able to leverage 365 in such an impactful way.
21. Tell me about a situation in which your team began to unravel. How did you overcome the challenge and lead your team?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know more about your ability to recover your team when a project starts to unravel. Assure the hiring manager that you can keep your team together, even when times get tough. Tell a story-based example that showcases your abilities to overcome challenges and lead your team to success even in the face of a challenge.
Answer Example
"Just last month our team was falling behind when it came to hitting our targets for the final quarter. We were at risk of losing rank and not winning the company's president's club trip to Mexico. We were able to meet as an entire team and create a success plan. Everyone worked overtime for the final three weeks of the year, and we made it! It was a great success story for us."
Admin
"During tax season a few years ago, we were inundated with phone calls about a promotion that we had put on. We literally could not keep up with the volume, and my three phone lines were ringing non-stop. Our boss is not overly proactive, so I took the opportunity to suggest that we hire two temporary admin associates to help us until the tax season was over. He agreed, and I made the call to get back up! It was a great decision, and we do this every year now."
Manager
"During a product launch last year, the R&D team was delayed in their innovation process, which caused the rest of the team to lose focus and interest in the launch. We brought everyone together to introduce a great incentive for the organization to launch and deliver sales above quota on time. The team hit their target and was engaged because they had a stake in the game."
Marketing
"Last year, our agency lost a major client, which caused the 'blame game' to get started. Everyone on the team felt the loss and wanted to place the blame on the next person. I held a team meeting, asked everyone what they felt THEY could have done differently. Seeing everyone take accountability for their contribution to the loss was a significant step. Now, we are reminded to avoid those mistakes with future clients."
Retail
"My two best sales associates are incredible performers, but they also work very poorly together. This year when the down-filled coats, which are one of our highest priced items in the department, became available for the winter season, it got so hostile between them that other sales associates were staying out of the section entirely. The situation made for low morale, and we were also letting our customers down. I decided to implement a rotating section, in which the associates changed sections every hour, meaning everyone got a fair shot at selling the high-priced items. This change boosted everyone's confidence on the team, cut down the unfriendly competition, and made the workplace vibe feel much lighter."
Sales
"When one of the beloved account executives on our team left, there was discord among the rest of the team members who were vying for the newly open territory. The situation started as friendly joking but soon spiraled. I held a team meeting to discuss the territory and its distribution. I let them know that, if they were interested in the Midwest region, the top three sales reps for the month would be eligible to pitch why they would be best suited to switch regions. It became a friendly and purpose-driven competition instead of an opportunity to argue. Also, the challenge improved productivity and allowed me to see who would rise to the occasion and thrive under pressure."
Teacher
"This year, my grade 7 classroom had a significant gender imbalance which caused some social issues and concerns for the pubescent pre-teen students. Overall, my class consisted of 19 boys and 3 girls, so you can imagine I had hormone-driven issues to work through. I overcame this situation by addressing the situation and teaching each student how to set an admirable example and act as an ally to their classmates, regardless of gender identity. The class took my challenge very seriously, and their behavior towards each other has improved significantly since."
User-Submitted Answer
"?"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
In order to answer this question, think about a time when your team was having issues. How did you react to this? Were you able to turn your team around?
22. How many people did you supervise at your last position?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about the supervisory responsibilities you are accustomed to taking on. Discuss the largest number of people you have managed, and provide details of your leadership style and your success as a leader.
This question is also a great opportunity to ask the interviewer how many people you would be managing in this role. If there is a significant responsibility increase in this role, from what you are used to, be prepared to overcome any concerns by describing how your leadership experience has prepared you to succeed in this position.
Answer Example
"Currently, I am supervising 12 employees with an overall portfolio responsibility of $24MM. While working for Company XYZ, I managed 23 employees with a smaller portfolio of $6MM. I can handle supervising a large range of employees and overseeing large budgets. Could you share with me the size of the team I would be leading in this particular role?"
Admin
"As an executive assistant to the president, I look after the EA to the VP as well as the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable person. I also lead large teams of volunteers on the weekends, as I am the local soup kitchen volunteer coordinator. I know how to distribute tasks very well and delegate according to the strengths of others."
Manager
"In previous roles, I have managed up to 60 direct reports. Currently, I lead 45 people; however, I also manage other teams that do not report directly to me. You mentioned earlier that this team consists of 40 direct reports and 20 temporary associates. I am more than capable of managing that volume, and more, as the company grows."
Marketing
"I have worked as a marketing freelancer, juggling many clients and vendors; however, with very few direct reports. For 6 years before starting my agency, I ran an entire marketing department. My team leadership experience spans all personalities and creative types. I am not shy to take the reigns and lead your team to deliver very successful campaigns."
Retail
"I supervise 6 full-time employees and 5 part-time associates with Company XYZ. I am the only manager in the department. Previously, in my role with Company ABC, I led 18 employees and shared responsibilities with an assistant manager. May I ask - how many staff members would I have the pleasure of supervising in this role?"
Sales
"Currently, I oversee a team of 5 direct reports. Each of these individuals leads a direct report of their own. So, ultimately, I oversee a team of 10. In the past, I've managed teams up to 20. I understand this team is comparable in size; yet with larger territory responsibilities. I come here with utmost confidence that I can manage this team efficiently."
Teacher
"Currently, I have a class of 26 students! This class is the largest that I have led, but certainly not the most rambunctious! Could you share with me how many students you expect to be in this class?"
23. As a manager, who has been your greatest influence?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to discuss some of the main influences you have had in your management career. Discuss who you admire and who you desire to emulate in your management approach. Many intelligent and inspiring thought leaders are available to teach you about leadership, workplace culture, people management and shape your management style. Describe a person that has defined what kind of leader you wish to be.
Answer Example
"The greatest influence in my career has been one of my professors from ABC university. Mr. Smith was my professor in Business Ethics, and I connected well with his teaching style. Even after graduating university, we kept in touch, and he has greatly influenced my coaching, teaching, and leadership style."
Admin
"The greatest influence in my career is the executive whom I currently support. He gave me a chance and employed me, even when I had minimal administrative experience and had come fresh out of school. I have worked very hard for him for 10 years. In turn, he has taught me a great deal about business and mindful leadership."
Manager
"The first CEO I reported to was a tremendous influence on my career. She helped form my passion for business early on, shaping me to become a better business leader along the way. I strive to be a leader who is fair and supportive yet able to uphold strong expectations. I work hard to exude great care for our customers and be mindful of the needs of my team members."
Marketing
"The greatest influence in my career as a marketer and a manager is Gary Vaynerchuk. He was one of the earliest adopters of social media and has helped millions of people desiring to stand out. I admire his approach with people and how he can be a mentor to teenagers who aspire to be entrepreneurs and seasoned executives who are well into a lucrative career."
Retail
"My second manager out of college, John, was my first and most influential mentor. I learned about the industry, how to manage a diverse set of personalities, and how to coach while maintaining professional friendships and strong rapport with employees. Even though I left that company over three years ago, I still joke that I follow the 'What would John do?' school of thought for many of my tough decisions. We still keep in touch, and I am grateful for his influence."
Sales
"I would say the biggest influence on my management style is my mom. She has been the leader of our household, taking charge and delegating tasks like a pro. At the same time, she delegates as appropriate and leads with compassion and kindness. She expects us to rise to the occasion and do our best for the family. This method is how I've chosen to lead my teams: with high expectations, kindness, and a desire to help everyone do their best."
Teacher
"As an educator, my greatest influence has been the teachers that I have had along the way. The good and the bad! I learn and develop by observing those around me and taking note of what I like and what I do not like. Then, I take what I like and build my own teaching approach and classroom philosophies."
User-Submitted Answer
"The greatest influence in my career is the executive whom I support. He gave me a chance when I had minimal business knowledge and management experience. I have worked very hard for him over the years, and in turn, he has helped shape my people and management style: get buy-in for your business plan and sharp focus on the execution of the roadmap."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice! Your answer also demonstrates your value of opportunity and growth. I would expand by discussing management, specifically. Did your executive model good management skills? What did you learn from him about managing? Do you have an example?
24. Tell me about one of your worst supervisors you have had. What character flaws did they possess that made them a poor leader?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know about your personal experience with poor leadership. As a manager, it is essential that you can recognize poor leadership and learn from the experience rather than adopt poor habits. Discuss with the interviewer how you can identify a weak leader versus a talented one. This question is an opportunity to discuss lessons learned, so be sure to avoid naming people specifically and degrading them professionally.
Answer Example
"When I was just 15, I took a job as a salesperson in an athletic shoe store. The manager we had was not well trained and thought he needed to demand respect to be a good leader. This attitude created high employee turnover and low productivity. Even though I was very young, I learned a great deal from this experience. As a leader, one should never demand respect but should earn it."
Admin
"Earlier in my career, I had a boss who yelled all day long. When he wasn't driving the office's mood down in person, he would send rude emails. It was like a situation out of a movie! This boss believed we respected him, but really we all feared him. I learned very early on in my career that a leader should be kind and approachable. Fear and respect are two very different things."
Manager
"We are all flawed, and that is the beauty of being human. One of the most challenging supervisors I have had was a person who always operated in a reactive mode. They could not anticipate change and solve problems before they manifested. This situation was difficult, but it grew my desire to be a proactive leader who could handle roadblocks with poise and grace."
Marketing
"I have not had a bad boss, but I did have a professor who was challenging. He was always late, would rarely hand assignments back in time, and left many students hanging. It was my first taste of relying on someone who never delivered. I operate completely differently than that - many thanks to this particular example I had early on."
Retail
"When I worked in a restaurant in high school, a new manager came in and seemed to think that to be taken seriously, she needed to be especially rough with the staff. I believe her tactic was intended to be hard at first, gain respect, then ease up. However, she was so off-putting that most of the staff quit. As a new manager now, I can appreciate her dilemma with being taken seriously. However, I quickly learned that being rude is not necessary. I believe there are efficient ways to gain the respect of my team while still letting my friendly personality shine."
Sales
"I once worked with a new VP of Sales hired to bring clarity and unity to the team. He ended up being a busybody who was more interested in making friends than learning the industry and leading a successful team. This situation was frustrating as I felt it inhibited my growth potential as a salesperson. It seemed he was so busy making friends and being liked that he forgot his team members were looking to him for guidance and mentorship. This situation taught me always to be friendly and kind, but to be ready to lead my team and act as a mentor and influence rather than just a surface-level friend."
Teacher
"I have worked with many great teachers in my career; however, when I was first teaching, I was the TA for an educator who was ready to retire. She had one foot out the door, and everyone knew it. I did not appreciate her style because I felt that she should have retired and spared the kids that year of frustration if she was ready to go. I swore to myself that I would always remain engaged until the day I fully retire. My students deserve the best from me every day."
User-Submitted Answer
"We are all flawed, and that is the beauty of human dynamics. One of the worst supervisors I had, always operated in a reactive mode. They could not anticipate change and solve problems before they manifested. It made my desire to be a proactive leader difficult but shaped me into handling these types of situations better."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Good. The positive finish is a good idea, but be a little more specific. What did the experience teach you?
25. Why do you believe you will have success at this position?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know why you feel you are the correct fit for this role. This question presents an excellent opportunity to highlight the skills you possess and show the interviewer that you are the best choice for the position. When positioning your response, be as specific as possible and highlight the benefit to the hiring company.
Answer Example
"I believe I will be successful in this position because I am passionate about your organization's values and mission, which focuses on (discuss). I can see your vision and have already drafted ideas on how I can help the department and my new team achieve these goals. My organizational skills will be a major asset to you, and I also bring a strong track record of increasing sales and client retention (provide specific, measurable examples if you can)."
Admin
"I will be successful in this position because I understand your business, and I will bring the level of organization that you require for this role. I have created a 30-day plan for getting the paperwork back on track. In addition to this, I have experience in accounts receivable and am prepared to support your AR department."
Manager
"I understand your company is seeking a sales manager with a proven ability to lead a team of field sales reps. You seek a leader who can properly train, motivate, and encourage a boost in sales numbers while providing the tools for each team member to perform at their peak ability. My experience, and past results, align very well with this need. I am an experienced sales trainer, having trained over 50 successful outside sales reps this year alone. My teams' retention rate is the highest in my company. Over 80% of my team members have exceeded their goals for this quarter already. I am a passionate trainer and mentor who is very hands-on and approachable. I would love to bring these skills and traits to your company."
Marketing
"In addition to your need for a content writer, I am also highly experienced in social media and algorithms for a variety of platforms, including TikTok. Because of this knowledge, I will be able to help you maximize impact on every dollar spent - a factor that you mentioned the company is explicitly looking for in their next social media manager."
Retail
"Based on my experience as a manager in the same department at your biggest competitor, and my grasp of the industry trends that are up and coming, I believe I will see great success at Company ABC. I have developed solutions to the exact issues this team currently faces, and I look forward to leveraging that experience to help bring the store increased success."
Sales
"I am confident that I will be successful in this role based on my 6 years of supervisory and management experience, along with 4 lucrative years spent as an awarded salesperson with Company XYZ. I made the president's club and ranked in the Top 10% of performers company-wide each of those years. I have exhibited excellence in sales and have had a successful track record as a team leader. I feel I've had all of the preparation and training necessary to excel in this position and help the organization see its exciting growth plans come to fruition."
Teacher
"I will be successful in this role because I am a teacher and a coach. I have experience in both realms; as a mathematics teacher and a basketball coach. I take my love for competition into the classroom - a teaching method that my students are very responsive to."
User-Submitted Answer
"As a person who can learn new products and technologies on my own, I believe I will be able to transition into this position quickly. My entire career has been focused on customer service, which is what this team's function is. I believe I will be able to take the skills that I learned and help lead a team to deliver the highest level of support to your customers. Lastly, on a personal level, to support people who are saving other's lives would be extremely rewarding."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Your response is well rounded and enthusiastic - all factors that should make the interviewer very happy to hear.