How many people did you supervise at your last position?

"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?"

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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?"

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.

"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?"