Describe the characteristics of a successful manager.

Stay positive when discussing previous managers. Do not trash talk past managers or colleagues. Instead, focus on your work style. Discuss how a previous supervisor helped you reach company or personal goals. If you stay upbeat and focused, you will stand out from other candidates. Before your interview, take some time to think of an example of a time your manager brought out the best in you. Reflect on the problem that was presented and how you and your supervisor worked together to create a viable solution.

"In my opinion, a strong leader has a clear vision and understanding of what it takes to get the job done. In my previous job, my lab supervisor helped the company and team achieve goals by focusing on these two important factors. This manager consistently communicated the big idea to team members. She was also excellent at assigning responsibility to specific individuals without micro-managing them. When we worked on a project, she assigned tasks and trusted our ability to perform and complete these tasks on time. I found myself working hard to meet the company objectives, yet I also had a clear understanding of my specific contribution to the ultimate goal."