Manager Mock Interview

Practice 32 Manager interview questions covering leadership, team dynamics, and strategic decision-making.

Question 4 of 32

Discuss a time you managed an employee with a behavioral problem. What was their behavior, and how did you correct it?

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Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.

The interviewer wants to learn about your management style concerning delinquent employees. Perhaps you have a system in place for handling recurring behavioral issues. Confirm with the interviewer that you can approach a situation like this head-on but professionally. Explain that you involve the human resources department when necessary and emphasize your documentation and reporting when tracking problematic behavior.

Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.

"Just last month, I had an employee who was late four days in a row. This behavior was very unlike them, so I pulled them aside and asked if I could do anything to help them get to work on time. I documented the late days to support our conversation. The employee's behavior was corrected immediately. I did not need to come down hard on this employee - I needed to address that I noticed their tardiness."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"If I had an employee with a recurring behavioral problem, I would have a one-on-one meeting with them and ask them point-blank what was causing the issue. There is no sense beating around the bush in situations such as that. Employees need to be accountable for their behavior, and a good manager will address a situation like this immediately."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I have addressed many behavioral issues in the workplace throughout my experience as a manager. The most severe was when I had an employee stealing from the company. I could not prove the infraction right away and had to involve the human resources department to ensure that my approach did not infringe on employee rights. I was able to put a stop to the theft and gather enough proof to terminate the employee. It was a challenge, but I believe following a process in these situations makes handling them easier."

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Anonymous Answer

When it comes to problematic behavior, it's important to address it head-on and begin documenting right away. Everything seemed fine until he made a mistake in documenting a sensitive report and as a result required re-training. He turned defiant and refused to accept responsibility. It was clear he was worried he would be terminated, and I set up a meeting for him to speak to the head of compliance on his own to address his concerns. I documented the issue with HR and followed up with the compliance department as well as set time aside to meet with my subordinate one to one. When someone is unsure about their job, they can behave in surprising ways.

Rachelle's Feedback

Very good point you make in the end! Your focus on documentation is incredibly important and should be appreciated by any potential employer.

Anonymous Answer

Late to work. Gossiping too much. Both were addressed by having one-on-one meetings.

Marcie's Feedback

Provide more specifics to make your answer more memorable to the interviewer. Talk about how often the employee was late to work and how you found out they were gossiping. Discuss what happened during the meetings and what the final outcome was. Avoid vagueness in your answer!

Anonymous Answer

I had an employee that would consistently not follow procedures for receiving materials. I would counsel them, work with them and give them the steps to make sure they understood. For a short period of time, they would improve. I would notate the Chronology log of every discussion we had, and the progress made, both good and bad. While working with our HR team, it was decided to put the employee on a Last and Final. Our intention was to help this employee overcome his errors. Unfortunately, it did not work out and I had to terminate the employee. As a lesson learned from this employee, the warehouse now has monthly training on processes within the warehouse to ensure that all employees know and are consistent in the way we do a procedure.

Experience

29.Do you have experience in corrective discipline and terminations?

Direct

30.Why are you seeking to leave your current position?

Accomplishment

31.Tell me about yourself.

Adaptability

Manager Mock Interview

Discuss a time you managed an employee with a behavioral problem. What was their behavior, and how did you correct it?

32Manager Interview Questions & Answers

1.If I were to interview the people who have reported to you in the past, how would they describe your management style?

2.If I were to interview those who report to you, what would they say is one of your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?

3.Rate your management skills from 1 to 10 with 10 representing excellent management skills. Why did you choose that rating?

4.Discuss a time you managed an employee with a behavioral problem. What was their behavior, and how did you correct it?

5.If you could buy any new skill what would it be?

6.How do you determine if your team is successful?

7.What has been your favorite management role so far? What made it so enjoyable?

8.What leadership qualities do you possess?

9.What immediate changes would you like to see, if you were hired for this management position?

10.For you, what is the most difficult aspect of leading employees?

11.Tell me about a manager you have had in the past and how you have modeled your behavior after them?

12.Tell me about a cost-cutting initiative you created at your last position. Was it effective?

13.What mistakes have you made when you hiring new employees? What have you learned from those mistakes?

14.What qualities and traits do you look for in a candidate when hiring?

15.Describe how you like to train new employees.

16.When has another manager criticized your work? How did you respond?

17.What do you expect from your own manager?

18.In any of your leadership roles, what was the toughest decision you have made?

19.What strategies do you use to motivate your team?

20.Who is your favorite influencer in the management or leadership space?

21.How do you handle the pressure of holding a management role? Give me an example of when you have succeeded under stress and pressure.

22.Have you ever had to enforce a company policy that you disagreed with?

23.What qualifies you to become our manager?

24.How would you handle a rude customer?

25.Tell me about a time you effectively delegated tasks.

26.What type of team members do you dislike working with?

27.Tell me about a time you provided honest feedback to a team member.

28.Tell me about a time there was a serious conflict with your team. How did you resolve it?

29.Do you have experience in corrective discipline and terminations?

30.Why are you seeking to leave your current position?

31.Tell me about yourself.

32.What is your greatest weakness?