MockQuestions

First Time Manager Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your first manager job interview, here are 40 interview and answer examples.

New Manager was updated by on March 13th, 2024. Learn more here.

Question 25 of 40

Tell me about the last time you took the initiative to mentor someone on something.

"When I was training to be a supervisor in my current role, and I was leading a team, I would do my best to balance keeping my finger on the pulse on how things are going without micromanaging and trusting my team to be self-managed in their work. I need to show them I trust them, while ensuring I retain their trust. But, on occasion, you can get a feeling for when someone is struggling to keep up. It's the stress that crinkles their forehead or makes their shoulders ride up. So, you passively check in on them, and ask how things are going, see their progress on whatever they're working on, and then offer suggestions. Last week, this same situation unfolded. I asked them about their approach to tackling the work, and they were performing tiny tasks then trying to piece them together as a whole, which was resulting in rework and slowing them down. I asked them if I could show them the approach I developed after struggling with similar issues. They agreed and swiftly adopted my approach. Soon, they were constantly asking for feedback and tips. Over the next month and a half, their productivity soared."

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How to Answer: Tell me about the last time you took the initiative to mentor someone on something.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Entry-Level Manager job interview.

  • 25. Tell me about the last time you took the initiative to mentor someone on something.

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      The interviewer wants to see what your approach is to developing others on your team and motivating them to perform at their best. As President John Quincy Adams said, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." However, new managers frequently struggle with the balancing act of monitoring the productivity of their teams without micromanaging them, being too hands-off. Studies show those teams who retain job satisfaction are trusted to be self-managed in their work, are provided the tools necessary to do their job well, and the development necessary to excel.

      Written by Kevin Downey on February 27th, 2024

      Answer Example

      "When I was training to be a supervisor in my current role, and I was leading a team, I would do my best to balance keeping my finger on the pulse on how things are going without micromanaging and trusting my team to be self-managed in their work. I need to show them I trust them, while ensuring I retain their trust. But, on occasion, you can get a feeling for when someone is struggling to keep up. It's the stress that crinkles their forehead or makes their shoulders ride up. So, you passively check in on them, and ask how things are going, see their progress on whatever they're working on, and then offer suggestions. Last week, this same situation unfolded. I asked them about their approach to tackling the work, and they were performing tiny tasks then trying to piece them together as a whole, which was resulting in rework and slowing them down. I asked them if I could show them the approach I developed after struggling with similar issues. They agreed and swiftly adopted my approach. Soon, they were constantly asking for feedback and tips. Over the next month and a half, their productivity soared."

      Written by Kevin Downey on February 27th, 2024

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