Interview Questions & Answers Guide for most common Management

Questions
NB. It’s recommended to modify your answers based on the situation
and interviewer personality

1. How do you handle the pressure?

I stay calm under pressure and handle it well. My complete focus is on the job done.

2. How do you motivate yourself?

I am very self-motivated. I enjoy my work, so I am always looking for new ideas to bring to the table.
With my passion being the work that I do, I am always giving my full potential to all my tasks.

3. Why are you leaving your current position?

There isn't much growth opportunity at my current workplace, and I'm ready for a new challenge.

4. What is the most challenging thing about being a manager?

The most challenging thing about being a manager is also the most rewarding. It is easy to handle your
performance, however, as a manager, you are responsible for your teams. So you must continually
measure their performance, set clear expectations, goals, motivate them, and keep them focused. It is a
great feeling to be able to accomplish this.

5. How do you manage your workload?

I prioritize my task by what is most important and urgent to least important and urgent. If there are
some tasks that I can assign to others, I will also delegate.

6. What kind of work environment do you prefer?

I am flexible to my work environment. I can adapt according to almost any situation.

7. Do you take your work home with you?

I know the importance of getting work done in a timely manner. So when I need to, I will take work
home with me if needed.

8. Why did you apply for this position?

I wanted to join a company like ABC that values their employees and helps them achieve their potential.
This position is a great fit for my current skills, so I will be able to contribute to the company
immediately. There is also an opportunity to continue to develop my abilities to the next level and help
in company's continued success.

9. What do you think your employees would say about your management style?
They would say that I'm straight-forward and my actions are aligned with the goals of the company.
They would say that I am an open communicator and give them the tools they need to succeed.

10. What are qualities of a successful manager?

A successful manager must also be a leader because that is how you can motivate and influence your
employees to perform at their peak ability. A manager must also have the vision to take the team and
company.

11. How do you motivate your employees in tough times?

I believe that as a leader, I have to be the one who is constantly driving an atmosphere of

positivity and focus. I make sure that I am acting and saying positive things about my

employees. I remind them daily of the goals and celebrate as we accomplish them.

12. How do you delegate an important assignment to others while ensuring that it will be

completed successfully?

I try to match up the strengths of my employees with the task or if it is something they are

learning. If it is the latter, I will provide support and check in to ensure that it’s completed

correctly. With an employee that is strong in the task, I will check in periodically. Either way, I

set up milestones for the employee to let me know how they are progressing.

13. Do you have an example of when you motivated your staff using a reward?

I communicated the reward and the goal to the staff and ensured they understood how to win

the reward. Then on a daily basis, each employee had to keep track of their progress with the

rest of the team. That kept each member personally accountable for the reward. This gave an

additional motivational piece for them to complete the goal.

14. What are some of your weaknesses?

I have started multiple projects at one time. I know that it is more productive to complete one

task at a time. So anytime I catch myself doing this, I take a step back and prioritize my work.

15. What type of pace do you work?

I keep a steady pace. This way I am being efficient with my time and going at a pace that I do

not make mistakes.

16. What do you think will be the most challenging part of this position?
It will be to build the relationship with my employees because that will take time. However, I also

feel it is one of the most rewarding part of this position. I enjoy relationship-building and helping

others to achieve their success.

17. Why should we hire you?

(Refer to the job description for this question) You need a manager who is confident, goal driven,

and can motivate your team. I have those qualities and will be able to take the team to

the next level that your organization needs.

18. How do you keep updated on your management skills?

I continually read a book about the subject matter. I listen to feedback that I receive from my leaders
and implement them. When opportunities arise that will provide a challenge to my

current skills, I will take on the task.

19. What do you think are important aspects of a team?

To have a diverse group of people who have a basis of trust and respect for each other. The

communication level must be high and the ability to work together as a team.

20.Do you have experience with setting budgets?

Yes, I have set budgets in the past. I look at what the typical cost for a certain activity would be

based on history or other manager's experience. I set the budget based on these metrics.

21. What was the least rewarding part of your previous position?

Some of the paperwork that I would handle for another department on an occasional basis.

22. What will you contribute to this company?

I will contribute my experience and knowledge. I have vision. Moreover, I have necessarily

experienced in the areas that this company will need to grow and I have a plan that will facilitate

that growth.

23. What is your greatest strength?

My greatest strength would be my ability to drive my team to excellence. I give them all the tools

they need to be successful, communicate on an open level, and constantly evaluate

performance.

24. How would you go about delivering bad news or a decision that will not be popular?

I would state the news, the reasons behind the news/decision, and I would focus on the
positives. I would also take time to ask questions or feedback and answer accordingly.

25. How do you establish rapport with a new employee?

I will have an initial one on one meeting with the new employee to let them know what my

expectations are and also learn about how they like to be managed. That's a way I will

understand how to be effective when I communicate with them.

26. How do you communicate an expectation to an employee?

I make sure that there are no distractions when I am speaking to the employee. We will meet on

face to face, and I will clearly state what the expectation is. I will ask if they have any questions

and ask them to re-state it, so we are on the same page.

27. How do you go about coaching an employee who is not performing where they need

to be?

I will go over what the expectation of their performance is and show them where they are

currently at. I will ask them what they think they can do to help improve their performance.

Depending on what their response is, I will offer additional suggestions and reinforce my

confidence that their performance will improve if they take suggested actions. At the end of the

conversation, I would set the expectation that their performance must improve.

28. How do you manage the performance of your employees?

Me and the employee, together, will create achievable goals based on the company goals and

their own goals. On a regular basis, I will give feedback to my employees on how they are

performing.

29. A high-performing employee has recently been under-performing. How would you

deal with the situation?

I would show them their performance history so they can see the drop in their performance. I

would then ask them why it has changed. I would reaffirm my commitment to help the employee

get back on track and offer actionable steps. I would ask for the employee's input as well and

draw an action plan for improvement based on this.

30.When you enter a new workplace with new employees, how would you go about

gaining rapport with them?

I would meet them all on a one on one basis as soon as possible. I would use that time to get to
know each employee individually. I would ask them what their strengths and what they want out

of the manager. That way I can adjust my style to each employee accordingly.

31. How do you handle conflict with two employees?

I would diffuse the situation by speaking to each employee individually about the situation. After

understanding each side, I will find some mutual solutions for the conflict. Then I bring both the

employees together and mediate a resolution.

32. How do you handle failure?

I take failure as a learning experience. I go back and understand why I failed. That way I can

ensure that I don't make the same mistakes again.

33. How do you solve problems?

I find out as much as possible about the problem. Then I look at all possible solutions. If there

are others who may have some valuable input, I will also find out what their thoughts are. Based

on this information, I will choose the course of action that will be the most effective.

34. Describe how you would manage your work week.

I would use Monday to come in early and prioritize my work for the week. I will set up deadlines

and goals for each day of the week. I would make sure that I allocate some time each day for a

certain task that may come up. That way, I have a plan of attack for each day of the week and

also time to handle unexpected activities.

35. How would you explain your management style?

I am a relationship builder. I get to know my employees and gain their trust and confidence. I

am very direct and to the point in my communication style so there is no ambiguity in my

messages.

36. How would you go about disciplining an employee who is continually underperforming?

I would have given them the opportunity to improve their performance first and set those

expectations. In this conversation, I would also ensure they understand what will happen if they

do not improve their performance.

However, if they are still under-performing, I would refer to the guidelines of the organization

first to take the necessary action steps. Then I would meet with the employee and show them

how they have not been performing.

expectations and a plan to improve performance. If the performance issues continue, then we

will continue the disciplinary steps.

37. How do you handle different personalities of your employees?

I get to know each person on an individual level so I can adjust my style to suit each person

effectively. It's a positive thing to have people with different personalities because you can get a

lot of different viewpoints that are valuable for ideas and decision-making.

38. How do you adapt to change?

When a change occurs, I ensure that I have all the information about it first. I understand all the

implications and the possible reactions to the change. As a manager, you must be the first to

adapt to the change, so I adjust accordingly. Then after communicating the change to my

employees, I help them improve and show my buy-in to the change.

39. What do you find most rewarding about your previous position?

I found it very rewarding to help my employees achieve success and move on to different roles.

There is nothing more satisfying than watching someone grow and achieve their potential.

40. Have you ever challenged the status quo?

Yes, I looked at processes that have not been successful, to find ways to improve that process.

Once I have my plan, I will take it to my leader. I keep to the facts and show how the current

way of doing is not effective and how a new approach would be beneficial.

41. How would you handle a decision that you made that did not have the effect that you

were expecting to achieve?

I would trace the root-cause and try to minimize the damage. I would then take this as a

learning opportunity and try a different solution for the current problem. However, if it is not

possible to do this, I would ensure that I do not take the same decision in a future situation.

42. How do you evaluate what success is?

At work, I evaluate success by meeting the goals that have been set forth by my leaders and

team.

43. What are your goals for the future if you are hired in this company?

To continue learn and take on additional responsibilities. I see myself contributing as much
value as I can.

44. How will you achieve these goals?

This company has training for their employees that I would be interested in attending. I also plan

to continue my professional development by attending seminars, continuing my education, and

other activities.

45. How would you go about disagreeing with your supervisor about a decision that you

know is not the right one?

I always build a strong working relationship with my supervisor so, in situations like these where

I have a different opinion, I can openly speak to them. I would stick to the facts. I explain the

implications of that decision to my supervisor. Then I would help come up with alternatives.

46. How do you show confidence in your employee's ability when you assign them a

task?

When I delegate the task, I talk about, how I thought that they were the best person to handle

this task. I give them all the resources they need to achieve success. I follow-up and set

deadlines as well. During these follow-ups and deadlines, I make sure to show my confidence in

the person on their progress.

47. An employee reports a problem to you, how do you go about solving it?

I will review all the relevant facts to consider alternatives. I will then decide on the most

appropriate action.

48. How do you motivate an employee who is reluctant to take on an additional task?

I take a look at their needs and perspectives to understand why they are reluctant. I would

ensure that they have all the tools necessary to complete the task I would communicate the

goal, gain commitment, and establish a reward or incentive that will motivate the employee.

49. You are at a point with an employee that it is best to have them leave the

organization. How would you go about the conversation?

I would clearly state what the expectations from this person have been and the track record so

far. I would tie that in with the decision that it is time to let them go from the organization due to

performance goals not being met. In these situations, it’s important to stick to the facts.

50. An employee wants a promotion, however, he or she is not qualified for the new
position. How would you have the conversation with the employee?

I would sit them down and let them know what the qualifications are for the position and explain

the reasons why they are not ready for the position. Then we would work with the employee to

put together an action plan that will help them work on the skills they would need for the

position. I would regularly check on how they are progressing to ensure they are on the right

track.