Ace for your next interview with practice tests inspired by artificial intelligence. This article has interview questions for management roles and a guide for answering these questions. Then, you can take a mock interview unlimited times for free where you will get personalized interview feedback by AI-smart software.
A management role comes with a lot of responsibilities. If you get an interview call for the position, you are likely to have some prior experience. Even if you have experience, every interview is different so make sure that you are prepared. Preparation ensures that you stand out from other candidates and leave a memorable impression on the interviewer.
You can start preparing for the interview by considering the questions you are likely to be asked. It is impossible to know the exact questions the interviewer will ask, but some common questions are most likely to be a part of the interview.
Common Interview Questions for Managers
The first step to prepare for the interview is to figure out the common questions. Here are some questions along with helpful advice for answering them in the best way.
Common interview questions for managers
The question lets the interviewer know more about your role and contributions in the previous job. It also tells them how well you can handle difficult situations.
While sharing your biggest accomplishment make sure that you relate the discussion to the role you are applying for. Make sure you take a look at the job description so you know what things to highlight.
Discussing failure is difficult, but it is a common question because interviewers want to see how you are going to react. The key to answering the question is using honesty. Make sure you are honest but pick a small failure as you are trying to impress the interviewer. Never blame others for the things that went wrong. Always mention how you fixed the issue and things you learned from your failure.
Which management style do you prefer?
The interview for the role of managers is focused on finding whether the candidate will fit in the organization or not. They want to know how you communicate, work, and make decisions. The interviewer wants to know whether you prefer a hands-off approach or like to take control.
To add credibility to your answer, make sure that you back up the aspects of your management style with examples. Examples help in painting a clear picture of the style you prefer and let the interviewer know whether you are a good choice for the position or not.
Managers have to make decisions all the time. Some decisions are easy to make but there are times when they have to make uncomfortable decisions. The interviewer asks this question because it helps in understanding whether you have decision-making power or not.
Answer the question with a real-life example. Explain the process you went through while making the decision. Describe the things you considered while concluding.
What is your way of dealing with stressful and pressure situations?
Difficult decisions are part of a manager’s job. Managers are under a lot of pressure to perform and deal with stressful situations with grace and ease. The question is meant to tell the interviewer about your ability to deal with stressful situations and handle pressure.
The answer must demonstrate your ability to take on stressful situations in a positive way. Mention the steps you take to manage stress like organizing, clearing your mind, doing stress-managing exercises like deep breathing, etc. To elevate the answer you should also mention the techniques you use to make sure a stressful situation is a rarity in the future. Sharing an example of a stressful situation you managed to deal with effectively.
What is your approach to delegating work to the team?
This is an important question in an interview for a management position, so make sure you are prepared to answer it. The interviewer wants to hear that you are good at delegating tasks. Managers are supposed to divide tasks effectively and fairly to keep things running smoothly.
Use the past projects you have worked on as examples and explain the processes you used for delegating the work. Do not forget to mention the good results you achieved because of your efficient delegation.
What is your technique for motivating people?
The managers play a crucial role in determining the performance of the team. To ensure they do their best, the manager needs to maintain high morale.
Start your answer by emphasizing the importance of high morale and follow it with the methods you use. Highlight any unique incentives you have used and the ways you used to manage different personalities. Mention the results you have achieved from the techniques you used as it adds credibility to your answer and makes it more impressive.
Where do you think you will be in the next five to ten years?
The interviewer wants to know about the candidate’s career goals. It tells them whether the interviewee is dedicated and motivated or not. The question also allows the interviewer to check if you are likely to stay with the company for a long time or not.
If you do not have the exact answer then do not get flustered. All you need to do is, to be honest, but keep it broad. To avoid red flags make sure you show your enthusiasm for the specific role and mention that you are interested in a long-term career.
Interview Questions for Managers Conclusion
Interviews offer a short amount of time to leave a good impression on the hiring manager. Make sure that you research essential questions for leadership and management interview. Knowing how you will answer them will help in keeping you calm and getting through the interview with confidence.
Sam Najar, MBA
MBA from the Australian Institute of business. Over a decade working for IBM Australia and Oracle Europe and the Middle East. Worked on Artificial Intelligence technology for many years and believes that technology can help everyone better understand his/her personality and find the job they deserve.
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