Manager Interview Questions

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When was the last time you had to deal with an underperforming employee, and how did you handle it? See answer
How would you describe the most important contributions of a manager in the workplace? See answer
How long have you been a manager and how many employees have you managed?
How would your employees describe your management style?
How has your management style changed as you’ve gained more experience?
What is a common area where you think managers falter?
How do you handle your mistakes as a manager in the workplace?
What strategies do you use to motivate your employees’ productivity?
Have you ever had to layoff employees due to budget cuts? How did you make your decisions?
What would you do if an employee had an idea to maximize efficiency within the workplace?
Can you give me an example of a time where you needed to relay information from upper management to your employees?
How would you address recurring customer complaints with an employee?
What process would you use to evaluate a job candidate’s qualifications for a role on your team?
What do you do to maintain professional boundaries with your employees while maintaining a personable nature?
How would you help your employees advance their skill sets and professional capabilities? Can you provide me with an example?
What are your thoughts on 360-degree performance evaluations in the workplace?

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8 Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

How long have you been a manager, and how many people have you managed?

A:

This question helps to gauge the amount of experience your candidate possesses, and if they have managed enough people to handle your team. It also opens the door for them to qualify they type of management experience they have, such as how hands-on the work was.

What to look for in an answer:

Confirmation of enough management experience to make an impact
Evidence of how many people the candidate has managed
Indications that they’ve taken on more responsibility over time

Example:

“I’ve been a manager for eight years. I started with a team of two writers six years ago at HTWW Magazine, and then I transitioned to my current role at HTWW Marketing with a team of five writers and two editors. In that time we added a project manager to the team, so I currently have eight direct reports who give me weekly status reports and receive project approvals from me.”

Q:

How would your direct reports describe your management style?

A:

This question allows the candidate to reveal how they interact with employees. You’ll be able to assess if their style is better for a casual office environment or high-paced, no-nonsense atmosphere — and what that means for their ability to succeed at your company.

What to look for in an answer:

Self-awareness
Indications that the candidate’s leadership style will match your office
Confidence in their ability to be flexible in their style as needed

Example:

“I am a somewhat hands-off manager. I like to give my team the tools they need to succeed and then let them do their thing. My staff tell me they appreciate the space I give them to make decisions, but I think they would also tell you I am there for guidance when they need it. I schedule monthly check-ins to find out about any challenges or ideas for change.”

Q:

How has your management style changed as you got more experience?

A:

Growth is an essential part of career development. This question probes how the candidate has learned and evolved as a manager.

What to look for in an answer:

Evidence of willingness to learn and evolve as a manager
Indications that their style will be effective for the team they would lead
Examples of why they’ve changed their style

Example:

“I used to be more likely to micromanage. I thought I could keep the best handle on my team and our success if I was in charge of every detail. What I’ve learned through feedback and experience is that my team can feel smothered if I am too involved, and they’re less likely to grow if they don’t have room to make choices and mistakes.”

Q:

What is a common way you see people fail as managers?

A:

This question evaluates whether your candidate has thought of management in terms beyond their own behavior. It helps you gauge whether they are able to consider the important principles required to successfully manage a team.

What to look for in an answer:

Awareness of what effective management looks like
Evidence they own their mistakes
Confirmation that they are aligned with your company’s expectations of management

Example:

“One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen managers make is being less than transparent. Of course, some decisions need to happen at the executive level, but the best teams are lead by someone who is honest and accountable. If a manager is not upfront about challenges or changes, they can lose the trust of their team.”

Q:

When was the last time you had to deal with an underperforming employee, and how did you handle it?

A:

Dealing with performance issues is a key responsibility of managers. Learning how your candidate deals with this sometimes uncomfortable task can tell you a lot about them.

What to look for in an answer:

Evidence they have experience handling employee performance issues
Indications they are comfortable with confrontation
Thoughtfulness regarding appropriate action for underperforming staff

Example:

“A few months ago one of my graphic designers began to have time management issues. As a result, he was turning things in late and the client noticed. I sat him down and we designed a plan for him to set new timeline goals and we took a few things off his plate that were slowing him down.”

Q:

How do you handle your mistakes in the workplace?

A:

How a manager deals with their own mistakes can impact their team and the company. This question lets the candidate reveal how they face adversity and take responsibility for their own miscalculations or other errors.

What to look for in an answer:

Evidence they are able to identify their own shortcomings
Awareness of the importance of self-correcting their mistakes as a leader
Indications they hold themselves to a high standard as a manager

Example:

“As a manager I think it’s important to have personal accountability. That sets the standard for the rest of the team. If I don’t admit and correct my own mistakes, how can I ask my direct reports to do it? When I know I made a mistake I apologize to the people involved and explain about how I will do better in the future. For instance, recently I sent the wrong report to a client. I corrected the issue by sending the right report and made a commitment to the director that I would better organize my desktop files to avoid the same mistake again.”

Q:

How would you describe the most important contributions of a manager in the workplace?

A:

Understanding their role in the company can help managers thrive. This question gets to the heart of how your candidate plans to use their role to contribute to your business.

What to look for in an answer:

Indications they have enough experience to understand the key elements of management
Evidence of a value system that makes them a good fit for your organization
Ability to prioritize the tasks of management

Example:

“I think keeping employees motivated and on track is one of the most important things a manager can do. We need to have our fingers on the pulse of what clients or customers need, but also the tools that our employees need to make magic happen. As a manager I think of myself as somewhat of a conduit between our clients and my direct reports. My role is to keep clients excited about our work and keep employees motivated and equipped to create exciting things.”

Q:

What strategies do you use to motivate your employees' productivity?

A:

Managers have the responsibility to oversee one or more departments and their employees. Their ability to lead and motivate employees affects several factors, including meeting sales numbers, adhering to deadlines and coming up with unique projects. This question gives interviewers the opportunity to decide whether a candidate has the experience and leadership skills to maintain or improve daily business operations.

The candidate's answer should emphasize:

Leadership capabilities
Creativity
Problem-solving skills

Here's an example of what a great response to this question could look like:

Example:

"Through my five years of experience as a manager, I have learned that each employee requires a different incentive or motivational strategy to enhance productivity. For some employees, they thrive on feedback, both constructive or positive, as it allows them to identify what they do well and what they need to improve on. Other employees receive motivation from the promise of a raise or employee of the month award.

When I start working with new teams, the first thing I do is have them fill out a survey about what motivates them in the workplace. Their answers dictate the types of strategies I implement in the office."

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