7 Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

Some supervisors are responsible for hiring, while other companies leave those decisions to department heads and HR. This question will reveal if the candidate has had the responsibility of hiring, and how they would handle it even if they've yet to do it.

What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence they know what to look for in a good hire
• Awareness about the steps required to build a solid team
• Indications they are motivated to take part in the hiring process

Supervisors need to feel comfortable making decisions, even if they serve under a department manager. This question allows the candidate to illustrate their ability to step up and make important calls as needed.

What to look for in an answer:

• Confirmation they feel comfortable making decisions independently
• Evidence they have taken on more decision-making responsibility over time
• Confidence in their thought process behind making important choices

How a supervisor is able to mesh with their team can make or break their success at your company. This probing question will reveal if they're a good culture fit for a supervisory role.

What to look for in an answer:

• Self-awareness about how they are perceived by other employees
• Indications they have asked their direct reports for feedback
• An alignment with your company culture

Learning to adapt management styles and techniques can create an exceptional supervisor. This question helps you figure out if the candidate is able to receive feedback and adjust their style if needed.

What to look for in an answer:

• Indications their supervision skills have grown over time
• Proof they have received feedback well and adjusted their style as necessary
• Confirmation they are self-aware about their need to evolve

One of the best things a supervisor can add to your team is keeping other employees excited about their work and prepared to give every day 100 percent. Learning how the candidate approaches this task will tell you a lot about how prepared they are to take on the role.

What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence they have been in charge of successful teams
• Willingness to adjust their motivation techniques as needed
• Understanding of their role as a supervisor in regards to morale

Supervisors are often expected to resolve issues between their direct reports to avoid escalation. This question gets to the heart of the candidate's ability to negotiate conflict on their team.

What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence they have handled employee disputes in the past
• Confirmation they have had success resolving issues on their previous teams
• A style of resolution that aligns with your company culture

Unfortunately, even good employees can falter sometimes and you need a supervisor to be able to identify poor performance and address it. This question gives the candidate a chance to prove they know how to manage the task.

What to look for in an answer:

• Indication they understand the importance of setting employee goals and standards
• Evidence they know how to cultivate talent in their staff
• Proof they feel comfortable addressing problems on their team