Manager Interview Questions

Here are some popular manager interview questions to help you prepare for your important management interview. There is no substitute for good preparation to handle such interviews so start preparing well. A good place to begin is to be well organized about your personal facts and figures and prepare your answers for commonly asked questions. Given below are some frequently asked manager interview questions for which you can write down your answers. Make the answers positive, responsible, honest and factual. Practice the answers before a mirror or a third person and get some feedback. Here goes.

1. Please tell us about yourself.

Briefly and lucidly cover the facts relating to your life – your early background, education, work experience and last job.

2. What do you know about our organization?

You answer could include information about the promoters, products or services, sales figures, profits, share prices, recent news, history and business philosophy or reputation.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

Find the best fit between your career goals and the organizational goals. Substantiate both by some research.

4. What makes you so special? Why should we hire you?

Because you are the best person for the job. Skills, attitude, results, past experience, dreams and ambitions – all point to that. If you can identify any particular work situation that you can handle best with respect to this organization, spell it out.

5. What do you look for in a job?

Growth, challenge, opportunity, satisfaction, desire to excel.

6. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Use your experience and your expertise to answer this one realistically.

7. What is your management style?

Temper your answer with the knowledge of the company’s management style. After all you would have to fit into this environment.

8. Do you have the potential to take upon the responsibility of top managerial positions?

Of course! But cite examples. Speak of your experiences and leadership qualities and how they would stand you in good stead at the top.

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

Making the best use of available resources to meet or exceed targets is the most challenging thing about being a manager.

10. What trends do you see in our industry?

With some good preparation you can answer this question easily. The key is to be prepared of course.

11. Why are you leaving your current/last job?

Maintain the highest level of professionalism while answering this type manager interview questions. The job may not have been challenging enough, you may have wanted better growth prospects, the fit between your career goals and the organization goals was not right or whatever else. Don’t speak down on the organization or the people. Such talk only reflects on you.

12. What is the salary that you expect?

Spell out a range. But seriously, before the interview, do your research on the kind of a salary you could expect and then stick to a range you are comfortable with.

13. What are your long-term goals?

Have them ready with you. But spell out those that are aligned to the organization’s long-term interests in hiring you.

14. What action would you take if you joined the company?

Prepare for this manager interview question on a tactical and strategic level. Time frames and results.

15. How do you motivate employees? How do you reward employees? How do you fire employees?

Think of your best experiences either as a boss or as a subordinate to answer these questions.

As you can see, these manager interview questions are indicative. There is no such thing as being prepared ‘enough’. Do not leave any stone unturned. Look for all the facts and figures, write down your answers, identify uncomfortable areas and look at them thoroughly. Practice your answers until you feel confident about them. Finally, it is your conviction that sells your case.

Good luck!