Manager Interview Prep (Sample Questions and Answers)

Tell me about yourself and in particular the skills, qualities and attributes you posses that are a match for this management role?
If I had to describe myself in a few words, it would be that I am hard-working, professional, dedicated and committed to achieving the strategic aims and objectives of my employer through strong management skills. I have been working towards this position in management for a number of years now, and I have been waiting for a manager position to come up with your company in particular. I pride myself on setting high standards and feel you would be extremely pleased with my ability to not only motivate and lead my team, but also inspire them to be the best they can be and consistently improve the company we are working for. Finally, my desire to continually grow and improve means I will never sit still or stagnate in this management role, and I will always look to develop personally and professionally.'

Why do you want to become a manager with our company?
During my research into your company, three things stood out. Firstly, the way in which you strategically manage and run your business is exemplary. There are lots of positive comments made online about your organization, and this demonstrate you are a great company to work for who cares about the service it provides. Secondly, the 'latest news' section on your website tells me you are innovative and forward-thinking, which makes you even more attractive to work for. Finally, I want to stay in a management role for a long time and gain stability with my employer. You are clearly a leader in the industry and that fills me with confidence that I will be able to thrive in the role of manager and be able to contribute positively by leading the team towards achieving your company goals and targets.'

What are the qualities of a good manager?
Use positive words in your response. These should include:
Competent
Professional
Adaptable
Decisive
Good communicator and listener
Firm
Fair
Supportive to the team
Strategic in thinking

What are the qualities of a good manager?
The qualities of a good manager are many and varied, and in particular , you have to be totally focused on the aims and strategic goals of the organization you are working for.
In addition to this you need to be competent in your role, be willing to constantly evolve and develop and set a good example to your team.
You also need to be professional and adaptable, decisive a good communicator and listener be firm when required, fair, supportive, a visionary and also be strategic in your thinking.
I believe I posses all of these qualities and feel I would be a great manager for Capital One, if I am successful at interview today.

Describe your management Style?
- Decisive
- Firm
- Expects the highest standards
- Fair and approachable
- Supportive
- Continually evolving and want team to evolve

My management style is a combination of different key elements that are designed to achieve results. I am firm, and I am a manager who sets high standards.
I am also decisive in my decision making and someone who expects their team to continually improve, evolve and develop.
I achieve this by being supportive of my team, but at the same time I expect nothing but hard work and commitment from my team members.
I always strive to get the best from my team and will always deliver the best results for my employer

Give and example of a difficult team you had to manage?
Mention your most difficult team was some time ago. This demonstrates you now have the skills and experience to mange teams effectively with minimal problems.
Give an example where your learnt a tremendous amount from the situation, and this has served to make you a better manager.

Give and example of a difficult team you had to manage?
Perhaps the toughest team I had to manage was early days of being a manager. It was a fast and steep learning curve and I made some mistakes that I have since learned from.
The team had just lost a long serving manager and there were some people within the team who were set in their ways. I went in with new and fresh ideas and changed a number of things, perhaps too quickly.

The team made it difficult for me to implement the changes I wanted to make and the team meetings I held were a laborious and challenging process. However, I preserved, learned from my mistakes and managed to eventually turn things around. I started to get the team on board and listened to their ideas and suggestions.

After a few months of hard work we had the best performing team within the organization and it was the start of a very productive environment where every body felt valued and appreciated.

I learned a tremendous amount from that experience and whenever I go into a new team now I have a set approach that works well.

What do you like about managing people ?
Mention that the difficult and challenging parts are the best elements of managing people.

I love to see people develop through my coaching and motivational skills. My aim is to get the most out of people regardless of their experience or age.

The best thing about managing people is that everybody is different and therefore as a manager you have to adapt your coaching and motivational skills to suit each person within your team.

I enjoy carrying out regular appraisals with my staff to ensure they have what they need to perform to the best of their abilities, but also holding them accountable for their work.

As a manager how would you persuade people to do what you want?
- State that you are a good negotiator and that you feel you have the sills required to motivate and encourage your team to share the company's vision.
- Give a specific example of how you persuaded someone to follow your lead.
I believe I am good negotiator and I have the ability to motivate and persuade people to share and follow my vision.
For example while managing a team recently during a difficult project, a senior member of the team made it clear he did not believe the path we were taking was the correct one.
I took the time to listen to his concerns and made him aware that I valued his seniority, experience and opinions. Once I listen to his views, i then explained why I felt his suggested route would not work. I provided evidence based on my experience why his suggested route would not work. I then began to explain why I felt my plan would work and that I needed him to be directly involved in order for it to be a success.
I requested him to take a proactive role in managing part of project and explained to him how this expertise would be integral to the successful delievery of the project.
By empowering him and by utilizing his experience and skills, I managed to win him round and he helped to successfully deliver the project on time and within budget.

How would you monitor the performance of your staff?
Conduct regular appraisals to monitor performance and also hold your team accountable.
To find out there strengths and weaknesses to then identify what they needed to perform their duties to the standard required. By also setting deadlines for completion.
By motivating staff and make them feel valued by listening to them and providing support, training and guidance where appropriate. As well as praising staff when they work well.