Are you looking to springboard from your entry-level role into a management position? If so, then here are 10 management interview questions and answers for you to practice.
1. What does management mean to you?
The interviewer is trying to find out your philosophy on management with this question. The best strategy here is to do some homework on the company’s core values beforehand, and tailor your answer to align with those values.
2. What does success mean to you?
There is no cookie-cutter answer for this question. The best way to handle this question is to define your version of success- I’d suggest using a mind map.
3. How do you feel about failure?
This question is the antithesis to the previous question. You can use the same strategy as above to brainstorm some ideas. Just make sure that you frame failures as “growth opportunities” and you’ll be fine.
4. How would you handle an unhappy team member?
With this question, the interviewer is trying to get a feel for your style of “putting out fires.” This is another question for which doing homework on the company’s core values is important. A company that values teamwork isn’t going to want an authoritarian management style.
5. Describe your relationship with management at your last position
This is a trap question. It’s really designed to disqualify candidates by seeing if they’ll divulge any problems with authority or symptoms of somebody who goes on a power trip when they get authority. Give a political answer here that focuses strictly on your professional relationship.
6. What makes you want to be a manager?
This question is designed to separate those who want to be in management because they think it is less work from those who have true leadership qualities. Mention a thirst for leadership and a desire to build and lead a team and you’ll have no problem with this question.
7. Name a time you were a leader in the workplace
Don’t get caught off guard with these example-based questions. Prepare and study a few concrete examples of your displaying leadership qualities before you go to any management interview.
8. In your eyes, what makes a good leader?
There’s really no specific wrong answer here, but it does leave the potential for spilling too much information. Keep this answer short and sweet. Make a list of your 10 best leadership qualities before your interview and pick 5 or so for this answer.
9. How would you build a relationship with your team?
Be tactical with this question. Even though there’s nothing wrong with taking your team out for happy hour after work, it may not be the best answer for an interview. This is another question where a firm grasp of the company’s core values gives you an advantage.
10. What is your biggest weakness?
This is a question that comes up regardless of industry or position. Give a weakness that you can frame as a “growth area” and don’t ramble.
Do any of our readers in management positions have anything to add to our list of management interview questions and answers? Let us know via Twitter
