In many cases, filling a management role is more challenging than finding candidates for entry- or mid-level positions. You may have a smaller pool of capable talent to choose from, and the impact of your hiring decision is typically greater with upper-level roles.
When you’re filling higher-level roles in your organization, asking the right questions during the interview process is essential. You need to ensure that the chosen candidate has what it takes to thrive in the position, as a bad hire at the management level can have severe consequences.
Fortunately, curating a reliable list of questions doesn’t have to be complicated. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here’s what you need to know about interview questions for management positions.
15 Awesome Interview Questions for Management Positions
First, it’s essential to recognize that every management position is different. As a result, you may need to tweak your interview questions to align with the nuances of the role or your industry.
However, the core of what’s being asked is generally the same. The goal is to determine if the candidate has the right skills and leadership capabilities to effectively guide their team in a way that aligns with the company’s vision.
In most cases, incorporating interview questions that focus on their past management experience is a solid starting point. It’s also wise to tap into topics that let you gather insights about their mentality and personality, which can lead to a stronger culture fit.
Here is a list of 15 awesome interview questions for management positions:
- Do you have prior experience as a manager, and if so, how many employees have you overseen at one time?
- How would you describe your leadership style, and has your management style evolved over time?
- Tell me about a time you had an underperforming employee. How did you handle the situation?
- Can you describe your most significant contributions as a manager in your last workplace?
- During your first 30 days in a new position as a manager, what, if any, changes would you make?
- How would you get to know your team during your initial days in a new position?
- What do you enjoy most about being a manager, and what do you find to be the most challenging aspects of being in a leadership position?
- What steps do you take to keep your team motivated and engaged?
- If an employee disagreed with one of your decisions, how would you handle it?
- What approach do you use to relay information given to you by upper management to your team?
- In your previous managerial roles, how did you help your employees grow and develop?
- What’s your approach to feedback delivery?
- How do you evaluate your team’s performance, both as a whole and in regard to individual team members?
- If there was a conflict between two team members that was impacting an important project, how would you address it?
- How would your last team describe you as a manager? What would they say are your strengths and weaknesses?
Ultimately, all of the management interview questions above can let you gather necessary details, allowing you to make a hiring decision with greater ease. If you’d like to learn more or are seeking skilled management candidates, TempStaff can help. Contact us today.